The bottom line is that higher gas prices should result in lower consumption. Lower consumption equals lower CO2 emissions, and isnt that the most important goal?

I think you will find that oil and production prices, coupled with the tenfold increase in demand, is the most likely source of your double in prices. It is all pretty well outlined on the previous government of Canada studies on gas prices. Keep in mind that about 50% of the price you are paying is taxes. Thus, by far the largest recipient of revenues (profit) from gasoline sales is the government, or you and I.

If you believe oil and gas companies are making ‘unfair profits’, then why not invest some of your own hard earned income into their shares, or mutual funds who invest in oil and gas stocks. All the major US and Canadian Oil and Gas companies are publicly traded, which means their profits are distributed to the share holders. You could be one tomorrow. You dont have to be ‘rich’ to own shares.

Are oil companies making a killing? Yes, but extracting oil from places like the oil sands is also more expensive. I’ve also heard that processing plants are an issues (upgrades, maintenance etc…). I say, raise the prices more. In Vancouver, reports are that public transit usage is up 11% this quarter - great news. All a direct correlation to gas prices. I realize that the poor are getting hit hardest by this, but they also have the most to gain from not driving - I live below the poverty line and am doing just fine not driving as much and riding my bike.

All in all, increased gas prices will force people to change the way they live - if not, they will go bankrupt. I don’t feel sorry for any of them.

The trouble with high prices is they hurt the little guy more than the fatcat SUV drivers. Prices oughta be high enough that we who don’t make >75k think twice at least before drivin’ someplace we could walk to.

The gas guzzler lovers gotta be hit with a gas guzzler tax sorta like what Harpoon done but tough enough that it makes people quit buyin’ them dinoCaddies an’ Detroit quits churnin’ ‘em out.

JB

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Jay, I saw last night that they were going to blow past their signature target :-)

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Truth, I’m in favour of increased prices. I’m not in favour of exploitive prices, however. When I started buying gas 10 years ago, it was 54¢/L. Now it’s $1.21/L. Have oil and production prices more than doubled (accounting for inflation) since about 1997, I don’t know? I’d guess it’s gone up by maybe 75%, but who’s pocketing that extra cash? It’s not much different from raising cigarette taxes — sure some people will quit, but it hurts those who are dependent with no realistic way of quitting, while rewarding already very rich people.

As JB says, I’m for price increases, but not for to the point where the wealthy hurt nearly everyone else for their personal gain.

Whats REALLY more important to you?

My recommendation, if your going to get hooked on using something, make it a renewable resource.

Smoke more pot and drive less.

I can pretty much use that minnyvan whenever I want but I walk to most places. I see my neighbours drivin’ to the post office, bank, Chinese food joint, hardware store an’ hair saloon. I drive down to the supermarket about once every 10 days when we’re runnin’ low on grub.

Now, I ain’t fer oil companies gougin’ an’ makin’ bigass obscene profits. These oil outfits is pumpin’ loads o’ GHG’s in the air an’ they oughta be puttin’ them profits into clean green stuff instead o’ linin’ a few pockets an’ buyin’ off a few heads of state.

The public is cryin’ fer lower prices but prices ain’t the whole story. The Merkans already pay less fer gas than Yerpeans an’ Brits by a big margin. It’s been that way fer years. Somehow, the Yerpeans manage to drive their turbo diesel subcompacts an’ still make enough money to take twice as many vacation days as Merkans. Oh yeah, they got universal healthcare, too.

Merkans gotta pay their own way. I reckon that means higher gas prices an’ more walkin’ an’ better fuel economy an’ more alternative fuel use.

I ain’t fer oil company gougin’ but I ain’t fer lower gas prices, neither, so I won’t be signin’ the Merkan petition.

JB

The bad news: I can’t sign the petition because I am not an American. Nope, no SK for Saskatchewan. I would still want it to be revised to include Canadians as well before I did sign.