Not sure if this is posted in the best location but here goes. If you'd like to participate in the boycott and get the word out simply copy and paste this message text and email to everyone you know. Then, if you'd like to also voice your opinion to the U.S. government click on the link below and send a short brief message. Remember to copy the message first so you won't have to re-write for another elected official. Let's get together and demand the situation be reversed or get an alternative fuel vehicle program going or an effective mass-transit system going. We must do something and do it together.


While we are taking care of this problem, don't forget about the troops deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other places around the world. They have their hands full big-time! So, let's take care of the home front so they won't have to do our job when they return.


(copy from here down)
Dear …..,

As you are fully aware, Americans are experiencing the highest prices of gasoline and diesel in the history of the automobile. Does the average American really know the cause of this? Are the oil companies trying to justify this to you and me? Is our government and its elected officials offering an explanation or defining the duration of these high prices (some call it price gouging) to the American public and are you satisfied with the explanations you may have received? How much of your earnings go towards commuting to your job just to have more of your hard-earn cash slip through your hands? Had enough and want to do something about it? Here’s one way that a lot of Americans can get the attention of our government law-makers and the oil companies – <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Boycott all fuel purchases on the [/B]<st1:place><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Fourth[/B]</st1:place><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> of July![/B] Make that the <st1:place>Fourth</st1:place> of July weekend. Stay at home and have a good old American cookout, do a home improvement project with your family, or have a block party right in the middle of the streets! Remember, united we stand and divided we fall!

If a boycott is not your thing, please go to www.congress.org (http://www.congress.org/) and tell your Representatives and Senators how disgusted you are with the cost of fuel. Tell him/her that Americans are brought up on the personal automobile and how the <st1:country-region><st1:place>United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> has made them a daily necessity and the price-gouging has got to end – or maybe their political career could be short-lived. Also, remind them how the <st1:country-region><st1:place>U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> ignored the idea of an effective mass-transit system and then allow Americans to become dependant on the personal automobile. Maybe there is too much tax on a gallon of fuel. Maybe we should pump our own crude from North American reserves. Ask for a legitimate explanation and suggest the <st1:country-region><st1:place>United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> stop our purchasing Arabic crude. Just go to the above web site and look for “write elected officials.” Type in y

Marc, Cheers for you for putting forth a good effort. I an there with you but a one day coycott will never change anything. The gas companies know you will just fill up before or after the boycott day. That does nothing to them or mean any thing to them. With the current probles Shell is going to close down another refinery in California since it is not making enough money. There goes the prices up again on the west cost. I am afraid a boycott for one day wont make a difference. Boycott for a week or a month then you have there attention. We americans have too short a memory to recall the recent past.

Pilot

Hey, all. This is a cool start. Motocopter http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif

If you want to have an effect, the truckers have to get involved. They are probably the only group large enough.

You can protest one tank at a time also. Always drive the extra mile to patronize any station with a cheaper price. If nobody bought fuel from the stations that are the most expensive, they would have to drop their price or starve.

The gas companies are the last people that want the prices of gasoline to be high. They make about the same per gallon if the price is $1.00 per gallon as they do if the price is $2.00 per gallon.


Let's say that Texaco is making $0.20 per gallon of fuel sold. When gas is $2.00 per gallon they have to invest $1.80 per gallon. When gas is $1.00 per gallon they only have to invest $0.80 per gallon.


If you were in their position which ROI would you rather have?Edited by: reno4648

Reno4648, comment/question...What you are saying, and no disagreement here, is that profit margines are narrow for the gas stations. That being the case, then they are being price-gouged too and passing it on to the end user. Seems like the station owners should also be squeaking about the high prices, wouldn't you think?


My rational for a boycott is to bring about an awareness that the American public is unhappy with fuel prices. Most realize the real impact of a one-day boycott, but if we do and say nothing the oil companies and government will believe we are content with paying high prices and once we get used it and budget more for fuel, they won't change a thing. If in fact production costs are truly high, we are entitled to a convincing explanation.


BTW what is "ROI?"


Marc

Marc,


You are correct about saying the production costs are high. Gas prices are directly tied to the price of oil. When OPEC tightens up the supply the price of oil goes up (currently around $35 per barrel). If you remember back in 1998 or so when gas was around $1.00 per gallon - oil was hovering around $15 per barrel.


The Middle East controls the world's oil supply with something like 2/3 of the world's known reserves (probably one reason we are in Iraq). It's all a game of numbers for them. Lets say they produce 1,000,000 barrels per day and oil is at $30 per barrel. If they increase that production to 2,000,000 barrels per day and oil drops to $15 per barrel they have decreased their reserves and increased their costs, which in turn decreases their profits. This is a very simplified analysis but fits right in with the capitalistic society we live in today.


Now lets talk about the US government. On one hand the highway department is taking in taxes for every gallon of gas sold. On the other hand, the US government is one of the largest consumers of fuel. Do you think they enjoy paying high prices for fuel?


Then you have the local gas stations. I have a couple of friends that own independent stations. Their markup on a gallon of gas is usually around $0.05 per gallon but I have seen it as little as $0.01 per gallon. They don't make their money on the sale of fuel - they want customers to come into the store and buy drinks, candy, etc. That is where their profits are the greatest.


This is a very informative report on Oil Production that might help everyone to understand why the prices are so high. It's pretty long but it is well worth the time.


http://www.ncseonline.org/NLE/CRSreports/energy/eng-3.cfm?&amp;CFID=13513432&amp;CFTOKEN=53578857

Oh yeah


ROI is Return On Investment

Fired-off emails to two senators and representative from Tennessee about the cost of fuel. It's a drop in the bucket but it is something.


Diesel was $1.57 this past Friday at Pilot and Flyin J exit 86, I-24 Oak Grove, KY. Compared with others, this is a bargain. Gasoline is up just like other places in the U.S.


Later.


Marc

I got an email a while back. It stated to boycott Mobil/Exxon (the largest/richest oil co.) completely. Other words don't buy fuel from Mobil/ Exxon at all. When they don't sell their products it will force them to lower their prices causing a price war. A one day boycott won't work as they know we will be buying the fuel the day before or soon after. Boycott's need to be long term to make an effect. It works on supply and demand, we are demanding more fuel so they like us and collect proportionally. The total boycott theory seems like it would work , but I don't buy my fuel from them anyway. The only other way is to stop driving for a couple of days or more.

these chain letters never work. If dont buy on one day you will just more the next day and more than likely it will be more expensive.

FOR ALL THE PESSIMISTIC PESONALITIES OUT THERE WITH NO SOLUTIONS....

STOP THE BITCHIN' ABOUT COSTS OF FUEL!


This great country has not made it this far in its short 228 years of existance with people who whine and cry about issues and won't roll up their sleeves and get down to business.


Just think, my comrades and members of our military are fighting and dying in order to preserve our freedom - our freedom to do whatever and say whatever. Consider what we do with it.


Backing up, I believe it is noted without argument one-day boycotts really don't do anything so...


Let's get back to dieselshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif


MarcEdited by: motocopter

i am , i am running red ! so i aint paying their tax