Right-wing double standards on gas prices

Yoder777 · Jan 14, 2015

When Bush was president and gas prices reached four dollars a gallon, right-wingers said it wasn't Bush's fault because the president can do nothing about gas prices, and that the profit margin of the oil companies is low despite their massive profits, so we shouldn't be so alarmed about the cost of gas anyway.

When Obama runs for re-election, Obama is attacked by Republicans for not doing enough or somehow being responsible for the cost of gas.

Now that the price of gas is the lowest it's been in ten years, Republicans are giving Obama no credit for it whatsoever, and are still calling for the building of the Keystone Pipeline, supposedly to lower gas prices.

Which is it? Can Republicans have it both ways?

My honest assessment is that Republicans are today so blatantly in favor of corporations, defense contractors, and the wealthy that they must resort to misinformation and the ignorance of their voters. It's not like, these days, they've been making intellectual arguments in favor of conservative positions based on actual evidence.

ThatRobGuy · Jan 14, 2015

When you say right wingers, do you mean conservatives that you've actually interacted with? ...or loudmouths in the media claiming to be conservative?

I'm pretty conservative (at least from a constitutional perspective) and I don't recall ever having any conversations pertaining to gas prices and whether or not it's a particular politicians fault.

My honest assessment is that Republicans are today so blatantly in favor of corporations, defense contractors, and the wealthy that they must resort to misinformation and the ignorance of their voters. It's not like, these days, they've been making intellectual arguments in favor of conservative positions based on actual evidence.

So is this what you'd actually like to discuss? (and you simply chose to use gas prices as a segue into this?)

Jeffwhosoever · Jan 15, 2015

Do you not consider the solar energy corporations that Obama / Democrats gave free taxpayer dollars to "in favor of corporations?" Also, Obama has lead the effort to update nuclear gravity bombs, launch a new development of long range strategic nuclear bombers, and signed off on a dozen new nuclear attack submarines. Yes his policies led to significant reductions in Army personnel, but he launched a new war on ISIS, has pushed use of drones in attacks overseas, and maintained a healthy defense budget, so he isn't exactly pursuing a large scale reduction in military spending.

HonestTruth · Sep 16, 2015

Let's have plenty of right wing applause.

Avid · Sep 16, 2015

Yoder777 said:
When Bush was president and gas prices reached four dollars a gallon...

That price was because of a number of factors (Hurricane Katrina, etc.,) and lasted a short time. Gas prices were cheaper when Obama took office (6½ years ago) than they are now.

Yoder777 said:
... When Obama runs for re-election, Obama is Republicans for not doing enough or somehow being responsible for the cost of gas...

Obama stated his disdain for the Coal industry, and had a stated goal of bankrupting any who tried to start a new coal fired power plant. We have been led to believe high gas prices are the new "norm," like high food prices, high unemployment, etc.

Yoder777 said:
...Now that the price of gas is the lowest it's been in ten years...

Prices were a little cheaper a few years ago, but it lasted only a little while, as it seems this price slump may. Where do you get this thing of prices being lowest in ten years?

iluvatar5150 · Sep 17, 2015

Avid said:
That price was because of a number of factors (Hurricane Katrina, etc.,) and lasted a short time.

No, it didn't last a short time. Gas prices rose steadily (and exponentially) throughout his presidency, until the economy tanked and demand for gas dropped. From 2009-2011, the price rebounded to about where it was prior to the collapse, stayed fairly steady for a few years, then started declining again in the latter part of 2014.

http://www.randomuseless.info/gasprice/gasprice.html

Gas prices were cheaper when Obama took office (6½ years ago) than they are now.

Barely. Obama took office in Jan 2009, shortly after gas had reached its absolute lowest point of the crash, and just as it was starting a quick rebound. Within a few months, it had gained back a significant portion of the loss.

Prices were a little cheaper a few years ago, but it lasted only a little while,

No, prices weren't cheaper a few years ago, unless you're talking about during the crash.

Where do you get this thing of prices being lowest in ten years?

It's not quite accurate, but it's pretty close.

http://www.gasbuddy.com/Charts

http://www.randomuseless.info/gasprice/gasprice.html

HonestTruth · Sep 17, 2015

adjustments for inflation during the past 10+ years ??

morningstar2651 · Sep 17, 2015

miniverchivi said:
When you say right wingers, do you mean conservatives that you've actually interacted with? ...or loudmouths in the media claiming to be conservative?

I'm pretty conservative (at least from a constitutional perspective) and I don't recall ever having any conversations pertaining to gas prices and whether or not it's a particular politicians fault.

So is this what you'd actually like to discuss? (and you simply chose to use gas prices as a segue into this?)

I think the people the OP is referring to are the people that think Obama is a Kenyan Muslim and use words like Obummer, Obamunism, or Obamanation. They might not be the sharpest tools in the conservative shed, but they certainly are some of the loudest.

variant · Sep 19, 2015

Making peace with Iran lowers gas prices, so does weak Chinese demand and fracking, as does the rise of ISIS and the fractionation of OPEC, so it's not all Obama's doing nor is it not at all his doing.

HannahT · Sep 19, 2015

morningstar2651 said:
I think the people the OP is referring to are the people that think Obama is a Kenyan Muslim and use words like Obummer, Obamunism, or Obamanation. They might not be the sharpest tools in the conservative shed, but they certainly are some of the loudest.

lol you could be very right there!

I'm not sure what is accomplished by addressing parties on either side that tend to use these tactics. Goodness knows you hear the same nastiest coming from far left as well.

Talking to the extremes on either side is like talking to a wall. The chances of you getting any true mature and rational explanation on views isn't very likely.

Although the media sure does like that type, because it makes their broadcasts more juicy!

OldWiseGuy · Sep 19, 2015

Saudi Arabia is flooding the market with oil to lower the price enough to shut down the Bakken shale oil fields, which are a direct threat to OPEC. It's working too as the resulting low global price of crude won't support the more expensive processes needed to extract this shale oil, and many drilling operations there have already shut down. When Bakken is no longer producing the Arabs will reduce production and prices will rise. This may take some time so enjoy the low gas prices while you can.

AceHero · Sep 20, 2015

Yoder777 said:
When Obama runs for re-election, Obama is attacked by Republicans for not doing enough or somehow being responsible for the cost of gas...

Avid said:

Obama stated his disdain for the Coal industry, and had a stated goal of bankrupting any who tried to start a new coal fired power plant.

Click to expand...

The coal industry is doing fine just dying out on its own.

Avid said:
We have been led to believe high gas prices are the new "norm," like high food prices, high unemployment, etc.

They are in other countries. I myself am surprised gas prices decreased so much.

trunks2k · Sep 20, 2015

Avid said:
Prices were a little cheaper a few years ago, but it lasted only a little while, as it seems this price slump may. Where do you get this thing of prices being lowest in ten years?

It's at least close. t price of gas around here is less than 2.25. I've seen gas under $2 in NJ. It remember being excited in about 2003ish to see gas under $2 in NJ. Adjusting for inflation, it sounds about right.

Vylo · Sep 20, 2015

I think it has been hilarious how angry all the environmental groups have gotten at Obama over drilling and fracking.

"Listen, I like the environment too, but my policies on drilling are the only way you folks could afford to drive here to yell at me"

Jan Volkes · Sep 20, 2015

AceHero said:
They are in other countries. I myself am surprised gas prices decreased so much.

It's all to do with the world wide price of oil and has nothing to do with individual countries, individual countries only decide the price of their oil on the amount of tax it puts on it for it's own consumers.
The price of fuel in the UK is pretty much one of the highest in the world.

http://www.fuel-prices-europe.info/

Right-wing double standards on gas prices

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