no guarantee that the tax break will be passed on to the consumer. Either the oil companies or retailers could price gas up and pocket the tax rebate.

I just want the SixPack.

Right, because corporations shouldn't have to pay their fair share.
Only us regular folks.
I'm still waiting to see my benefits from the President's wonderful economy plan that has been in place for 7 years now.
But I hear Exxon is doing great!

And lets be realistic here folks, THIS IS A POLITICAL PLOY! It's a scam! McCain is trying to get brownie points! You know how you lower gas prices? YOU DON'T [censored] OFF EVERY OIL PRODUCING COUNTRY IN THE WORLD WITH COWBOY DIPLOMACY!

Is uttering "change" every couple of breaths synonomous with brownie points?

Oh, that's right, how could I forget, it's all America's fault.

Right. Check. Thanks for the reminder.

And yet our chief source of petroleum is Canada, a close ally. Nice try!!!

I have seen plenty from the President's economic plan. I have seen years of a strong economy where I have been able to prosper, given that I did my part and did my work without sitting around hoping that things would land in my lap. And I came from quite humble beginnings too.

Corporations already pay a fair share of tax. When it becomes too much, they naturally cut expenses by cutting jobs OR moving operations to where it is profitable to operate. Just like you or any individual changing jobs when they pay you better.

A tax break for anyone is a tax break for the economy.

And don't forget, Democrats love America!

Joe Sixpack can spend his $4.60 per fillup savings on Iron City Beer. Why? Because frankly, if he can't hold a job, he isn't going to help the economy. This kind of tax cut to stimulate the economy isn't aimed at the wopping 4% of the population who are unemployed. It is aimed at people who WILL spend money.

I'm sure Sen. McCain means well, but, it is frankly more of a symbolic gesture than anything. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve has a maximum storage capacity of 727 million barrels. We currently have over 700 million barrels in it, and haven't drawn from it in more than a year. We're going to have to stop 'supplying' it pretty soon anyway.

so would you say that the oil economy is micro rather than macro then?

Try this for the next few weeks: Whenever someone says "...reduce our dependence on foreign oil.", automatically add the phrase "because we cannot trust Canada."

Ok - lets all take a long deep breath and relax for a minute - of course we are all getting "raped" with gas prices, and those gas prices are making everything else go up,etc etc etc but did you ever stop to think "Why hasn't the government put a stop to this price gauging?" Quite simply...money. Too many politicians have their hand in the pot. This will not stop, it will only get worse before it gets better. The oil executives are getting richer and richer and their crumbs are falling to the politicians. Yes, any little price break would be great - even one that is "only $4.60". Hey, its money I wouldn't have had before. Which brings me to another argument - We as americans are spenders...not savers, so to those of you that think 4.60 is nothing: well, I agree, it is not alot, but you go to adding that up over a year and you have over $200. A penny saved is a penny earned. Stop being unappreciative and take what little relief is given, even if it is "just $4.60". Yeah, we know in the end it is really all just bull-[censored] but enjoy the little things along the way. They, the politicians, and McCain, are not foolin' anybody.

You want oil prices to come down, revise commodity trading rules.

huh?

You want oil prices to come down, reduce demand for energy and increase the supply of oil and other energy sources.

the market for oil is isolated? i am not sure why you are feigning such confusion. do we buy oil from canada at different prices than oil from elsewhere?

The price isn't being based on supply or demand, it's been based on commodities being traded because of a weak dollar. Good example is wheat jumped to $24, but there was no reason. It's that fact you only have to put down 5 to 7% compared to 50% that makes a difference.

i stopped reading here.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/15/markets/oilprices/index.htm?postversion=2008041515

so this isn't true?

Excellent!

what % of the change in price since, say, 1998 is because of trading effects and % is from economics?

What a small narrow view you have of the world. We don't have Amtrack here and haven't in about 25 years. Besides, Amtrack is losing money as fast as any airline. Diesel costs money.

I do support the idea of building commuter lines between communities, if only to cut down on the traffic. I have often suggested that they build the rail lines beside the interstates. There is no better advertising to ride the train than someone sitting in traffic that is going nowhere fast and a couple of trains go past without hinderance.

But it isn't going to happen until we get a President in office that has a monetary interest in the success of the railroad. Just look what George and Dick have done for oil!

8% profit margin is nice but not exhorbitant, and nowhere near the 15% more or less that the "non-profit" Planned Eugenics..er Parenthood made.

Is Reverand Wright a racist?

LOL...A well-meaning but futile gesture Straw.