Governmentally Sanctioned RIP-OFFS

[reconeil]

Governmentally Sanctioned RIP-OFFS
by N.R. Filidei (October 14, 2005)

Since America is unarguably a land of laws, it's only natural assuming that nothing grand-scale or effecting most all Americans is allowed or permitted here,...without first approval from on high and/or by political leadership, politically appointed officials or regulators, and even when necessary by some politically appointed judges. That's just how it is.

Therefore, and in the above context, I wish some leader, official, regulator or judge could explain to us all why currently The American Public are being typically primed by the overall press/media into expecting: "40-50% (or more) Natural Gas Price Increases this winter"?

Being simultaneously reported (by some) that: "America's Natural Gas Supplies are adequate for this winter", and no word whatsoever of any distribution or pipeline problems occuring,...such pretty-much promised absurdly high price hikes seem more than a bit suspicious, to say the least.

So then, and it could rightfully be asked: Why do most all political leaders and their appointed Utilities Regulators permit such obviously and uncalled-for corporate price-fixings and corporate price-gougings being perpetrated on WE HAVING NO CHOICE Public? Isn't that a reasonable enough question for We P.T. Barnum (re. "A sucker born every minute") Americans to ask?

Also, We typically manipulated by authority Americans would like knowing: Have there always been such grand-scale collusions or: "Sweetheart Deals" between governments and private corporations, going on in back rooms here? Or, are such just fairly recent despicable phenominas where everyone fairs well, and/or where States & Federal Government gladly glean more taxes (due much higher prices), and corporations gladly double and triple (or more) their profits?

Unfortunately and quite honestly,...not actually: "Everyone fairs well" with such type Utilities Scams. "We The (Schnooks)" and/or vast majority of all homeowners and renters in America are always the victimized and must bare such absurdly increased utility burdens forced on us,...or just burn up or freeze to death, mainly depending on which utility is being manipulated at the time.

Granted, the collusion apparently being orchestrated or planned for the entire American Nation now, was already field tested or perpetrated quite well and successfully on The People of California, and not all that long ago. Don't know how Many Billion$ went down some combined corporate and governmental sinkhole somewhere, due to the great generosity of Californians.

Did any of you Californians even at least get some Thank You Notes from anyone? Hmmm,...didn't think so.

Still, the previously quite successful and/or royal screwing-over of Californians doesn't justify that ALL FREE AMERICANS be so similarly subjected to such: "Governmentally Sanctioned RIP-OFFS". Wrong is wrong is wrong. Whether Statewide or Nationwide.

"FREE AMERICANS"? Yeah, sure? "Free to do (pay also) as told", and ironically as dictated so by our very own: "Public Servants" (some joke).

Joking aside, our lately becoming so commonly taken advantage of (everyway possible) by Fellow Americans (both corporate and governmental) does make one wonder. Just whom-the-hell actually serve whom,...in this quite suspectly called: "Democracy"?

Anyone in government or corporations ever ask your opinion, rather than just dictate their and clique's backroom decisions or prices (the norm) on you?
I've never experienced any different.

The End

Neil

[revwardoc]

I'd like to know how the hell the government can allow the oil companies to raise the price of gasoline that's already in gas station tanks! That's such obvious and blatant profiteering. The rich get rich, and the poor get poorer.

[reconeil]

"Read you loud and clear" Fellow Perpetually & Royally Screwed American Citizen.

Plus, I'll give you odds that those heating homes this winter will question our lords quite similarly, also.

After all billions of gallons of #2 Diesel and/or heating oil: "Already" sitting in Tank Farms and stored at 1/2 THE PRICE & NOW GOING FOR DOUBLE THE PRICE ,...most certainly is a great current example of LARGE SCALE: "Governmentally Sanctioned RIP-OFFS". No ifs, ands or buts.

"Break out the guillotine,...Citizens", as no doubt stated in old French Revolutionary Days. Or rope or firing squad, if totally disgusted by The French Lords, as I am.

Neil

[39mto39g]

I think your barking up at the wrong tree.
The free market system is designed for competion between companies, The oil refineries have not built a new refinery sence the 70s. EPA and enviromentalist have put harsh restrictions on new refineries so they don't build any new ones. All the oil companies are producing oil products to there refineries compasity. They can't produce anymore with the refineries they have. The oil companies are happy producing oil products at inflated prices. If you want cheeper oil products tell the EPA and your congress to reduce restrictions on oil companies building new refineries and they will build new refineries, New refineries means more supply than demand and that reduces your cost.
Kinda like car companies from 20 years ago. They charged $5,000. for a car and the unions wanted to be paid more, car companies said ok, no problem, Now the car cost $7,000. A few years later union workers wanted more, car companies said, OK. Now the car cost $10,000. and so on untill now, when you don't feel bad about spending $30,000 for a car.

Answer to your post is more refineries. Put as much effert into that cause.

By the way Natural Gas is a by product of crude oil drilling. Propaine and Butaine are from the refineries and are part of the refining process.

Ron

[reconeil]

Understand exactly what you're saying, especially since pretty-much heard the very same often enough on TV.

Regardless, I just don't buy-into such excuses for absurdly high price-fixings and absurdly high price-gougings at every opportunity possible (real, imagined or just plain purposely fabricated). If there were actually a shortage,...the item couldn't be purchased by most AT ANY PRICE.

And besides, I'm talking about product on hand and in storage facilities and/or large tank farms,...all full, refined and available for THE HAVING NO CHOICE WHAT TO PAY CONSUMERS,...for this very winter. If TRULY(?) short of product for next year, then just build the needed refineries. If not TRULY short,...don't.

Hey,...remember. Before gasoline and diesel prices doubled and with natural gas and electricity not going up one-thin-dime so far or yet, all The Big Boys (both corporate and governmental) involved in sale of utilities or fuel products to The People,...HAVE ALREADY BEEN MAKING OUTLANDISH EXCESS PROFITS,...AND FOR QUITE SOME YEARS.

How much more should The Big Boys (both corporate and governmental),...be FURTHER permitted to squeeze us captive suckers or consumers, AND ALSO THE ENTIRE ECONOMY FOR??

Ron, don't you think it flat-out-wrong for Fellow Americans to keep stuffing-it-so to Fellow Americans,...and especially during wartime? Whatever, certainly can't blame this further shafting of: "We The (Schnooks)" on Arabs, or even terrorists.
The Big Boys (both corporate and governmental) ABSURDLY HIGH PROFITTING FROM SUCH,...of course.

Neil

[HARDCORE]

NEIL-

"In your first paragraph, you pretty much pointed out who really runs America!"

Now let me answer your paragraph 2 - "They are systematically gauging our response and reaction before applying the coup d' gras" in my opinion!

Paragraph # 3- "Suspicious Hell", downright filthy and criminal!

Paragraph 4, two words come to mind - "GREED AND CONTROL.." We are rapidly drifting away from a democracy and into an oligarchy!

Paragraph # 5- This has always been with us. It is just the Big (or is that PIG) Boys have finally come to realize that the people will always take it up the ass in silence and servitude!

And lastly, "ARE CALIFORNIANS GETTING SCREWED?" To this, many a brain-dead Golden Stater would answer - "Hell No - now please pass the Vaseline, our backsides are getting more than a bit raw!!?"

VERITAS

[39mto39g]

My opinion,
The oil companies are doing this to get people upset enough so they will get on congress to lower restriction on new refineries.
The oil companies could build new refineries now, its just that the restrictions would be very harsh and to the oil companies that would be like giving into the enviromentalist. I figure the oil companies don't really care about new refineries, They are making money, and the oil supply is not being used up as fast as it would be if there were dubblle the refineries and gas was 1/2 the cost.
I think the oil companies are making a point and making profit in the bargin.
You want cheeper gas tell your congressman to ease restrictions on new refineries, or don't complain if we are useing all the oil we can refine and supply and demand says we pay alot for it.
Supply and demand is what free enterprise is about, Thats why all our tools come from China, (except Craftsman)
And our cars (I should say your cars cause I wont own one) come from Japan.

Ron

[Jerry D]

Ron: I agree and thats why I buy Craftsman tools and my daily driver is a 89' Ford Ranger XLT Super-cab. If one wants better job opportunities it's better to keep our money in the local/national economy. All them profits heading overseas hurt the Governments deficit more then any tax break the current administration gave to Company's .... When US Steel made all the Steel used in the US and the Big 3 were Ford,GM, and Dodge we didn't have the trade deficit we have today.

[reconeil]

Guess I'm gonna have to disagree with you again, and especially about that: "Supply & Demand" bit,...since NO-WAY-IN-HELL effecting Natural Gas's (the main object of this thread) typical profiteerings and price-gougings. In fact, Natural Gas Companies have been historically trying to get homeowners to switch from oil to more readily available and reliable gas for home heating,...since I can remember.

Needed pipelines nationwide are adequate, sufficient and functioning well, and natural gas needs no refining.
Hell,...we even export the stuff, and much like we export oil.

On gasoline and "Supply & Demand", my expressed thoughts about such to Bill O'Reilly at FNC, are copied below.

Bill,
Any honestly believing that
gasoline prices in America are
determined by: "Supply & Demand",
are either idiots or thoroughly
duped fools.
Price riggings and profiteerings...
of course.

Neil
N.R. Filidei
Avenel, New Jersey

Hey Ron,...just NOT believer in BS and/or what The Big Boys (re. corporations, government and press/media) quite echoingly dole-out to: "We The (Schnooks)",...and on a daily basis. Sorry.

[MORTARDUDE]

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