Everyone is being affected with higher gas prices. Why are we seeing higher prices at the pump? This forum has members all over the world. What are your thoughts about this and who do we need to contact to complain? What are the gas prices in your area?

Here in California gas is around $4.30 I hear that they are the highest in the country.

I think it sux and I don't understand it. Gas here is 3.69 a gal.

If you're going to live in a 'free market' section of society then you temper your complaints when you lose because you take the money when you win.

For example, here in Wisconsin the unions are out to get our governor. I dislike unions, and I never let them speak for me. But they gleefully accept bloated paychecks and jerked around our local government, then whined like a schoolgirl when society said "enough." The point of contention? They now had to pay for their medical care and retirement funds at the same rates you and I do. Screw 'em.

While I also dislike being manipulated by speculators, I have seen this same thing in the cutlery world.

About 6 to 8 years ago there was a newer blend of stainless steel called CPM-440V. (We now know it by it's new name S60V.) The first folder I bought using that alloy cost my clients 180 bucks. I bought one of these knives a few months ago for 40 bucks. Even with a generous mark-up it sells retail for well under 100 dollars. There's new stuff out there, and no one seems to invest in that blend, kind of a like a drug company losing interest in making medicine when it goes generic.

Alloys like S35VN, and Elmax were once the materials of custom knife makers. My current ZT0550 cost me 125 bucks. However, the smelter who makes materials for Elmax blends couldn't fill orders last year. The folders dried up, and the collectors and speculators pushed the price through the roof.

I benefited, big time. I'm a reseller.

BTW, gas station owners in my area are being branded so harshly as robber barons that they have complained on camera. They have to buy fuel, as well. And as the price of gas goes up for them, they have to inch up the price at the pump to make a living.

My guess is that if you were passed over for a raise, and your boss said, "We're keeping your wages low so that all Americans can benefit from the products you make with your skill, you'd sue him or put him in an ICU.

I suggest we all take a breath and read Job. You take the gravy, now you're getting the gristle.

Did you say Gas? or Gold?
seems like the price goes up 2x a day here in CA... Just saw 4.40... and that was the place with the "cheap" prices...
I'm going to start speculating on how long before the civil war...

That's the issue I have with pricing. Here in Wisconsin gas costs a dollar of a gallon cheaper. If supply and demand plus speculation are the reasons for increased end-user prices, why the big disparity? Shipping costs can't add that much, except for Hawaii.

My guess is that there are 'pockets of wealth' where marketers figure that you can squeeze the guys with money. I wonder if Beverly Hill, Bel Air and Plano, Texas have larger pricing, but twenty miles away in blue collar areas the cost changes.

Here in Wisconsin I never buy gas right off the Interstate--unless Spinner is in dire straits. (Then I only buy a dollar's worth to get closer to home.) Last year I noticed it's 40 cents cheaper at my home-area station than on the slab. Captive market. You're traveling, you're out of fuel, any port in a storm.

We recognize the concept of "equal justice under the law." Gouging is illegal during some periods, like when the nation is at war. If our Kenyan in Chief wants to secure the election, he ought to investigate gouging.

7 gallons of gas in the car last night... $30+
RIDICULOUS!!

I found out why the gas is more expensive here in Cali. Our great state tacks on an added sales tax which is close to 9% that is around forty cents. Along with local taxes too. The real gas price is around $2.50 pre gallon or there abouts. Sure glad I don't drive a gas hog! Was at the station overheard somebody paid over $200 to fill one up. Time to get the vespa out of mothballs!

That's the initial reason I bought the Sportster. I am looking at Smart Cars or the Scion iQ. It's eight miles to the gym, and the grocery store is about one mile away. I could easily get by with a fully electric car. Compare that to my present F-150 with a V-8 engine.

I've even considered those big step-through scooters that can do highway speeds. (SilverWing?) It's fun to drive the Harleys, but lots of the driving we do is just commuting or seeing clients.

How about a mountain bike...a snazzy high tech mountain bike..of course for the better parts of the year.