Sunday, February 26, 2012

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.

6 Comments:

At 11:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good comment David. Two weeks ago, I was watching a TV comment on the problem and the "expert" said that every time there is a potential threat such as Iran shutting down the shipping lanes, big business goes into a panic. They said that huge users buy and stock pile to prepare for a large shortage. Shipping and airlines are among the biggest users and without fuel, they are out of business. True or not, it was logical. The second truism which is much more believable is the terrible greed. Billions in profit per quarter has become such a common phase that people just don't dwell on what that actually means. People don't consider how much a billion dollars in profit actually is so adding an s to billion doesn't register. But, if any president did take strong action, especially Obama, people would be ready to attack the White House because it is our duty to protect the profits of the 1%. It's like Romney saying that his wife drives a Cadillac, actually a couple Cadillacs does not phase the portion of the 99% that blindly fight for the 1%. This is worthy of your "I'm amazed." Maybe the idea I have been promoting through talk radio and letters to the editor will soon make sense to people. I said to consider all of the vehicles in the US and then consider how much gas they hold when the tanks are full or even almost full. We are all driving mini gas storage tanks and my cry has been that in good weather, never have your gas tank more than half full. Winters are a different story. So just dream for a moment how much gas Exxon would have to store if we didn't fill up. They would drop the price immediately to get rid of the glut of gas. Maybe someday. Wil Toole

 
At 8:29 AM, Blogger David Yonki said...

What I have been doing with gas is this: I'll throw $15 or $20 bucks in just in based on my travel plans. If I'm driving to Hazleton or Scranton, I'll throw in just enough to keep it at 3/4 or slightly above that. The last time I filled my tank was in early December. Many people have the perception that I'm anti business, I'm not. Everyone that starts a business, takes that risk and puts their life into it deserves a handsome profit. But those corporations that make profit after profit, get government subsidizes and then don't reinvest are the real enemies of our society. If we as a country fail, the history books will not highlight our lack of religion, work ethic or basic goodness, they'll point to one word, one of those 7 deadly sins: GREED. And that GREED will come from the 1%. You can't have greed if you're part of the 99%. It's not possible.

 
At 4:40 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

David,
You hit the nail right on the head. If people would just think about it, why would the greedy oil companies spend millions, if not billions, to upgrade and expand their refining capacity, which will only lower the price of gas and of course their huge profits? And just look at what's happening right here in our backyard with the marcellus shale gas. Several major drillers have announced they are cutting back on their operations significantly because the price of natural gas is at a ten-year low. I guess it's drill, baby, drill...but only if the oil & gas companies can make enormous profits. They don't care about America's energy independence. They only care about themselves. Real patriots they are!

 
At 8:43 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

David, what the hell is going on with the font size of your comment section? I need a magnifying glass to read this. The font size must be around 4.

 
At 11:01 PM, Blogger David Yonki said...

IN RESPONSE
David, what the hell is going on with the font size of your comment section? I need a magnifying glass to read this. The font size must be around 4.
DON'T KNOW. EITHER USE THE HOTMAIL ADDRESS I OUTLINED IN EDITION #1963 OR USE YOUR COMPUTER ENHANCEMENTS.

 
At 6:16 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

More GREEDwagon comments from trolls who haven't a clue. Lets see if this gets published since my last comment on this didn't. Musta made too much sense.

 

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