Why do people not understand that we gained oil independence 10 years ago. The policies adopted

[Samrob]

by those in power and the decisions of the oil companies to create shortages controls our access, whether the oil is kept here or shipped out, the prices.

[treestar]

1. There were even lines at the gas stations in the 70s

I don't recall it being Ford or Nixon's or Carter's fault. It was that it was running out. Which obviously was an oil industry lie.

[harumph]

2. It's not even the price of oil - it's the refiners' margin.

https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pnp_cap1_dcu_nus_a.htm

[Srkdqltr]

3. It is a money grab.

[Walleye]

4. Why shouldn't they gouge prices? They got the whole right wing yapping "keystone pipeline"

The gas and oil companies know that this issue is so politically charged and they know how to make money on it

[FakeNoose]

5. One of Biden's first acts after his inauguration

... was to sign an EO shutting down the Keystone pipeline. It's not happening. However he hasn't stopped shale oil extraction, and it's doing serious ecological damage, especially to groundwater supplies, in the states where the oil companies are operating. At this point we'd be better off buying oil from the Arabs in order to shut down the shale oil extraction in our own country.

But the REAL sad story is that shale oil extraction could be done safely and without destroying groundwater, the oil companies just won't do it because it's costly and time-consuming. The history of this travesty was covered in Rachel Maddow's book "Blowout" a few years ago.

[pwb]

6. The People can have a strong voice in this. It is to

drive less. It is starting now, car pooling, combining many trips into one, Slower acceleration at starts and slow rolling stops help to cut down on gas consumption. Notice our media never mention ways to save gas? Big Oil owns them and their message. Just pay the price and keep on going as usual they say. Media we can turn off. Gas we can use more wisely and we can cut the price by being a smarter driver. I know I am staying put more. Fugum.