The LuLac Edition #1961, February 26th, 2012

Wilkes Barre resident Frank Pasquini.

WB CHAMBER RENEWS SEARCH

The local media reported toward the end of 2011 layoffs from the Wilkes Barre Chamber of Commerce. I thought about the ramifications of that when the Chamber once more made the news with the report that they are re opening their search for a new Executive Director. Hopefully that search will be fruitful and successful because even though I’ve criticized the Chamber in the past, a lot is riding on the decision. The Chamber was in the midst of a very successful capital campaign that would concentrate solely on Chamber program development. One of the strengths of any organization is the type of programs and services they offer to its members and by extension the surrounding community. That effort was headed up by Wilkes Barre resident Frank Pasquini who until November served as the Director of Capital resources for the chamber and for four years as volunteer President of the downtown Wilkes barre business association. Pasquini has been in fundraising and development for decades with an impressive track record. Let’s hope that the new Leadership in the Chamber will recognize the strides made in the campaign and allow for its completion under Pasquini’s expertise and enthusiasm. As we say all the time here on LuLac, every decision has an infinite number of consequences. Let’s hope that when the time comes, the goals of Pasquini and the capital campaign will be reignited.

WHY HIGH GAS PRICES?

Right now every person who has a car is shuddering at the prospect of paying upwards of $4.00 a gallon for gas. By summer it might be $5 or $6 bucks. The question is why? We are getting the usual boiler plate answers like trouble in Iran, uncertainty about the economy in Greece and Europe, and President Obama’s refusal to make a decision on the Keystone pipeline. Those answers are pretty much bogus. The reason why the gas prices are getting higher here is because Sunoco and the other oil companies have shut down 5% of their refineries. The reason for this is because many of them are non functioning and inadequate. The oil companies are pumping out less and our demand has stayed the same. In the meantime, while we don’t realize it, gas here in the United States is cheaper than anywhere else in the world. The oil companies can’t make a huge profit on its own country’s consumers. But the increased demands in places like China and Europe have given the oil companies a cash cow. Because they want the gas and don’t bat an eyelash at a price higher than the demarcation line of $4 a gallon, the oil companies can export gas at a bigger profit. For the first time on our nation’s history, we are more of a gas exporter than we are a producer. The oil companies make more money that way. The question that needs to be asked is this: if these 5% of refineries were so outdated and problematic, why couldn’t the oil companies use part of those huge export profits to retain or repair those refineries they say are in danger? The answer: GREED.
There will be a point in this country’s history where people will start to just say no. The reason why Dunkin Donuts won’t charge $33.00 for a Caramel Latte is because no one will pay for it. There will be a point when we’ll stop paying. It might take a depression but it will happen. Or another option is this: at some point there will be a President with enough stones to nationalize the oil companies. Or at the very least put in reforms that will stop the abuses of the oil companies against citizens/consumers. Everyone decries government regulations. But as Paul Kanjorski used to say, “regulations are for that 10% of business people who refuse to do the right thing”. Right now, that’s your oil companies. And if you check out their corporate and personal wealth, they are part of the 1%. Part of the problem. Part of your fellow citizens out to screw you at every turn.