High Oil Prices?

Why are oil prices shooting through the roof lately?  Well, it seems like TV pundits blame everything except the single institution that has the largest influence on what oil is traded at, and that is the Federal Reserve.  Some things might cause brief spikes in the price of oil, like shortages in supply, but the main cause for gas at the pump getting more expensive over time is the Federal Reserve. The real frustrating thing is that TV pundits seem not to have a clue and have not mentioned monetary policy at all.  Left or Right, the mainstream media seems totally clueless.  Bill Orielly had a discussion with Lou Dobbs about oil prices and not only did the two not mention the FED once but, they don’t seem to understand basic economics either.  The conversation went something like Dobbs telling O’Rielly that the oil refined in the United States is being sent overseas.  Well, this should not be surprising considering that oil refining is a highly complex process that third world countries often do not have the industry to refine themselves.  Therefore many countries ship their crude here and when it is refined it is shipped back overseas.  This is not some kind of complex plot where oil companies are taking advantage of American customers.They are simply selling refined oil on the world market at it’s commodity price.  O’Rielly seems to think that there is some kind of price fixing going on because gas is at such a similar price between different gas stations.  This is pretty easy to understand when you realize that oil and gas are not consumer goods like tennis shoes. They are instead commodities like beef, gold, copper, and many other industrial products.  The margins are very small when looking at any commodity because commodities by definition are homogenous, unlike two pairs of shoes that are likely very different.  If you went around town trying to buy gold or silver bullion at different coin shops, you would notice that the prices are pretty similar if not almost exactly the same.  Same is true for industrial metals like copper, the going rate is the going rate.  Additionally, oil, gas, gold, and copper are in a world market, the price of each is nearly uniform around the world, gold costs the same in Shanghai as it does in New York.  Oil, before taxes, has a very similar cost as well.  The real variable here is the dollar. When the dollar loses value, the price of oil goes up.  If you want someone to blame for high gas prices look no further than the Federal Reserve.

 

Some people might say that the government owning so much land and preventing drilling is pushing the price of oil up.  This might be true to some extent, and I would agree that opening up more land for oil exploration would be a good idea but, this does not explain how a gallon of gas used to cost a dime and will now likely be five dollars by summer.  The reason that gas is so high this year should be put into consideration of what the Federal Reserve’s actions have been over the last four years.  The FED has pumped trillions of dollars into the economy but, this has been mostly absorbed by the big banks where they have kept the money preventing it from being pushed into the economy.  We are begging to see the affects of this money as it enters the economy, for food and many other commodities have been inflated up 10% in 2011.  The drive up in the stock market to 13,000 has also been a result of inflation because Wall Street is always one of the first in line for newly printed money.  We are finally starting to feel the beginning of the price inflation that comes about when the Fed doubles the monetary base.  If the economy shoots up to full employment we might even see ten dollar gas but, to be honest we truly do not know because monetary inflation affects different sectors of the economy in different degrees.  Oil, though, is one commodity that is almost always affected by monetary inflation (so is food for that matter, interesting how neither is included in the official CPI).  When oil starts going up in price for long periods of time, it is likely that we will see inflation in other areas as well.

 

In conclusion:

 

The Federal Rerserve is the most to blame for oil prices going through the roof.  Someday the media might catch on to this too but, don’t hold your breath, they have been blaming everything else for 50 years.

4,495 thoughts on “High Oil Prices?

  1. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering
    what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would
    cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so
    I’m not 100% certain. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Appreciate it

  2. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  3. Howdy! This blog post could not be written any better! Looking at this post reminds me of my previous
    roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I’ll send this information to him.
    Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!

  4. Simply wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your submit is just great and i could think
    you’re a professional in this subject. Well with your permission let me to grasp your RSS feed to stay up to
    date with imminent post. Thank you one million and please continue the rewarding work.

  5. This is a great tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
    Brief but very accurate information… Thank you for sharing this one.
    A must read article!

  6. I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether
    this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my problem.
    You’re incredible! Thanks!

  7. I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
    I’m quite sure I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right
    here! Good luck for the next!

  8. Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really understand what you’re talking about!
    Bookmarked. Kindly additionally talk over with my web site
    =). We could have a hyperlink alternate agreement
    between us

  9. It’s really a nice and useful piece of info. I’m satisfied that you shared this helpful information with us.
    Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  10. Thanks for another fantastic post. The place else could
    anyone get that type of information in such an ideal approach of writing?
    I have a presentation next week, and I’m at the search
    for such information.

  11. I was extremely pleased to discover this page.

    I need to to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!!
    I definitely really liked every bit of it and i also have you saved to
    fav to see new information in your blog.

  12. I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I’m
    not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about
    my problem. You’re wonderful! Thanks!

  13. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to
    assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.

  14. I got this website from my pal who shared with me regarding
    this web site and at the moment this time I am browsing this website
    and reading very informative articles or reviews at this time.

  15. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just
    your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all.
    But think of if you added some great graphics or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”!
    Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this website could definitely be one of the most beneficial in its field.
    Very good blog!

  16. Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

  17. My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find most
    of your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for.
    can you offer guest writers to write content for yourself?

    I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on some of the subjects
    you write concerning here. Again, awesome website!

  18. Hey there I am so thrilled I found your website, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Google
    for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say thank
    you for a fantastic post and a all round interesting blog (I
    also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it
    all at the moment but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have
    time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome jo.

  19. Good day! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before but
    after going through many of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back often!

  20. Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog
    and I’m inspired! Extremely useful info specifically the ultimate section :
    ) I take care of such info much. I was seeking this certain info for a long time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

  21. Hello there! This post could not be written much better!
    Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He constantly kept preaching about this. I am going to send
    this post to him. Pretty sure he’s going to
    have a very good read. I appreciate you for sharing!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *