what is a counter argument for gas prices being lowered that has to do with the economy?
550626
Classic trickle down economics... this is pumping billions and billions into the hands of the upper class... when they spend money it will go to buy products produced by workers so it all eventually ends up in the pockets of the "little man" again...\n\nI do not buy this argument, because it is based on the upper classes intention to buy items... if they don't want to purchase anymore items than they normally do, then it doesn't help anyone...
1147879
Basically it comes down to supply and demand.  There is increasing demand for oil (mostly from developing countries like China and India, but demand in the US is increasing also).  OPEC is already producing near its capacity, coupled with no relatively new oil refineries having been built, this causes the an increasing demand against a slower (negligible) increase in supply of the refined oil used for gasoline.   Hurricane Katrina knocked out some production capacity which is still not completely up and running.  Also there are other less significant reasons such as the changing of fuel additives from mtbe to ethanol (this has been done for environmental reasons).  To put a few non-truths to bed...  The oil companies were NOT found to be doing any price gouging (illegally increasing prices beyond unreasonable economic fundamentals).  Second, everyone wants to blame President Bush for increasing prices when in fact he no longer has any personal investments in oil companies(he did this specifically to discredit these accusation most likely); in fact President Bush has probably more to lose from high oil prices than any other single individual alive.  He wants a strong economy, with little inflation and needs that help for party elections this fall.  If you want a specific group of people to blame, you should look at commodity traders themselves, they are the ones who control the international price changes from day to day and are the ones who fear supply disruptions (such as the one that occured in Africa, threats from Iran and Venezuela recently) and terrorists act which affect the flow of oil (the so called terror premium).
332984
Hmmm...Not really sure.\n\nI know that the "price freeze", if instituted by the government, would only apply to the actual sale of gas.  The price of oil COULD continue to rise (the foreign stuff (a LOT)), which would mean less of a profit for the oil companies, who buy the oil & refine it into gasoline.\n\nI can't exactly aswer your question, but a price freeze may not help.
381598
Best way to fight is go green- use alternative sources of energy and fuel. Walk or Bike, don't drive. Carpool. Stop buying fuel and the gas prices go down. Plus, fighting gas PRICES won't help. Sooner or later, it's gone- no matter what the price.
436434
Actually, gas prices in the US are artificially low.  We pay about 1/2 to 1/3 of Europe's prices.  Prices here fluctuate almost arbirarily, but also in accordance with supply and demand, and, of course, the price of oil.  It's precisely because we're in this war over oil that prices has gone up. War makes production and distribution a pain, to say the least.  Other oil producing nations, like Venzuela and Nigeria have also had political distruptions.
661414
Rising oil prices are a result of supply and demand and lead to a rise in inflation and ensuing unemployment.  The US needs to become less dependent on imported oil.  Alternative fuels and using less will bring the price down.  Everyone in the US needs to help!
353979
It is funny how people complain about the price of gas and then complain when the Pres. tries to do something to lower that cost. Lets here some solutions from the people who grip about everything he attempts to deal with. I have yet to hear a plan that is logical from anyone. Alternative fuels ,yes but where are the people at that are willing to fund the development of these fuels? The president can not force companies to make a new fuel source as that would not be free enterprise. Do you think the oil companies who's profits are way up are really going to work hard to come up with other sources? I would love for the US to go to ethanol but someone with more money than me will have to set up the refineries. This solution he is giving is not enough and I will agree with you there but it will take more than the Pres to fix this problem. I will be honest and say that I could do more to help like take public transportation, quit driving my truck, stop letting the grocery store us plastic bags for my purchases but I like these things. We need to Stop playing the blame game.
700666
Everyone knew that gas went down so they could keep their people in office and that it didnt matter which party won the gas prices will be going back up.The fact is the Republicans help the oil companies by kicking back corporate welfare and they planned on helping them any way they could.
346330
These "plans" are so stupid.  If you really want to do something that reduces the price of gasoline... you have to signifantly decrease the demand for oil.  That means not driving your car... at all.  Don't buy plastics or Rubber products ever.  Not just a few thousand people... it has to be 100's of millions of people.... then maybe... but\n\nNot going to happen... so forget it.
507433
Oil prices are set by the market.  In other words, if people are willing to spend $72.00 a barrel, then why would oil companies charge less.  The market corrects itself.  If the prices are too high, people will purchase less oil.  If the prices are too low, the miniscule profit margin that the oil companies already face will diminish.  That is why we pay what we pay.  It is what it is WORTH to buyers.  Simple as that.  If you want lower gas prices, take the bus for a while and wait until the market decides that oil is not worth as much anymore.
613084
◙ the only way to get gas prices to go down is for everyone to stop paying them. you can't blame them for their high prices. you can only blame yourself for paying them.\n\n◙ here in east moline illinois gas is $2.53 :)
936895
You didn't say "Whos" price.\nI suspect you meant the consummer.  But, there's a lot of people and governments which try to get a piece of that dollar you spend on gas(oline?)\n\nThe prime culprits are taxes, commodities speculators, and other countries.\n\nSo the real answer is "whatever the market will bear".\n\nIt makes no difference that oil companies may keep their costs at are below inflation - outside factors are pushing the "price at the pump" to the point where the consumer rebels..\n\n"What I did like in the story is the soundbite (phone interview) they had with the CEO of Exxon, who was quick to point out that they (Exxon) make about 10 cents profit per gallon, while 'big government' (my words, not his) makes at least 4 times that per gallon.".....\n\n"The problem is that NO ONE ever mentions, like I have before, that these billions in profits is only about 8% of their total income. That is actually one of the lowest profit percentages of all industries."
715634
Republicans cheat. Simply put. \n\nYou think it's a coincidence that gas prices have lowered? It's "strategery" as George Bush might say.  As soon as the elections are over, all these things will be back to the way they are. Saddam is a victim of American "democracy," like millions of others.
475568
I think that most Americans have stopped buying "unnecessary" fuel, but they are making more than enough money back off of just the necessary fuel (fuel that is needed for daily life, not all of us can walk to work/carpool)... if you have to have it, you have to have it... cuting consumption further isn't an option for most...\n\nSo what happens when capitiolism fails... seems like we are reaching that point with oil... increasing costs could have a crippling effect on our economy through inflation (especially if costs continue to go up)... is it worth it?\n\nThe reserves should have been released a while back... that's just silly, but that's also a Bush...
825130
gas and oil prices are determined by supply and demand on the world market.  Neither oil companies nor republicans control prices. Only thing they could do is build more refineries, which would result in greater supplies of gasoline, which would reduce prices further.  Liberals don't like refineries, because they think they cause pollution  and are beholden to the environmental lobbyists.  Oil companies don't build refineries, because they can't with govt approval and they're making big profits as things are, so there's no incentive to build them.
1121329
The price goes up when demand outpaces the supply of gasoline.  and that would mean if we as Americans drove smaller cars than suvs we would have less demand.  Also we need a new fuel source other than petroleum.
628324
Gas prices will never go down. You might see a small reduction after a massive increase, but $3 a pop is now the price. I bet you will see $3.50 a gallon by the end of summer.\n\nWith your suggestions I believe you think American corporate price gouging is the cause for high prices. Most people point to supply and demand. But if price gouging is a factor, I fear there is no solution.  That is what Capitalism is all about.\n\nMost of middle America hates the prices, but loves the profits they are accruing with stocks in their 401K. ExxonMobile made $10 million in one month, made $1 billion last quarter. ConnocoPhilips made about 1/3 that in profits as well.\n\nThere just aren't enough people in the country that don't profit from selling gas to go beyond complaining about the price.  A boycott will not work.\n\nThe only thing we can hope for is the Feds suspend their gas tax for awhile.\n\nEDIT:\nOn another note, we Americans are too damn hypocritical.  We want the world to be democratic & capitolistic, but when oil prices rise, we want our people and government to act more with socialism values.  People chanted in the streets "No blood for oil!" when protesting in the 1990's, but now Americans want their oil.  What the hell is wrong with us?