Need your help again! Gas prices

[leftygolfer]

Friends at DU, first and foremost, you guys need to know how valuable you are to someone like me. I know how I feel, i know I'm passionate about it, but i'm not as articulate or as informed with facts like many of you. my job (in the cart barn/caddie area) at a high end country club surrounds me with people who have no clue how the real world operates. i've always felt like such an outcast here, but my time in front of a computer gives me a much needed peek into sanity.

sorry i keep coming to you for help, but you guys are so good at it and quite frankly, i'm not.

this morning, the talk in the foursome i was caddying for was gas prices. they are seriously trying to blame gas prices on the president. i can't actually argue with a member or guest, but i did point out that gas prices were high under other presidents too. then one of the members pulls out a phone and reads some story being linked off drudge! really, i don't have the ammo to counterpoint, but this same member will be back out tomorrow morning, and despite our political differences, we are a good tandem on the course (and he does tip well).

so....do i rebut his statement...or just not bring it up...? again, i don't want to argue...nor should i. just need one or two points that will keep the conversation away from a two hour bash the president outing

[Angry Dragon]

1. Going golfing later today and I do not golf at CCs

Oil prices dropped about $30 this week ........ seems like speculators are at work and not Obama
Gold and silver also dropped ........ it is the people playing the game that push the price ...... Wall Street

[wtmusic]

2. A lot of debate about gas prices.

IMO the issue is deliberately obfuscated by the people who are profiting most. Some info here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=292313&mesg_id=292313

[demwing]

3. Never talk politics/economics/religion at work

Don't piss off the wrong club member and join the 9% who wish they still had that income

BUT, if you must...Here's a few points from Obama

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/gas-prices-obama-13462834

Just remember this, those who say we need to pump more domestic oil are ignoring the fact that US oil production in 2010 was at the highest level in recent history, and it hasn't dropped gas prices a fucking nickel...

[leftygolfer]

5. you are so right

the part that infuriated me the most was how he (member) read from the story quoting President Obama (then a candidate) about gas prices. the group really got a kick out of it apparently. not sure how these guys made their millions, but context and timing mean nothing to them. that said, no way i'm going to bring up the people who have died for their oil war or the billions their oil friends are making. i do not make much money, but it is all i have and won't put it at risk over arguing politics.

[handmade34]

4. ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x476906

http://www.energybulletin.net/node/47019

http://www.realclearworld.com/blog/2011/05/fungible_oil.html

[Shagbark Hickory]

6. Are you crazy?!?! NO!! Don't talk politics with customers or bosses!!!

If it comes up just smile and listen or try to change the subject. That's my advice.

Politics is pure poison with business relationships, customers or bosses.

As for who's fault it is, I used to blame GW Bush for the gas prices, clearly it wasn't his fault.
I used to curse his name every time I'd have to fill up. Now I'm tempted to write him a "sorry I blamed you" letter to the guy.

One thing and one thing only is raising gas prices, speculators that have driven up the cost of oil.

It's true we don't have an energy policy to combat the effects of this nor do we have any sort of plan to become energy independent. Is this the job of the president, maybe. Did Obama run on energy independence? No. That's where your customer is wrong, but don't tell him that. Just let him blab and feel like a hot shot.

[leftygolfer]

9. Agree with you mostly

I think George Bush had a financial interest (or his friends did) in gas prices going up. so either he helped them go up or didn't stand in their way. president obama is not profiting from high prices, he's just not able to bring them down.

but overall, you're right. not something i'm going to risk getting fired over. hey, i just carry the bag...:)

[Capitalocracy]

7. Here's how it works. Democratic presidents control gas prices

with an iron, Communist fist. Republican presidents, when gas prices skyrocket, have nothing to do with it. Of course.

[demwing]

8. Hey, the market will correct itself

unless it doesn't, and then you blame a Democrat

[jtuck004]

10. Do you care about your tip, or this job? I am assuming they didn't bring you along for your in-depth

economic knowledge and pithy comments (assuming this because you are carrying the clubs). I would refrain from thinking I am "just one of the gang" with these folks, but that's just me. You are correct in that it would be wrong to argue with a customer or guest, but you may not be the best judge of what they will suddenly decide is arguing, and then you have trouble.

A comment like:

"I wonder if the impact of more new gas cars being sold in the Chinese market than here might be a greater driver (they might notice the clever golfing pun, extra credit) for prices than Obama today? Just one city was reporting 1500 new vehicles every day, all needing new gas."

might not hurt you, but it might. So if you need the job this summer (they aren't that easy to get right now) you might want to keep your opinions to yourself.

Either way, the results will be highly educational for you.

[leftygolfer]

12. good points

I'm not going to risk my job over it, no way. and overall, i have a good relationship with most of the members.

the only thing that gets me is...how am I, the high school grad with one year of state college...better informed about the world than these multi millionaires with degrees out the wazoo? as i told my wife....i'm not sure i'm smarter (i'm probably not) but i just care more and about different things.

and that's just sad.

[jtuck004]

14. But you cared enough to look and read. They don't, and that's

largely the problem.

I heard someone on tv the other day talk about how we would "prosper" through austerity. One of the rethugs last night on MSNBC, I think.

What utter crap. We prosper when everyone who wants or needs to work can, and when all those people are making a living wage, and we are investing in our infrastructure and adult\child educational institutions, etc.

But there is a whole nation of people out there with that same blame someone, it's not me viewpoint. The only thing that I think will get their attention is the complete collapse of the economy around them - and even then I am not sure it would change much.

And if that won't do it, you don't stand a chance if you challenge their beliefs - all they will do is spend time supporting their argument, 'til they tire and then turn on you.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, except when you needed or wanted the job ;)


Have fun - I used to be a greenskeeper in the South. It was like being a farmer but with a really good budget. Didn't play golf much, but I really enjoyed growing grass.

[girl gone mad]

11. He does deserve criticism on this issue.

Under his leadership, the Treasury and the Federal Reserve have flooded the banks with enormous amounts of cheap money, which has allowed the banks to engage in speculative, rent-seeking activities. If you were paying attention during the bailout fights here, critics warned that this is precisely what the outcome of this administration's early economic policies would be. The zombies were given the permission and the tools to continue looting in order to make themselves whole, while the real economy was given short shrift.

[leftygolfer]

13. no idea what you just said

thank you for responding...i'm laughing a little (at myself) because that is chinese heiroglyphics to me.

[girl gone mad]

15. Bank bailouts and quantitative easing put too much liquidity into the financial system.

In the long term, trends such as the growth in China and India will drive overall demand higher, but the recent surge in oil was in some part due to excess capital seeking a quick profit.

In this sense, Obama's policies were no different than those of his predecessor. One thing to consider is that it was Bush's administration that rolled back the CFTC regulations which had served as a barrier against rampant speculation in the commodities markets.

[Obamanaut]

16. Are they paying you to caddy or to enlighten them? Silence is not only

golden, it can lead to continued income.

[leftygolfer]

17. well, i am popular b/c i'm fun

and knowing how to read a green or two helps. :)

[rucky]

18. "I know! I wish Obama would do something about those Wall Street speculators."

:)