IndependntLogic
Senior Member
- Jul 14, 2011
- 2,997
- 399
- 48
So Obama gave a speech about regulating oil speculators and how they buy & sell. He was immediately blasted by CNN and Ali Velshi for this being a "political move".
Well of course, it's a political move! He's a politician. It's an election year. Duh.
Will the regulation Obama discussed lower prices at the pump? Almost certainly not. Obama really has no control over prices at the pump. We are a next exporter of gas, so prices are as low as they could be, based on Supply & Demand. Oil companies are not socialized in America. They are private companies that do what all private companies do: Make as much money as they can. That's what they are doing now. Sometimes, things are as simple as they seem. Big Oil is indeed, behind the prices at the pump but unless we want the government to take them over, that's just none of your business Mr. President.
So why is Obama proposing this regulation? It's political. It sounds nice. He can trumpet a horn and say he's fighting the big, evil Oil Dragon. That much is obvious.
Is this regulation a good thing? Based on what he described, it could be okay. If you want to buy stocks or bonds, you have to pay for them. Oil? Nope. Well not all of it, anyway. Oil futures can be bought & sold by paying for only small portion of the purchase. This does contribute to the volatility of the market.
So okay. This may or may not do something that isn't bad - we'll see how it's written up. But make no mistake about it - it won't make any difference at the pump and it's being done for purely political reasons. The primaries are over and campaign season is now in full swing.
Well of course, it's a political move! He's a politician. It's an election year. Duh.
Will the regulation Obama discussed lower prices at the pump? Almost certainly not. Obama really has no control over prices at the pump. We are a next exporter of gas, so prices are as low as they could be, based on Supply & Demand. Oil companies are not socialized in America. They are private companies that do what all private companies do: Make as much money as they can. That's what they are doing now. Sometimes, things are as simple as they seem. Big Oil is indeed, behind the prices at the pump but unless we want the government to take them over, that's just none of your business Mr. President.
So why is Obama proposing this regulation? It's political. It sounds nice. He can trumpet a horn and say he's fighting the big, evil Oil Dragon. That much is obvious.
Is this regulation a good thing? Based on what he described, it could be okay. If you want to buy stocks or bonds, you have to pay for them. Oil? Nope. Well not all of it, anyway. Oil futures can be bought & sold by paying for only small portion of the purchase. This does contribute to the volatility of the market.
So okay. This may or may not do something that isn't bad - we'll see how it's written up. But make no mistake about it - it won't make any difference at the pump and it's being done for purely political reasons. The primaries are over and campaign season is now in full swing.
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