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.

4,452 thoughts on “High Oil Prices?

  1. I’ve been wanting this Kanye West Graduation poster for a long time, and it’s a masterpiece. The detail is breathtaking, and it’s made my wall look amazing.

    As a lover of Kanye’s work, this poster is a must-have. The Graduation artwork make the room feel fresh and inspiring.

    I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who loves Graduation. The service from this site was fantastic, plus the poster is flawless.

    I’ll absolutely be a repeat customer, and I’m sure my friends will love this as much as I do. Thanks again for the amazing product!

  2. I’m so excited to have my Kanye West Graduation album poster, and the quality is out of this world. The detail is breathtaking, and it adds such a cool vibe to my place.

    Being a collector of Kanye memorabilia, this Graduation poster was a dream purchase. The intricate design from Kanye’s Graduation era look incredible up close.

    I can’t recommend this poster enough. The service from this site was fantastic, and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.

    I’m already planning to buy more posters, and I’m excited to share this with my friends. Thanks again for the amazing product!

  3. I’m so excited to have my Kanye West Graduation album poster, and it’s even better than I imagined. The detail is breathtaking, and it’s now the centerpiece of my space.

    Since I love the Graduation album, this artwork feels so special to own. The iconic bear design make the room feel fresh and inspiring.

    I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who loves Graduation. It was packaged perfectly and arrived in mint condition, and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.

    This is just the first of many posters I’ll get from here, and I’m excited to share this with my friends. Big thanks to this site for offering such awesome posters!

  4. I simply had to thank you very much once again. I am not sure the things I could possibly have worked on in the absence of the entire information revealed by you regarding such theme. Completely was a depressing matter in my opinion, nevertheless taking a look at the very expert fashion you resolved it forced me to weep with joy. Now i am happier for the guidance and hope you really know what a powerful job your are undertaking instructing others with the aid of a web site. Probably you haven’t got to know all of us.

  5. All by means of September there have been continuous gales that broke up the sleek seal-ice when it was only four or five feet thick, and pressured it inland, and piled an important barrier, some twenty miles broad, of lumped and ragged and needly ice, over which it was impossible to draw the dog-sleighs.

  6. I’ve been wanting this Kanye West Graduation poster for a long time, and the quality is out of this world. The design is so detailed and crisp, and it brings the whole room to life.

    Being a collector of Kanye memorabilia, this Graduation poster was a dream purchase. The symbolic visuals add a unique, artistic touch to my space.

    I highly suggest getting one if you’re a fan. The delivery was quick and hassle-free, and the quality of the poster is top-notch.

    This is just the first of many posters I’ll get from here, and I’m excited to share this with my friends. Big thanks to this site for offering such awesome posters!

  7. With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into
    any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a
    llot of exclusive content I’ve eitjer created myself or outsourced but it looks like a lott of it is
    popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know
    any ways to help redfuce content from being ripped off?
    I’d certainly appreciate it.
    리니지 투데이

  8. Does your website have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it
    but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog
    you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward
    to seeing it develop over time.

  9. Great post. I used to be checking continuously this weblog and I am impressed!
    Extremely useful info specifically the remaining phase :) I
    take care of such information a lot. I was looking for this particular
    information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

  10. Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to
    your site? My website is in the exact same niche as yours and my visitors would
    really benefit from some of the information you provide here.
    Please let me know if this ok with you. Thanks!

  11. Hi! This is my first visit to your blog!
    We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a
    community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on.
    You have done a wonderful job!

  12. I like the valuable information you supply to your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your weblog and take a look at once more here
    regularly. I am moderately certain I’ll be informed lots of new stuff
    right here! Good luck for the following!

  13. I’ve learn several just right stuff here.

    Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how
    so much attempt you place to make this kind of magnificent informative website.

  14. I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website.
    I am hoping to check out the same high-grade content from you in the future as
    well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very
    own blog now 😉

  15. Hello there, I discovered your site via Google even as looking for
    a comparable matter, your site got here up, it appears good.
    I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, just become aware of your weblog thru Google, and located that it’s really informative.
    I’m going to be careful for brussels. I will appreciate for those who
    continue this in future. Many people will probably be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

  16. Excellent article. Keep writing such kind of information on your page.

    Im really impressed by your blog.
    Hey there, You’ve performed a fantastic job. I will definitely digg it and in my view
    recommend to my friends. I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this site.

  17. Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your
    web site, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal.

    I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided
    bright clear concept

  18. Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to tears at work
    so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break.
    I love the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look
    when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast
    your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI,
    just 3G .. Anyhow, wonderful site!

  19. Hello there! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance from an established blog.
    Is it tough to set up your own blog? I’m not very
    techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
    I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start.
    Do you have any ideas or suggestions? With thanks

  20. I do accept as true with all the concepts you have presented
    to your post. They’re very convincing and will
    definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are too brief for starters.
    Could you please extend them a little from next time?
    Thank you for the post.

  21. You actually make it appear really easy with
    your presentation but I in finding this matter to
    be actually something that I believe I might by no means understand.
    It seems too complex and very extensive for me.

    I’m having a look ahead in your subsequent put up, I will try to get
    the grasp of it!

Leave a Reply

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