Interesting conversation on gas prices this morning!

[dadto1]

Heard conversation on radio this morning about gas companies! This is per talk radio show and I've not researched.

Average profit margin per industry:

Pharmaceuticals (sp) 18.5% consumer pays 7.5% avg sales tax
Food Distributor 10.5% consumer pays 7.5% avg sales tax

Gas Companies 8.2% consumer pays .42$ per gallon tax

So at local prices 2.89 we are paying 2.47 gallon plus 17% sales/use tax!

Hmm, government likes to blame oil companies for high prices while they are taxing at 17%. Before all you jump on its Bush's fault this has been going on for years thru republican and democratic administrations. It's a problem at the state and federal level that needs to be addressed in my opinion.

 

[Christine]

Your conversation about gas prices wasn't nearly as interesting as mine was in my carpool this morning!!

My carpooler thinks that the Republicans have conspired to falsely inflate gas prices so that everyone finally gets mad enough about. Bush swoops in claiming to investigate it all, give everyone a rebate, and fight for the ability to drill for oil in Arctic. My carpool member seems to thing that the Arctic drilling was the reason for this whole mess. Now they will get their way, and gas prices will go down.

 

[CheshireVal]

How about the theory that oil/gas prices went up to deflect attention away from the immigration debate?

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

Your conversation about gas prices wasn't nearly as interesting as mine was in my carpool this morning!!

My carpooler thinks that the Republicans have conspired to falsely inflate gas prices so that everyone finally gets mad enough about. Bush swoops in claiming to investigate it all, give everyone a rebate, and fight for the ability to drill for oil in Arctic. My carpool member seems to thing that the Arctic drilling was the reason for this whole mess. Now they will get their way, and gas prices will go down.

The problem is we are so brainwashed that we believe everything we see or hear before looking into the facts. If the media says it, it must be truth.

 

[Christine]

The problem is we are so brainwashed that we believe everything we see or hear before looking into the facts. If the media says it, it must be truth.

Actually, my friend made this one up all on his own. I don't think the media even *hinted* at such a thing!

 

[Charade]

Your conversation about gas prices wasn't nearly as interesting as mine was in my carpool this morning!!

My carpooler thinks that the Republicans have conspired to falsely inflate gas prices so that everyone finally gets mad enough about. Bush swoops in claiming to investigate it all, give everyone a rebate, and fight for the ability to drill for oil in Arctic. My carpool member seems to thing that the Arctic drilling was the reason for this whole mess. Now they will get their way, and gas prices will go down.

Leave your carpooler at the curb next time.

People will believe what they want even when presented with facts to the contrary.

 

[Charade]

Actually, my friend made this one up all on his own. I don't think the media even *hinted* at such a thing!

I highly doubt that. He had to be influenced by what he's read and heard in the news.

 

[Christine]

I highly doubt that. He had to be influenced by what he's read and heard in the news.

Probably...his wife does work for The Washington Post. But, as far as I know, I've heard of no conspiracy theory like this to get into the Arctic.

 

[robinb]

Gas Companies 8.2% consumer pays .42$ per gallon tax

So at local prices 2.89 we are paying 2.47 gallon plus 17% sales/use tax!

The gas companies are not paying to fill in your pot holes. Those state and local taxes are put to good use, IMO.

 

[golfgal]

They already passed a bill to drill in the Arctic. A friend of ours works as a lobbyist for the Arctic Refuge and the day the bill passed a bunch of us went over to his house or called him during the day to make sure he didn't commit suicide (not that we really thought he would but it was a tough day for him).

Quite a bit of the tax on your gas is local and state taxes, not federal taxes.

 

[Christine]

Heard conversation on radio this morning about gas companies! This is per talk radio show and I've not researched.

Average profit margin per industry:

Pharmaceuticals (sp) 18.5% consumer pays 7.5% avg sales tax
Food Distributor 10.5% consumer pays 7.5% avg sales tax

Gas Companies 8.2% consumer pays .42$ per gallon tax

So at local prices 2.89 we are paying 2.47 gallon plus 17% sales/use tax!

Hmm, government likes to blame oil companies for high prices while they are taxing at 17%. Before all you jump on its Bush's fault this has been going on for years thru republican and democratic administrations. It's a problem at the state and federal level that needs to be addressed in my opinion.

dadto1--I'm sorry I hijacked your thread. Back to your topic. I've always knows that gas was heavily taxed. I don't have a problem with as I feel it is put to good use on our roads. What I would like to know is, over the past 20 years or so, has the tax rate changed or has it always been at 17%. If I remember correctly, I think the taxes on fuel (the percentage) has been fairly stable. In fact, many localities are cutting back on some of their percentages because the base price is so high now, that they are getting a huge amout now based on their percentage. Our taxes are nothing like what the Europeans pay on their fuel, but the taxes go for oh so many more things over there. Bottom line, I don't think we can blame taxes for this. You can cut them back all you want but the price of fuel will keep climbing.

 

[Chuck S]

The gas companies are not paying to fill in your pot holes. Those state and local taxes are put to good use, IMO.

If only they would actually keep the roads in tip-top shape You're quite correct, those taxes are supposed to be used for road maintenance...but judging by the condition of most of our roads, Lord knows where that cash is going.

 

[dadto1]

If only they would actually keep the roads in tip-top shape You're quite correct, those taxes are supposed to be used for road maintenance...but judging by the condition of most of our roads, Lord knows where that cash is going.

Yep, so is the money I pay to get a tag ($28.00 year), 4% tax to title a car, new $34.00 fee for emmissions testing to get an inspection sticker. All this for road maintenance and NC has the worst roads in the country per a DOT report I read the other day.

 

[AllyandJack]

A few years ago, DH's car needed a $3,000 realignment job because of the gas taxes put to good use.

Give the consumer the money back so they can replace their hub caps and fix their blown tires!!

Let's also not forget the tolls that are allegedly going to fix the roads.

I hit this one spot on 93 North in MA where I fly - literally, all 4 tires leaving the ground - if I go over 50mph while going over a part of the road that isn't level. That's fun. My own private Space Mountain.