Traveling by own vehicle is so expansive - Page 3

jediknight36 · 09-02-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westfield 11

Actually that 3 trillion+ is all profit!! The product they are selling is America and I am buying it everyday. In fact, I wake up every morning and thank God that I have to chance to be a consumer of what this country has to offer.

Lets not get political. Im sure I, or many others could tear that statement to shreds and there would be a huge political argument getting one of us banned. So, lets stay on topic.

DFWehman · 09-02-2008, 05:48 PM

jedi, I believe you indicated that oil companies are greedy. I believe most companies, the successful ones anyway, have profit as a motive. As noted, 8.5% isn't really excessive. If you were an investor in a fund that bought oil stock, wouldn't you want the company to do well? Is there a reason why Americans are so quick to hate people who succeed? Is 8.5% really that bad?

jediknight36 · 09-02-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFWehman

jedi, I believe you indicated that oil companies are greedy. I believe most companies, the successful ones anyway, have profit as a motive. As noted, 8.5% isn't really excessive. If you were an investor in a fund that bought oil stock, wouldn't you want the company to do well? Is there a reason why Americans are so quick to hate people who succeed? Is 8.5% really that bad?

Ok, here we go...

I really doubt its 8.5%, and so does congress. I dont hate them because they are successful, its how they became rich and successful and its on the backs of the people they employ, most of whom cannot afford the high prices that are charged. Not to mention a decent health plan or any real benefits. And that's just in the US. What about all the oil workers world wide in countries where the labor laws, not to mention safety standards are worse than here?
BTW, anyone remember the EV-1... that's an example that has been mentioned on this site several times as to the tactics of the oil industry... and the Model T ran on both ethanol and gas, equally as efficient as the other. What happened there? What it boils down to is making sure your employees and customers are taken care of, and not trying to by votes in the government to make loop holes big enough to drive through! It may not be a quick gain, but over the long haul putting people before profits is more profitable for everyone.

Anyone need a soap box, slightly used.

And I hope I don't start a huge debate. The last thing I want to do is make anyone mad. i consider you all good friends, if not great acquaintances!

DFWehman · 09-02-2008, 07:39 PM

jedi,

I don't take it personally as your view is not uncommon. What you didn't know is that I AM one of the employees of an oil company, 28 years now. I know hundreds of others at my company and many others. I have had many family members that work at the same company as I do, and various others. I would say that despite normal employee gripes, the majority people working at oil companies share the same pride and benefits as other employees.

Yes, the number is in the 8.5% range, don't take my word, it's out there in public documents!

We are a global company, and we not alone comply with existing country regulations, we hold ourselves to a common standard of employee / consumer / environmental standard, even in countries where no regulations exist.

I understand your frustration, but railing against oil companies does not move the situation forward. Everyone who works for oil companies pays for gas and heating oil like everyone else.

I yield the soap box, er, oil drum..

jediknight36 · 09-02-2008, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFWehman

jedi,

I don't take it personally as your view is not uncommon. What you didn't know is that I AM one of the employees of an oil company, 28 years now. I know hundreds of others at my company and many others. I have had many family members that work at the same company as I do, and various others. I would say that despite normal employee gripes, the majority people working at oil companies share the same pride and benefits as other employees.

Yes, the number is in the 8.5% range, don't take my word, it's out there in public documents!

We are a global company, and we not alone comply with existing country regulations, we hold ourselves to a common standard of employee / consumer / environmental standard, even in countries where no regulations exist.

I understand your frustration, but railing against oil companies does not move the situation forward. Everyone who works for oil companies pays for gas and heating oil like everyone else.

I yield the soap box, er, oil drum..

Well, Im glad you guys are are being treated well, but I am not sure the workers in Africa agree with you. Im not just upset at oil companies, and you are right. We must be progressive. And Im glad you were not upset. And, in the defense of big oil, we do use it and you do provide a product we need right now.

DFWehman · 09-02-2008, 07:59 PM

There are a lot of problems in Africa, most of them tribal, and corruption. I'll never say we're (as an industry) faultless, but I know we try pretty hard to be fair and follow the rules. I'm personally pleased about the high price of oil, not for profit reasons, but because it has forced the world to look for alternatives that in the past never would have received attention. Most people don't realize that fuel is a small portion of the oil profits, lubricants brings in more revenue. No matter what the fuel, everything will need to be lubricated.

Thanks for your spirited posts, and for your perspectives, that's that makes this forum great!!

NCC1701 · 09-02-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jediknight36

In the defense of big oil, we do use it and you do provide a product we need right now.

Man, oh man, do we use it!!! About time 'we' realize that, not only is it NOT an infinite resource, but the use of it for energy is detrimental to our planet! We (humans) need to wean ourselves of this convenient, but non-renewable, fossil fuel asap.

And, it needs to be said, that regardless of what percentage profit the oil companies have made recently ... they are RECORD HIGH profits simultaneously with record HIGH pump prices.
IMO, regardless of the cause (corporate greed) the pump prices are a good thing in the respect that they are causing people to be aware of energy and its costs, both economic and environmental.

At $4.00 per gallon, gasoline is underpriced. But, I'd like to see some windfall profits taxes. The employees of the oil companies aren't rolling in dough, but check out the CEOs. It is obscene.

**Suze** · 09-02-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCC1701

At $4.00 per gallon, gasoline is underpriced.

An enlightened statement !

DFWehman · 09-02-2008, 08:18 PM

NCC1701, did you have another number to suggest, I'd be happy to pass it along to Sales & Marketing!

Honestly, I know what you are saying, in the US, we are below what the market price is elsewhere. I'd like to see Hydrogen get it's day in the sun. EVs are great for reasonably short run use, but we need something to replace the c ommercial fuels, trucks, ships... You won't see a battery powered cruise ship any time soon. We need something that has long term potential. Ships at sea, power generation and trucks account for a huge portion of fuel consumption, we need some really creative engineering.

NCC1701 · 09-02-2008, 08:30 PM

DFWehman:
Battery run cruise ships? Give me a break! That reminds me of the simple minded local radio jock who suggested a visiting Greenpeace ship should've been powered by oars.
This planet has PLENTY of energy available for the taking. Most of them are specific to regions. Wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, and yes, hydrogen fuel cells, what have you. A mixture of energy sources. These aren't fossil fuels. Key word, fossil.
There is plenty of room for improvement in all of the alternative energy sources. That's a good thing.