To the People
I wonder how Democrats can posture against Wal-Mart when it is offering $4 generic prescriptions, which could single-handedly impact the rise of health care costs, a favorite Dem theme. The lack of logic of the Dem's anti Wal-Mart crusade is total.
I too resent government interference in the free market.
With that said, the oil market is not free. 1. The companies receive subsidies. 2. The corporations (a state creation) pay taxes differntly than individuals (rates and available deductions) 3. These corps lobby the govenment to keep out competition in Gas production, gas imports etc. 4. There is no alternate useful product. 5. Futures market created and authorized by the govt. These are not free markets.
By analogy, suppose I open a lemonade stand. In a free market - I have to compete with neighbors who can also open a stand or make it themselves. I also compete with other producers (Coke, Pepsi) of other products that may be consumed in the same manner. Now imagine I lobby the town council to grant licenses to lemon stands, or collude with lemon producers to limit lemon supply, etc. Once that collusion occurs or licensing occurs, the market is no longer free.
Note, Much of the reason that prices have fallen is that we are nearing capacity for oil storage - b/c of the speculation purchases of oil that was ultimately hoarded for future sale. Once capacity is reached - we can't store any more and back it goes into the market - prices fall. This doesn't address how companies market price gas, etc.
oh and the other reason is Bush and the Mid term elections 
I've given up trying to figure out how/why the democrats are so dstupid. It's truly mind-boggling how they not only don't seize any opportunites (I hear there are a few wars that haven't been going too well.....) but they can't even come up with issues that help them.
Fun to watch
And 6: The majority of big oil companies are state owned enterprises.
Commenting by HaloScan
