Why Cheap Gas Is Great For America

"Steven Lang" (StevenLang) 12/16/2014 at 15:46 • Filed to: None

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Americans are not only saddled with the financial debts of their ancestors, but also the almost unkillable parasites of old school crony capitalism.

The corrupt cab operators who indirectly pay off cities to remove Uber, Lyft, and any everyday citizen who wants to monetize their own car. In practice, they are no different than the Teamsters who, even today, conspire to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

There is always a price that can be paid for a loophole that keeps prices high and competition low. It's been the American way of life for a long time.

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The cable and cell phone companies that, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , make Americans pay nearly three times the world average for high-speed internet. For all the billions extra that we pay these days versus the rest of the world, we have little to show for it. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! than the average American.

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The list of the public screwing of the average American is endless. From overpriced medications and hospital bills, to banking fees and 0% non-interest bearing bank accounts, to payday and title loans that are routinely well north of 300%.

Nothing screws Americans faster than a legalized theft cartel that controls the marketplace.

So this why I'm so glad to finally see that the price of oil is just beginning to reflect a price that isn't due to the restrictive outputs of a legalized cabal. Gas prices are headed straight for... reality, and with that, we may briefly experience, just for a short time !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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The !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for you and me. You pay less, a lot less, for a gallon of gas. If the average American couple pays the historical inflation adjusted average price for gas, $2.60 a gallon, they will save over $1200 a year compared to the price of gas six months ago.

In my world, that $100 month of difference saves an awful lot of folks from the late fees, overdraft charges, and the usurious interest rates of modern day America.

What is interesting to realize at this point is that what's good for the goose that is the American people, will be far greater for the gander that is our economy.

Let's start with the basics.

Nearly every physical good in America needs to be transported to a home or a business. Your computer. The materials that make up your home, your wardrobe, and your appliances. They all need to be transported somewhere before and after they are made.

The cost of all that freight and transport, coupled with the fuel costs that come with building the infrastructure needed to sustain the creation of all those goods, is astronomical. We're talking !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! which equates to over $750 billion given !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

When you hear about pundits of the modern day media talk about deflation as if it's a bad thing, that $750 billion number being reduced is primarily what they are talking about.

What they fail to mention is that a $50 price dive in crude !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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Our GDP growth will increase by 0.5% next year if that $50 seismic shift in oil prices holds true. Even if you take into account the reduction in fracking income, we will add !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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The global economy gets about double our GDP boost (1% vs. 0.5%) while the Arab dictatorships and Russian mafia end up on the losing side of GDP growth. This is what happens when a legalized theft cartel is popped.

So congratulations! You just got a nice big fat reduction in your auto spending for 2015. Want another two or three? Well, just remember that when someone tells you that low !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , you can always ask them to volunteer their hard earned paycheck to the noble cause that is the legalized cartel.

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deekster_caddy > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 16:06

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I agree with a lot of your article, but it's been decades since I saw a catalytic converter "fail". I have seen a few clog, due to poor maintenance, but not a 'failure'. Most of the cars I'm aware of that won't pass emissions are due to maintenance, sensors, gasket leaks, bad fuel injectors, etc. But not the cat.

claramag, Mustaco Master > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 16:09

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Preeeeety sure you just made half the same points as for raising the minimum wage, just different scaling.

Not saying your argument is bad. I just like seeing parallels.

Meatcoma > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 16:11

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Unfortunately most people don't want to keep their cars past 8 years.

Sn210 > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 16:30

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I hope the cable companies fall next!

Steven Lang > Sn210 12/16/2014 at 16:32

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I hope they all take the counter-clockwise spiral into technological obsolescence.

Steven Lang > deekster_caddy 12/16/2014 at 16:32

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It's by far the number one cause for folks trading in their vehicles out here in metro-Atlanta.

Steven Lang > claramag, Mustaco Master 12/16/2014 at 16:34

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Never thought of that. as the old saying goes, "It takes a meaning to catch a meaning."

E92M3 > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 16:34

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Or maybe the Big 3 weren't happy with how many hybrids were being sold by competitors and are using their pals in government to influence gas prices to make them less attractive to consumers?

Steven Lang > Meatcoma 12/16/2014 at 16:35

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Millions do, and tens of millions every year buy a used vehicle.

The average of an American car is over 11 years old now. That's the good news. the bad news is that for some models, it now cost about as much to replace the engine for a vehicle as it does the transmission.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > claramag, Mustaco Master 12/16/2014 at 16:39

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Money can be used to purchase goods and services. Due to lower commodity prices, most people have more money, which will be spent on more goods and services, thus increasing demand for labor, et cetera ad nauseum.

Works for me. If this helps grow the economy, we're all better off.

The best way to grow the economy is to spread resources around to the greatest pool of people. One wealthy family with a $5,000,000 annual income can only use so many resources and will sock away most of that income in savings and investment funds that don't actually touch the real economy. 100 families with $50,000 annual income will use far more, and any extra cash they have is often put right back into the economy to catch up on the things they need. Thus, they'll be creating more demand for goods and services, which in turn creates demand for labor, etc...

qbeezy > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 16:54

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The lower gas is nice, but eventually it will increase and be higher before the drop. America was built on cheap ouo, majority of the oil for that fact, doesn't really surprise me to see the GDP/oil price graph.

To "partially" defend cable companies, they are often over regulated with tariffs. There are 51 entities after taxes against your company (states and feds) local governments don't work with you to help replace the aging copper infrastructure with modern fiber optics, and there is just too much damn land to cover in the united states.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > E92M3 12/16/2014 at 17:28

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Oil company stock prices are cratering with lower oil prices. The price drop has nothing to do with any government decision and everything to do with the current glut from the rapid increase in US production over the past couple years and OPEC's decision to not cut back production (yet) based on low prices. Pretty much all oil companies are cutting back their drilling budgets for next year based on current commodity prices, but even with reduced production, the estimates are that supplies will continue to increase until mid-2015. Enjoy $2 gasoline while you can, but prices should correct in late 2015 or early 2016. It will be interesting to see where things stabilize after that. Clearly, all this is assuming that there are no major conflicts that erupt in oil-producing countries between now and then, and OPEC continues with the status quo (which may be hard to do - several members can't make money at current prices).

Georgeyboy > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 17:29

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My $1200 was easily offset by my pretty substantial loss in my oil and gas mlps. Oh well.

Tohru > Sn210 12/16/2014 at 17:31

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As a Charter employee - dude, no. Let Comcast die, but I need a job.

Manuél Ferrari > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 17:48

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I applaud your post!

I will join your fight to take down crony capitalism

We shall work to bring back the days when all cars had manual transmissions that needed nothing other than clutch jobs and you could keep your car as long as your heart desired as long as you were willing to change the clutch, rebuild the engine and replace all the rubber components every 10 years or so.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 18:02

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You know what else will help?

Repealing Citizens United, reinstating regulations on the banks and credit industry, forcing higher wages for employees at companies like Walmart and McDonald's, telling the telcos to go fuck themselves.

Most of un-elect EVERYONE from office

Bunch of greedy, corrupt, worthless waste of blood and organs.

/not cynical at all

AntiLag > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 18:23

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I'm just happy the Arabs are losing power in the world. Countries that are pro segregation, enforce religious laws with religious police, and maintain a strong stance against the overall advancement of mankind don't deserve to have money.

Sn210 > Tohru 12/16/2014 at 18:26

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oh right, sorry :/

I'm cool with comcast going down

For Sweden > Tohru 12/16/2014 at 18:28

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Time to charter a new course?

AntiLag > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 12/16/2014 at 18:28

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Clearing house won't do crap. Our whole system of government is based on the ideals that people, as individuals, will put the welfare of the greater population above their own, just because people as a group would be willing to do so. It's not human nature.

DaytonaViperFirebirdLotus > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 18:28

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Don't we have some of the lowest gas prices in the world even though we're getting screwed by the man?

http://www.bloomberg.com/visual-data/ga…

Also telcos usually price by market depending on what the market would bear. They'd never be able to sell internet service in Greece for the price they sell it for in the US. Most of those countries are gravy on the profit so they can afford to charge very little because the richer countries pick up the tab on the expenses. Same will pharma.

drdude > claramag, Mustaco Master 12/16/2014 at 18:32

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the other half of his article could work for lowering the minimum wage...

Jesse Shaffer > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 18:32

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How does this affect the petrodollar?

OttoMaddox > deekster_caddy 12/16/2014 at 18:35

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One word: Volkswagen.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 18:38

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But the question is how long will it last, especially with China democratizing automobiles...

OttoMaddox > E92M3 12/16/2014 at 18:38

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My guess is that the Saudis are driving down oil prices to stop US and Canadian oil production to keep us dependent on them.

DetroitMuscle > Sn210 12/16/2014 at 18:39

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Unfortunately the thousand dollar savings on gas over a year doesn't begin to make up for the several thousand dollar loss suffered by the decreasing value of the average 401k, due to panic in equities over the lowered value of gasoline.

MaleChimp > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 12/16/2014 at 18:39

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"investment funds that don't actually touch the real economy"?

Think about that statement for a second. If anything, investment funds more directly grow the economy than spending on consumer goods.

captain_spleen > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 18:40

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Doesn't stop Fox News from acting like it's doom for the economy.

DRILL BABY DRILL.

OH FUCK YOU DRILLED, NOW THE ECONOMY IS DOOMED.

claramag, Mustaco Master > drdude 12/16/2014 at 18:41

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AND the first two paragraphs could be used for a pro-anarchist column.

Ari Schwartz: Dark Lord of the Snark > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 18:42

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I hate to rain on the parade here, but the prices of WTI/Brent being so low is in no small part BECAUSE the Arab dictatorships want to screw American and Russian oil producers out of the market. By keeping prices low, producers like Saudi Aramco are ensuring that producers in the US and Russia who have generally higher per barrel costs will be further shut out of the market.

OPEC isn't being popped here. They're playing their hand. It would be incredibly easy for Saudi Aramco to halt production and drive prices up again. But they don't because low prices are affordable to them for now due to massive foreign reserves and long-term capital investment. They can weather price fluctuations. Russia, in the midst of sanctions, cannot. American producers with high marginal costs doing fracturing and horizontal drilling, cannot.

The second non-OPEC players are out and supply starts waning due to lack of profitability, I bet we see Saudi Aramco drop production to bring prices back up to $100/bbl.

guppysb > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 18:44

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I dunno Stephen, I love cheap gas as much as the next guy, but compared to the rest of the world, we're paying less than 1/2 of what other countries are paying. In France, earlier this year, I paid nearly $11 for a gallon of gas (cheapest was in Austria for roughly $9 a gallon), and this is when the California 91 gas around the Bay Area was below $4 a gallon.

The rest of the world also pays a lot more for electronics, cars, alcohol, etc etc. The best story I can remember is, I was looking at a bottle of Macallan 12 year old in France, in a popular grocery store chain, forgot the name. It was nearly $90 for the bottle. Think of it, Scotland (where Macallan's distillery is) is a lot closer to France than to California. I can get that same bottle here, without being on sale, for roughly $42. The bottle travels further and yet costs less than half of what it would cost in France. Iphone 6 in India during launch was $1200 for the base model, yet here it costs roughly $650, and only $200 if you have a contract (no subsidized plans even exist in India). My Uncle's Hyundia Elantra cost him roughly $36000 in India, and the same exact specified model here (California) costs roughly $21,000. And I am sure I don't have to tell you that the average Indian does not even come half way to what an average American makes in a year.

And sure, most of it is due to that country's legislation, import taxes, other tariffs, and a plethora of other reasons. But that's my point. We in the USA have it pretty good, compared to the rest of the world. Our lives in the USA, are much better than some other countries. Sure, there are always improvements to be made (and should be made) for the average hard working American, but putting things into perspective is something I always think about.

GeorgeyBoy > MaleChimp 12/16/2014 at 18:48

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Depends.

thebigbossyboss > Ari Schwartz: Dark Lord of the Snark 12/16/2014 at 18:48

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In general yes. Saudi Arabia is also enjoying squeezing IS who has been selling on the spot market and Iran.

SNL-LOL > MaleChimp 12/16/2014 at 18:51

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Four letters— R E I T

People have no clue how many livelihoods depend on it.

Ari Schwartz: Dark Lord of the Snark > thebigbossyboss 12/16/2014 at 18:52

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I think a lot of people don't realize that oil is a fungible commodity that is sold in an extraordinarily complex market with spot and futures prices. While no single factor is controlling oil prices, let's be real here: KSA can easily drop production from its current 10 m bbl/day.

Oil prices are down in part because of fundamentals, in part because of perception. But KSA could play both soooo easily.

timgray > Sn210 12/16/2014 at 18:53

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I pray every night that all Comcast buildings get hit by asteroids. Or that the Executives actually become honest.

I'm betting the chances of asteroids only hitting Comcast buildings is going to happen first.

User1312 > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 18:54

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1. 90% of those paying late fees and overdraft fees every month will not use this reduction in fuel costs to catch up. They will use the savings to purchase something for entertainment. Which is fine, if you can afford to pay your monthly bills on time. #hatersgonnahate

2. A reduction in fuel costs is a huge boon to those in the transportation business. But the average American has been paying for that high-cost fuel in our daily purchases. The process behind the sales floor is extremely complex, and while I could see the average shopper understanding the benefit of reduce fuel tying to product shipment, there's little information to produce a solid estimate on just how proportionate those savings are. Retail prices will not reduce (slowed increase at best), transporters will increase profits.

3. As argued on Jalopnik before, reduced fuel cost is not good news for the quality of our roadway infrastructure. More traffic, less tax revenue.

4. Organized control of the market indeed suffers from a drop in demand and the subsequent drop in msrp. But this is temporary. Oil refinement will drop, idiots will unnecessarily buy Tahoes, fuel consumption will rise, prices will return to their high levels. The sense of justice portrayed is fleeting.

5. I swear I'm not trying to be a troll. And it would be immature of me to attack without presenting alternatives. Here's what I recommend the public do. Realize that prices will rise again, so don't go out and buy a Tahoe. Enjoy the reduced costs, catch up on any late bills. Take a road trip, have some fun. Use part of the savings to upgrade your tires and tune up your ride. Enjoy the moment, but plan for tomorrow..

lorem ipsum > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 18:56

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Don't get me wrong, I like cheap gas as much as the next guy, but I do think that it's preposterous just how cheap it is here in the land of the free. First of all, if gas wasn't subsidized to the degree that it is now, maybe the government could spend some of that money on subsidizing other things (college education!) that would massively benefit our country. Secondly, I actually am kind of a big fan of our planet, and I like seeing pretty animals and plants and mountains— making a tank of gas cheaper to buy than a hooker in Tijuana is only going to perpetuate the consumption and production of outdated, environmentally-unsound technologies.

On the flip side: gas is so fucking cheap that the opening scene from Zoolander now seems like a tempting reality...

Honesty > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 12/16/2014 at 18:57

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+1 for Simpsons reference in first sentence.

That's right, I caught that.

lorem ipsum > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 12/16/2014 at 18:59

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Don't forget to get rid of the electoral college, cap the amount of money a politician can spend on a campaign, and downsize congress to 100 people. Maybe then we'll have a government that isn't populated exclusively by the rich, and that will actually get something done.

PatBateman > Manuél Ferrari 12/16/2014 at 19:01

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We must first go after companies in California. :)

fcvkvrfxxligns > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 19:03

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Although the low gas prices are awesome for the time being, oil companies are also cutting investments for 2015. Expect to see a shortage of oil, ultimately driving prices right back up.

kanemack > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 19:04

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On the trucking industry here in the fine state of Illinois, when they get X amount for a load, they care not if gas is lower. Diesel is still close to $4 here. I hope as a trend prices go down, but oil speculation is still the 800lb gorilla. Besides, the one thing no one is talking about, what happens when oil prices slide and another conflict breaks out? All those people who budgeted at $2.25 and now pay $4 again are out of luck.

Manuél Ferrari > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 19:08

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why? ;(

PeteRR > lorem ipsum 12/16/2014 at 19:13

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Gasoline isn't subsidized. Government makes more per gallon than the oil companies do.

Why do you hate Mexican single Moms? They have rent to pay and families to feed.

Gas is not cheap. 15 years ago I was paying 79 cents per gallon for Regular. That was cheap.

Eli's Got 2 > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 19:16

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yeah... Why?!?!

LSXforYourSuperCar > Sn210 12/16/2014 at 19:17

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Technology there is nothing standing in the way of pay-per-program model of TV delivery other than the cable/satellite companies.

"If you only pay for what you actually watch there's no way we can justify charging you $150 a month for your programs!"

Rico > lorem ipsum 12/16/2014 at 19:19

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Don't worry companies are not going to suddenly reverse course on reducing emissions and consumption because 1. They've already been investing millions and have tons more invested/tied up in R and D and 2. Government regulations are not just suddenly non existent, they've continued to become more strict and many policies will continue to be enforced well into 2015 and 2016.

Basically gas will be cheaper and MPGs will continue to go up across models in every category. So win-win.

Sn210 > LSXforYourSuperCar 12/16/2014 at 19:20

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ugh I WISH I paid $150 a month

EchtoGammut > drdude 12/16/2014 at 19:24

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That would depend on the number of people at the minimum wage and the relative profit loss companies would experience from an increase. So far every experiment at raising the minimum wage has resulted in no increase in the cost of goods and no report significant decrease in profits. The reason the number of people matters, is because when you pay people more they spend more, especially at the lower income levels. This increase in spending boosts the economy. When rich people get more money, they tend to save it or invest it in stocks (which does not necessarily result in more jobs).

PatBateman > Manuél Ferrari 12/16/2014 at 19:24

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LOL Because I'm jealous of your weather. THAT'S WHY.

DonKeybals > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 19:24

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Here's a thought: Drive conservatively, and drive smart. Don't drive a gas guzzler, and be smart about what cars you buy. If a car cost $20k, out the door, it doesn't mean you plop down $20k and you're done. There are costs associated with keeping the car running, fuel costs being one of the major factors. If you can't afford the gas, why would you get something that gets less than 20 mpg combined?

So if you're cruising around town in a Tahoe, and gas prices go up exponentially, don't come crying to me about being strapped for money. You're the dumbass making a daily commute in a full size SUV.

PatBateman > Eli's Got 2 12/16/2014 at 19:25

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Jealous about weather.

GLHNSLHT2 > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 19:27

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Wow, nice to see it only took 6 years for someone to figure it out and put it in writing. How people could vote for someone that said "I wouldn't mind seeing $5 a gallon prices" is beyond my mental capability. To me how low gas prices help the economy is common sense. Maybe I'm the odd one out of the lower 99% in this nation but it can't be rocket science that if you put more money in everyone's pocket by reducing what they have to take out then they'll spend that extra cash. Wouldn't it be nice if they figured this out with Taxes too??

thebigbossyboss > Ari Schwartz: Dark Lord of the Snark 12/16/2014 at 19:28

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I agree, although ksa (while still powerful) in my opinion has less sway today than they did 15 years ago. The market has diversified a bit, but the cartel (for political reasons) is the main factor behind the decline.

Eli's Got 2 > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 19:29

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I would be too, if I were you. ;) Your state blows. Hahahaha

Rusty Shackleford > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 19:31

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Cheap gas is good because I can drive my GTI like a total fucktard and afford it. Saying I could, not that I would.

GLHNSLHT2 > claramag, Mustaco Master 12/16/2014 at 19:31

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Agreed, here in Wa State we have one of if not thee highest minimum wages. Everytime minimum wage goes up everything at the store goes up to cover it. I don't make minimum wage but am just a couple bucks above it. And everytime it goes up I get hit in the pocket book. Just can't get ahead no matter how hard I try. Chaps my hide to tip 10-20% at a resturaunt when that just means those guys made $6 more an hour than I do for doing hardly anything. If I could stand to deal with people constantly I'd be doing it. But I can't do mindless work dealing with people all day.

PatBateman > Eli's Got 2 12/16/2014 at 19:31

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My state does NOT blow, thank you very much!!! LOL

We just have crappy weather during the summer.

Ari Schwartz: Dark Lord of the Snark > thebigbossyboss 12/16/2014 at 19:32

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Yeah, that's true too. I think KSA is still capable of managing swings, though. That said, I think they politically hold a lot of sway within OPEC. Regardless, I can't imagine other OPEC members being too torn up about the US and Russia being pushed out a bit.

Eli's Got 2 > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 19:34

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It totally BLOWS lol *dies laughing*

Manuél Ferrari > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 19:34

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LOL

Did you see the Gawker post about our water going away after an earthquake?

PatBateman > Eli's Got 2 12/16/2014 at 19:35

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You know what blows? What really REALLY blows?

The Giants.

kanemack > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 19:37

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Best example of "dead= more money than living" is the E30 bmw. Lemme tell you, those cars are a cash cow if you're willing to take the abuse of the community for chopping them. Here's the breakdown:

Buy a running car with some panel rot(or not, as often was done) for about $600

Doors $100 a pop with good mirrors and motors, so a 4 door = $400

Motor/trans $350(for an "I" motor maybe $450"

Hood/deck lid $75 each

God willing the dash is mint $150

Interior whatever you can get depending on condition. Tool kit complete...bucks!

In my state you can't scrap a car whole, so cut it into 4 pieces - $400

Timing is most important. Warm weather is a must. Done this a few times, and kept the parts needed to finish a project car or 3. Also you make a lot of new friends. Around here there are no junkyards with E30s. Also keep in mind the little stuff. Racks,cigarette lighters, and sway bars in good shape sell well. Computer and harness even sell. I could go on all day about the stuff people asked if I was selling.

Moteel > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 19:38

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It's about time for the average American to have a little extra cash in their pocket for the holidays. Good for our economy, too. As far as greedy oil companies, greedy shareholders and speculators go, happy holiday and go screw yourself.

Eli's Got 2 > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 19:38

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WOW, LOW BLOW BRO. LOL I mean, because the Texans are soooooooo good?

theWong > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 19:39

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Cheap gas is nominal savings for me! Mostly because I don't drive enough (around 10k) so I save sweet $200/yr on premium! Whooh. Rather get wage increase instead.

thebigbossyboss > Ari Schwartz: Dark Lord of the Snark 12/16/2014 at 19:40

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oh its definitely why Saudi has pushed for this in opec. Opec states with a lot of foreign reserves will be able to cushion the blow. Those such as Libya, Venezuela and Iran who are hurting economically have been thrown under the bus.

TwoWheelsAmazing > MaleChimp 12/16/2014 at 19:40

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You realize that 2/3's of the economy is tide to consumer spending. The lower classes do far more spending then then the upper classes. Investment funds help only help the already rich because they have stake in the game. Yes the economy keeps getting better but because none of the lower class has money in in the market they don't profit from any of it.

PatBateman > Manuél Ferrari 12/16/2014 at 19:42

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I did! As you know, Gawker is well known for their hard-hitting accurate reporting.

PatBateman > Eli's Got 2 12/16/2014 at 19:43

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They are good! Just not REALLY good. A .500 team that just lost our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd string QBs. It's going to be ugly on Sunday. You can harass me on CL during the game (I'll be there).

Ark > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 19:44

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You're ignoring the massive external costs of cheap oil.

Detroit 9000 > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 19:45

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Hey Texas ass holes. I understand ranching. But if you live in El Paso and drive to Dallas every day for work in the CITY for a desk job, you might not need an F-350. Thanks. Signed a non-liberal Yankee jerkoff that loves big vehicles and V-8 engines. But, draw a fucking line. Thanks again.

kanemack > kanemack 12/16/2014 at 19:46

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WTF! I posted on a different thread and it landed here. Remove or send to the Oppo Have you ever owned a car worth more dead" thread. Sorry guys. Might be a browser thing.

Ari Schwartz: Dark Lord of the Snark > thebigbossyboss 12/16/2014 at 19:47

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I'm sure KSA is crying so many salty tears over Iran, eh?

Detroit 9000 > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 19:49

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I guess breathing fire smoke is a greater than napalm in the morning. FUCK CALIFORNIA. I'm sorry I have visited the shithole past my childhood. Stuck working on a hybrid vehicle program for the damn hippies...do they realize that mining and processing the lithium and many other rare earth materials for the electronics in their hippie cars makes the reduced tail pipe emissions mother fucking WORTHLESS?!?

themag5 > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 12/16/2014 at 19:51

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The guy making $50K dollars has a job because of the $5,000,000 guy owns a business.

icelandr > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 19:51

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Biggest question is when the cost of equipment will go back to a "normal" price. All diesel vehicles or equipment has seen at least a $10k jump due to EPA policy, and that isn't going to change with the oil price changes. That in itself has to be a cartel like organization, I bet the policy makers have major stakes in companies that hold I.P. for the material used in the exhaust reduction systems.

Manuél Ferrari > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 19:55

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WATT for QB!

Manuél Ferrari > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 19:55

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super hard hitting reporting

did you see the post about "i bet Putin is gonna do something crazy!"?

Eli's Got 2 > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 19:56

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So what you are saying is they are average? I'll agree with that and give you the QB situation. Wow.

I haven't really been following much of anything lately. :/ okay. Maybe I'll hang out in there a bit. :)

teknishn > Steven Lang 12/16/2014 at 19:57

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I'm still epicly pissed that only unleaded has seemed to move. Seriously somebody needs to get kicked in the junk. Im still paying mini bar prices for Premium and Diesel. Im talking a dollar or more per gallon for diesel depending on where you go.... and Premium is still of kilter as well.

PatBateman > Manuél Ferrari 12/16/2014 at 20:04

1

YESSSSSS!!! I'll be at the game, so HELL yes.

PatBateman > Manuél Ferrari 12/16/2014 at 20:05

1

LOL No, I didn't catch that one!! What did it say?

PatBateman > Eli's Got 2 12/16/2014 at 20:07

1

On Sunday, out 3rd string QB (Tom Savage) had a hyperextended knee towards the end of the game. This is AFTER Fitzpatrick broke his tibula.

Our emergency QB luckily didn't have to go in. He's our punter, that last played QB in high school.

LSXforYourSuperCar > Tohru 12/16/2014 at 20:13

0

I still regret the millions of farriers that can longer make a living shoeing horses now that we all drive cars that don't have hoves.

On the bright side we'll still need companies like Charter to provide and maintain our broadband network, so your profession might not be completely redundant.

vailima750 > Tohru 12/16/2014 at 20:15

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If this is my friend Mike who works at Charter (no one calls him Mike, which is why I'm comfortable posting his name (it's not even really his name)) then no, I keep telling you can come work for us, you don't have to work for f**king Charter. Hell, you could work for Ed Jones would be better than that soul-sucking hell hole of a job.

E92M3 > OttoMaddox 12/16/2014 at 20:21

1

That makes the most sense. Once it's no longer worth it to spend money exploring for and extracting oil in the US we will be dependant on them again. What we really need is another refinery in the US. No one wants to spend the trillion dollars to build it (not to mention no state will want it on their land).

The Phantom Flame > lorem ipsum 12/16/2014 at 20:27

4

100 people to respond do the wishes of 330 million or whatever the number is now? I don't think you fully understand what you're advocating.

Manuél Ferrari > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 20:29

0

NICE!!!

Tohru > vailima750 12/16/2014 at 20:29

0

No, I live in Wisconsin.

Eli's Got 2 > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 20:29

1

tibula? Lol

punter? OMFG I may need to watch that game

Manuél Ferrari > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 20:30

0

can you imagine WATT at QB? imagine how scared the defenders would be every time he decided to run with the ball. he's fast enough to run around the big guys. and the fast small defenders would be too scared shitless to try to tackle him!

Manuél Ferrari > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 20:30

0

basically just that. "hey Russia is in deep shit right now and Putin's crazy so I bet he will do some crazy shit"

some fine investigative journalism right there!

PatBateman > Eli's Got 2 12/16/2014 at 20:31

1

The punter put his helmet on and then kind of hid behind some other players.

Manuél Ferrari > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 20:31

0

you can't even make this shit up...

Manuél Ferrari > PatBateman 12/16/2014 at 20:31

1

it's like the Texans and Cardinals were cursed by the QB Gods

Jason Adrian > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 12/16/2014 at 20:34

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The only thing that's given people jitters: the largest group of high-paying American jobs post-crisis have come from shale, which also has among the highest marginal production costs and is therefore at risk of shutting down if oil becomes too depressed.

Luckily it seem oil will settle in the low $70s or so, but there's still a risk.

Tohru > For Sweden 12/16/2014 at 20:35

0

b-but... I need money...