GAS PRICES...EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE GOING ACCORDING TO OBAMA'S PLAN…

 

 

We've all heard about what Barry calls his "all of the above approach" to energy policy, but we just haven't seen much in the way of positive results from it. And as much as I hate to sound like a broken record, since Barry first entered the Oval Office the price of gas has done nothing but go up. The average price of a gallon of gas has increased 96 percent since Barry "Almighty" first took office in 2009, and that's would be according to figures from the Energy Information Agency (EIA). According to EIA data, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the United States was $1.838 on Jan. 19, 2009--the day before Barry took office. As of Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, the per-gallon price had risen to an average of $3.611--an increase of 96 percent. The $3.677 is not the highest gas prices have been under President Obama. That record was reached the week of May 9, 2011 when they averaged $3.965 per gallon.

 

Now gas prices did decline a bit during the recession but they have steadily climbed back to near their pre-recession peak under Barry, despite his push for greater fuel-efficient cars and trucks and near relentless pursuit of expanded clean energy, wasting literally Billions of dollars along the way. Gas prices have never been this high in early February at any time in American history, also according to EIA. Even in 2008 when gas prices reached all-time highs. Consumers can therefore plan on taking another huge hit in the wallet this year, being force to pay out even more to fill up. Because with the two percent Social Security tax hike which began the new year, gas prices are now soaring ever closer to $4 a gallon and have jumped 51 cents a gallon just since Dec. 20. And when you add both of these to rising food prices we can expect so see not money left over to spend on buying those things that might actually stimulate the economy.

 

According to the Oil Price Information Service, the national average for a gallon of unleaded was $3.21.9 on Dec. 20, 2012. Today, less to two months later, that price in $3.73. While there has been a steady increase, prices shot up almost 9 cents just over this past weekend. This President's Day also marked something that we've never witnessed before that being a full month of rising gas prices every single business day, following a very small early year drop in price. February 2013 saw record high gas prices for the time of year according to news reports. CNBC noted the national average was the highest ever for this time of year on Feb. 1. As of Feb. 11, The Los Angeles Times reported that the national average that day ($3.587) was also a record, "7.8 cents higher than the record for Feb. 11, set last year." Today's price is now 17.6 cents higher than it was in 2012.

 

As is usually the case, it took the state-controlled media some time to take notice of the fact that gas prices are going up. One of "Good Morning America's" resident morons, Josh Elliot, recently observed that "we have just learned that gas prices have skyrocketed." Just learned? Does this moron not put gas in his car? And those higher pump prices hurt consumers, who are already paying more for gas than they have in decades. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported recently that the average household spent more on gas last year, as a percentage of income, than it had in 30 years. The Hill's Ben Geman wrote on Feb. 4, "the average household spent $2,912 for gasoline in 2012, which makes up almost 4 percent of pre-tax income, tying 2008 for the highest percentage in roughly 30 years." The media actually forecast falling prices in 2012, during the heated presidential election. Many of those predictions failed.

 

Look, the bottom line here is I think we all know what's behind the fact that we have high gas prices. It's because Barry wants us to have high gas prices. I mean, it's just that simple. He's made that quite plain on any number of occasions. There's really no other way to explain it. It's all part of Barry's continuing war on fossil fuels and forcing us to accept his cockamamie 'green-energy' nonsense. Gas prices have been at sustained highs throughout most of Barry's time in office. And yet, we hear very little complaining coming from those who made themselves quite busy in blaming the high prices at the time, on George "Big Oil" Bush. And the prices then were nowhere near what we have today. One could arguably say that the silence coming from Democrats is deafening. And what is it, exactly, that Barry can point to his having done to keep gas prices from going through the roof. Nothing, he's pretty much taken a hands-off approach.

 

Ok, I know, there are any number of various factors that essentially determine the price we pay for a gallon of gas, and I'll be the first one to admit that. But I also think that Barry has done none of those things that he could have done in an effort to make sure that they remain as low as possible. Especially if his claims about trying to stimulate our sluggish economy are to be, in any way, believed. But he has shown absolutely no interest, whatsoever, in doing anything of the kind, in fact, everything that he has chosen to do has resulted in just the opposite taking place. The Heritage Foundation noted just last August that "after three years of adding regulatory hurdles and blocking exploratory access and development, President Obama's policies are helping keep prices higher than necessary." Hence, my saying that when it comes to higher gas prices, everything seems to going according to Barry's little plan.



SO WHO’S 'REALLY' RAKING IN THE MOST MONEY FROM THE SALE OF GASOLINE?

Before you answer, I want you to think about something. The top 10 states with the highest state taxes on a gallon of gasoline also happen to all be blue states, that is they are all states that went for Barry "Almighty" in 2012, with the exception of two states that were blue in the 2008 election but then turned red this year. According to data analyzed by the Tax Foundation and provided by the American Petroleum Institute, the title of having the highest taxes (cents per gallon) on gasoline goes to New York. There the total state-level gas taxes equals 49 cents.

Coming in, in second place, which is actually a tie, are California and Connecticut, there the total gas-per-gallon taxes equals 48.6 cents. North Carolina comes in at number six on the list, with taxes of 39.2 cents – the Tar Heel state went red in 2012 for Republican challenger Mitt Romney but was blue in 2008 when Barry was elected to his first term. Indiana was the other blue-to-red exception, and has a gas tax of 38.9 cents. Florida rounds out the top ten list. There the gas tax equals 35 cents on every gallon.

The top 10 states with the highest gas taxes are listed below:
New York 49 cents
California 48.6 cents
Connecticut 48.6
Hawaii 47.1 cents
Michigan 39.4 cents
N. Carolina 39.2 cents
Illinois 38.9 cents
Indiana 38.9
Washington 37.5 cents
Florida 35 cents

So why does gas cost so much, and who is making the most money? Now you can blame high gas prices on rich oil company executives or greedy gas station owners if that makes you feel better, but that’s not actually the case. The truth is that governments rake in a much larger ‘profit’ at the pump than anyone, and sadly there appears to be no relief in sight. The fact is the price of a gallon of gas is based on the combination of four costs: that of crude oil, of refining gas, of distribution and marketing, and, of course, taxes.

Crude oil costs make up about 76% of the cost of gasoline, and that’s according to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Thus $2.66 of a $3.50 gallon of gasoline is set before the oil is even refined. Global markets, reacting to supply and demand, are what actually determine the cost of crude oil. Just like any other commodity, from gold to corn, a shortage in supply or an increase in demand leads to a rise in prices. And with Barry pretty much refusing to allow any new drilling in this country, we continue to be at the mercy of foreign suppliers.

Refining oil is the next step in the process—and the next expense for drivers. Gasoline is extracted from crude oil and additives, including lubricants and detergents to reduce engine deposits, are added. As of January 2012, the EIA found that refining was responsible for 6% of the cost of gasoline. Also worth keeping in mind here, is the fact that we have not been allowed to build a new refinery here in this country for over 30 years, we’ve been prevented from doing so by the same politicians who prevent us from drilling.

Distribution and marketing, the part of the process most apparent to consumers, constitutes another 6% of gas prices. That portion of the cost includes the shipping and transportation of the gasoline, a markup to cover retailers' expenses, and any advertising created to appeal to customers. I can only assume that many folks, when accusing, or in nodding in agreement as Barry talks about greedy oil companies, must think this all happens by magic, totally free from any investment of capital being needed. Those folks are, morons!

The remaining 12%, or roughly 50 cents per gallon today, goes directly to federal, state and local governments in an array of sales and excise taxes. The federal gas tax is 18.4 cents on every gallon of gasoline sold in America. State gas-tax, as pointed out earlier, rates vary from a low of eight cents per gallon in Alaska to a jarring 49 cents per gallon in New York. Other states where it's steep to fill up include California and Connecticut—each with 48.6-cent-per-gallon gas taxes—and Hawaii, at 47.1 cents per gallon.

Some local governments have even gotten in on the act. In California, local sales and excise taxes on gasoline average 3.1%, according to the Los Angeles Times. That works out to about 12 cents in local taxes for each gallon of gas, based on the state's current average of $3.80 per gallon. Skokie, Ill., a suburb north of Chicago, levies a gas tax of three cents per gallon. You'll pay an extra nickel per gallon at gas stations in Eugene, Ore. In Florida, Brevard County expects to siphon more than $15 million from motorists this year, according to the newspaper Florida Today.

Put this all together, and government makes far more from gas sales than all of the oil companies put together. Exxon, for example, made only seven cents per gallon of gasoline in 2011. That's a drop in the bucket compared to the nearly 50 cents per gallon that federal, state and local governments rake in on an average gallon of gas pumped in the U.S. For some families struggling to make ends meet, paying 50 cents per gallon in taxes may be the difference between driving to work and putting dinner on the table.

So the next time you feel the urge to, or Barry tries to convince you to, blame those evil, greedy oil companies, speculators or service stations for high gas prices, remember that no one makes more money off of gasoline than government. So what that means is, we have a government that does not spend one dime in bringing the product to market that is the very same entity that makes the most money off of the sale of that product. How insane is that? And what give any government, whether local, state or federal, the right to do so?

OBAMA'S IDIOTIC EXPLANATION FOR GAS PRICES BEING LOW WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE....

OBAMA’S LATEST PLAN TO LOWER GAS PRICES...MORE DRILLING? NOPE!

Instead, and under the guise of addressing high gas prices, our “Fearless Leader”, Barry “Almighty” officially unveiled his $52 Million plan to give oil market regulators more authority to “deter price manipulation by speculators,” at least that's how it was reported by the AP. In unveiling his bogus plan, Barry urged Congress Tuesday to strengthen federal supervision of oil markets, increase penalties for market manipulation, and empower regulators to increase the amount of money energy traders are required to put behind their transactions. Saying, “We can’t afford a situation where some speculators can reap millions while millions of American families get the short end of the stick.” But I didn't hear anything from Barry about how this plan of his would bring down the price of gas or work to make this country more energy independent. I find myself wondering if this is yet another part of what Barry refers to as being his "all of the above strategy?"

However, the intent here may be something far different with regard to what Barry is really attempting to do here. Because even the AP admits that Barry’s plan is more likely meant to draw sharp election-year distinctions between himself and Republicans than it is to have any immediate effect on prices at the pump, which is something usually referred to as a “gimmick.” House Speaker John Boehner called it a political ploy and criticized Barry for not using authority he already has to deal with such problems. “The president has all the tools available to him if he believes that the oil market is being manipulated,” Boehner told reporters on Tuesday. “Where’s his Federal Trade Commission? Where is the SEC [Securities and Exchange Commission]? He’s got agencies there. So instead of just another political gimmick, why doesn’t he put his administration to work to get to the bottom of it?” the Speaker asked. Because Barry is all about political gimmicks.

Supposedly, this new measures included in this whiz-bang proposal of Barry's once again puts this president at odds with congressional Republicans, because Barry is seeking to increase spending for Wall Street enforcement at a time when congressional Republicans are trying to reign in federal financial regulations. In announcing this plan, Barry was joined during his Rose Garden remarks by Attorney General, and a big Al "Bull Horn" Sharpton fan, Eric Holder, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner who, by the way, thinks Barry is doing just a magnificent job, Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Gary Gensler, and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz. Barry made no effort to disguise his partisan objectives, drawing attention to Republican opposition to a plan to end tax breaks for oil and gas companies. “So here’s a chance to make amends,” he said. Make amends? Just what drugs is this guy on? And where do I get some?

Senior administration officials who put together this little cockamamie proposal would not go as far as to say that market manipulation is responsible for rising gas prices, but the officials did say that they wanted to curtail the ability of speculators to take unlawful advantage of oil price volatility. And naturally these officials spoke only on the condition of anonymity to discuss details of the plan. “None of these steps by themselves will bring gas prices down overnight,” Barry said, implying that somehow they would eventually. He went on to say, “But it will prevent market manipulation and make sure we’re looking out for American consumers.” Is this guy really serious? Looking out for American consumers? If the American people are stupid enough to fall for this line of malarkey then we are truly in a world of hurt come the next election. But we'll just have to wait and see if they're smart enough to figure it all out. I don't have much confidence in them.

Barry’s plan calls on Congress to:

1. Increase six-fold the surveillance and enforcement staff of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to better deter oil market manipulation.
2. Increase spending on technology to provide better oversight and surveillance of energy markets.
3. Increase civil and criminal penalties against firms that engage in market manipulation from $1 million to $10 million.
4. Give the Commodity Futures Trading Commission authority to increase the amount of money that a trader must put up to back a trading position. The administration officials said such authority could help limit disruptions in energy markets.

I think it more than a little appropriate to be very suspicious regarding what might be Barry's true motives here in that this latest White House boondoggle comes at the very same time that we have Republicans talking about limiting the reach of a financial regulation overhaul that the Democrats were able to shove through Congress in 2010 and at a time when they held substantial majorities in both houses and over very loud objections for the GOP. Though the House Republican budget, which calls for sharp reductions in government programs, does not specify reduction in spending by the trading commission, the administration officials said that if the cuts were applied the commission would lose more than five times what it spends on regulating energy markets. The debate will pit Republicans who blame the president for high gasoline prices against a White House that blames Republicans for coddling Wall Street. As always with Barry, it's all about politics.

So I should think that it would be painfully obvious that all Barry is really attempting to do here is to create the false impression in the minds of the American people, or at least enough of them, that the problem lies not with him, but, instead, with those pesky Republicans in Congress. He wants us all to somehow think that no matter what he tries to do congressional Republicans simply say no and shoot it all down. What the people are going to have to come to grips with is the fact that the majority of Barry's ideas NEED to be shot down. He's already been able to get far too much shoved through Congress the consequences of which will undoubtedly prove dire to future generations of Americans. Look, the bottom line here is that we are the only country on the face of the entire planet that has no responsible energy policy. And the fact that we continue to sit atop vast energy reserves of coal, natural gas and oil, and do nothing but ignore them, is simply ludicrous.

OBAMA ON RISING GAS PRICES, "IT AIN'T MY FAULT!"...

You know, sometimes you just gotta call a spade, a spade or a liar, a LIAR. Because, quite frankly, I'm getting pretty damn tired of our scumbag president being allowed to continue to go completely unchallenged when telling some of the most outrageous lies imaginable. And now we're hearing about how it is that this douche bag has the "balls" to say that he does not "accept responsibility" for high gas prices, and we're just supposed to except that? Hold on there Buckwheat! And as always he takes the cowards way out, sending some imbecilic spokesman out to argue the fact that he has done everything humanly possible to bring down the escalating price of oil and blaming those high gas prices on oil price increases caused by global factors. He must mean those things like killing all drilling in the Gulf or anywhere on federal land? Or how about his deciding to kill the Keystone XL pipeline project? Is that what this idiot means by Barry having done everything possible to bring down gas prices?

And in what had to be one of this biggest whoppers yet heard from this psychopathic bunch over at the White House, was when, that babbling idiot that makes Bob Gibbs look like freakin genius, Jay Carney actually said, "The president accepts the responsibility that he identified the next president should accept, back in 2008, which is the need for comprehensive energy policy." Now you would think that even a brain dead Democrat could come up with something better than that. But that's what he said just today when asked if Barry "Almighty" "accept[s] responsibility" for the high price of oil and gas. "If you're suggesting that there is responsibility for a rise in the price of oil, it's certainly not because of anything he hasn't done to expand oil production," Carney added. Gee, call me crazy, but somehow I just can't, for the life of me, see a lame excuse like that ever working for George W. Bush, or any Republican for than matter. Ya know, there's a special place in Hell that's being reserved for our illustrious president.

And then, AND THEN, asked if he believes it is fair for Americans to blame the president, this bonehead Carney made the pathetic excuse that gas price hikes are "a recurrent problem." And added that domestic oil production is at a record high right now and that Barry has opened "millions of acres in the Gulf of Mexico" to drilling. And then our buddy Careny did what this team of pathetic assholes have continued to do practically since day one, he blamed the Republicans. Lying through his f*@king teeth he said that "the president did not turn down the Keystone pipeline," arguing that Republicans prevented a full environmental review from taking place. I simply can't recall at ever seeing this level arrogant narcissism in a public official, let alone a president in my lifetime, And I'll tell you what my friends, if the American people prove themselves to be too stupid to see through all of this crap, well then, I think it very safe to say that we are totally and completely screwed.