Gas Prices.....Know Your Enemy
Once again as we head into the Spring/Summer season, gas prices begin to rise. I'm sure that the prices are outrageous, wherever you live. I can attest that I long for the days of my youth when you could get a gallon of gas for $0.87! Some of y'all have never seen that, and never will. However, there is a very effective way to drive home a point, help the U.S. economy and companies, and still keep gas in your car.
Curious? I bet you are! I'm not going to ask that you boycott any one gas station on any particular day....that has been proven NOT to make ANY difference and I'm tired of seeing those type of e-mails show up in my inbox. Now be prepared, this may seem a little long, but I'm droppin jewels in your hands. Here's a different bandwagon to jump on.....see if it makes sense:
In order to make a difference......BUY OFF-BRAND GASOLINE FROM OFF-BRAND STATIONS. Do not buy from BP (ARCO), Chevron (Chevron, Texaco, Shell), or Exxon Mobil.
The reason: These are internationally held companies doing big business and making major money off of us. Look at last year's numbers:
BP (British Petroleum) $285 Billion
Shell Corp. (Shell/Texaco,Chevron) $306 Billion
Exxon/Mobil $371 Billion
Solution: Buy from the Mom & Pop stations with cheaper gas. If you're that worried about the quality, spend a few more cents and buy the higher octane or better yet go to a station you are more comfortable with. Believe it or not, the majority of the gas is all the same, shipped through the same pipelines out of Texas. I saw it on either the History, Discovery, or TLC channel.
The largest U.S. refiner is Valero as of April 25, 2005. They posted a mere $70 Billion in profits in comparison to the companies previously listed and they sell gas under the banners of Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Ultramar, Beacon, and Total.
Conoco Phillips is another U.S. corp ($150.16 Billion) and they sell gas under Conoco, Phillips 66, and Union 76. If you want to help support America, buy from these American companies.
If you don't mind buying from our Venezuelan brothers, buy Citgo gas. I bet you didn't know that, did you?! Citgo is a fuel company owned and run by the Venezuelan government. After cocaine, this is one of their largest major exports to the U.S. posting profits last year of $32.028 Billion. Still far less than the big boys that are ripping our pockets open.
Now, all of these gas stations are not everywhere. It really depends on what part of the U.S. you live in, and whether you live in the country or the city. But at the very least you can now make an informed decision on where to buy gas and why.
I don't know about where you live, but all I know is that when you add gas being around $3.07 a gallon and the cost of living in L.A. being what it is, it truly is hard out here....well, you know the rest! :) Be Well!
Curious? I bet you are! I'm not going to ask that you boycott any one gas station on any particular day....that has been proven NOT to make ANY difference and I'm tired of seeing those type of e-mails show up in my inbox. Now be prepared, this may seem a little long, but I'm droppin jewels in your hands. Here's a different bandwagon to jump on.....see if it makes sense:
In order to make a difference......BUY OFF-BRAND GASOLINE FROM OFF-BRAND STATIONS. Do not buy from BP (ARCO), Chevron (Chevron, Texaco, Shell), or Exxon Mobil.
The reason: These are internationally held companies doing big business and making major money off of us. Look at last year's numbers:
BP (British Petroleum) $285 Billion
Shell Corp. (Shell/Texaco,Chevron) $306 Billion
Exxon/Mobil $371 Billion
Solution: Buy from the Mom & Pop stations with cheaper gas. If you're that worried about the quality, spend a few more cents and buy the higher octane or better yet go to a station you are more comfortable with. Believe it or not, the majority of the gas is all the same, shipped through the same pipelines out of Texas. I saw it on either the History, Discovery, or TLC channel.
The largest U.S. refiner is Valero as of April 25, 2005. They posted a mere $70 Billion in profits in comparison to the companies previously listed and they sell gas under the banners of Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Ultramar, Beacon, and Total.
Conoco Phillips is another U.S. corp ($150.16 Billion) and they sell gas under Conoco, Phillips 66, and Union 76. If you want to help support America, buy from these American companies.
If you don't mind buying from our Venezuelan brothers, buy Citgo gas. I bet you didn't know that, did you?! Citgo is a fuel company owned and run by the Venezuelan government. After cocaine, this is one of their largest major exports to the U.S. posting profits last year of $32.028 Billion. Still far less than the big boys that are ripping our pockets open.
Now, all of these gas stations are not everywhere. It really depends on what part of the U.S. you live in, and whether you live in the country or the city. But at the very least you can now make an informed decision on where to buy gas and why.
I don't know about where you live, but all I know is that when you add gas being around $3.07 a gallon and the cost of living in L.A. being what it is, it truly is hard out here....well, you know the rest! :) Be Well!
Appreciate the Informative blog Bro.
Gas prices are ridiculous and hey they always escalate during Republican regimes.
Coincidentally Bush and Cheney are Business gas Men and don't have to worry about gas prices...
Just had to add in my 2cents and been discussing this with others as even white folks in the South are venting about Bush.
Funny how a few black folk still hold on...
Anyway...