Plenty of Blame

I guess one of the biggest issues of the day is the rising cost of gasoline. Hardly a conversation is carried on without mention of the topic. And that is understandable given that fuel costs affect the price of most everything we buy. So who is to blame for this dilema? Surely someone is to blame. Certainly a scapegoat can be found to carry the burden of blame.

Oh yeah, we have a scapegoat. Prsident Bush. According to most people he is the blame. I mean, he comes from Big Oil does he not? Hasn't he single-handedly started a war for his sole interest and for Big Oil? Some of the most genius minds, like Keith Olberman, and arm chair politicians, see John Stewart, have said so. And they are brilliant! If you are not sure about it, just ask them and they will tell you. But that is a different story for a different blog. And I for one take the minority view that this is not the fault of President Bush. If fuel costs would have risen even without the war, which they would have, people would be screaming for the president to do something. We should not invade other countries over moral or ethical atrocities, defense, or stability for our allies but we should go to war when it affects our pocketbooks. Bomb 'em all, for they have caused me great grief and overtaxed my bank account! But this is a topic for another day and another blog.

So in getting back to rising fuel costs, I understand we have a scapegoat in our president. And I know that really is what is important, shifting blame and not facing our own contributions of fault. Besides, he isn't human he's a politician.

But isn't there enough blame to go around? Foreign oil producers, especially the Saudis, truly are our friends. So why in their generosity and kindness have they continues to gouge us on oil? I do understand that oil is the only thing they have and when it runs out, unless sand becomes a valuable commodity, that the only thing that will save them is the fact that they own most of our country by that time. I also understand that they have shifted some blame to the global market thing and that China and India have overburdened such economy. And i realize that there is some truth in that statement. I guess I am just skeptical about the supply and demand issue. When demand goes up price goes up, and in the case of crude oil, by about three million percent. But the same product can increase supply and the price merely drops three percent.

And on that point I move the finger towards refineries and American businesses. Since they are being gouged, they pass it along to us consumers. And they really aren't entitled to make a profit. After all, they are not real people they are oil companies. And they only make an eight percent profit these days. Most businesses want to see more than an eight percent profit margin. But eight percent of two hundred billion dollars is alot more than eight percent of two hundred million. So how much is enough? We love capitalism and all it stands for as long as it benefits us personally. So shouldn't we punish the evil oil companies for their greed? Even though they pay a large share of the taxes from the business sector?

Which shifts the blame to our government. Why don't they ease some restrictions and taxes? I know the tax money is neede for pork and social programs, but wouldn't allowing one of the only markets making any money these days to operate with less interference and restrictions ultimately help the consumer? Because the way it is now is about like the way the cigarette tax has gone. Government finds evil, taxes evil to a greater extent, evil passes that added expense to the consumer, then the worker is hurt in areas other than cigarettes. Oh the poor consumer.

Which brings me to the last section of blame for today. Aren't we tired of people holding guns to our head and making us consume as much gasoline as we do? Aren't we tired of being responsible with our individual choices and priorites, only to get gouged by so many people both foreign and domestic? No, we can't be the blame. Besides, we're not people were just consumers. We've been forced to use as much gas as we have been using. We haven't had a choice in our cars or lifestyles. We do care deeply about the six toed owl and policies that will cause him to live better than our fellow man. We do love capitialism. We want everyone to experience liberty if it doesn't cost too much. We are true patriots.

Samuel Johnson is credited as creating one of my favorite quotes:

"Patriotism is the final refuge of a scoundrel"

If you don't think that, just watch the way we shift the blame.