Do Not Vote for any Incumbent This November

If you agree today our Federal Government is corrupt and controlled by power hungry career politicians then lets change the Federal Government. Democracies of other countries have the ability to vote a no confidence in Government which removes the leaders and requires new elections. We have seen this in Canada and Israel.

The Federal Government of the United States of America has no such provisions. The reason is because we are not a Democracy, we are a Republic. The good news is as a nation, you can do something to change our elected government officials at the local, state and federal levels .

This November put aside your political party loyalty. Instead, vote for the person running against the incumbent. If we do this we will change the face of government officials bent on the power their seniority holds. A new person taking the office will have a fresh view on issues affecting all of us. A new person elected to office hopefully will not yet be corrupt; therefore, should be more willing to vote against issues backed by special interest groups. Most of these special interest groups are well versed on how gain a win for their cause by lining the pockets of long time incumbents.

The long time incumbents have the knowledge and power to stop progress and changes the newly elected bring to their respective offices.

It must make you angry when you hear about officials of our government getting caught taking money from big companies. An example of this happened just a few months ago when ATT paid three congressmen $200,000 to go against Google in a recent auction of airwaves for new cell phone frequencies.

My point is not just the Big 5 Oil Companies control our elected officials, but, many lobbyists have been successful at doing the same thing. This leaves only one action we as a voting nation can do.

This November vote for the person running against an incumbent. Then in two years do it again and again and again until all the power held by a few is gone. At that point we should have a new government without all the baggage the incumbents bring to their respective offices.

With a new government body in place it should have the ability to clean up all the Federal Agencies. The political appointed upper management are power hungry, defiant, and work against the American Public. These appointees often remain in place from one administration to the next gaining more power and the temptation to use it to also benefit special interest groups.

One example of this would be the Veterans Administration, which pays it's employees bonuses based on the number of cases they finalize. By that I mean when a veteran files for service related disability benefits. The case agent assigned gets a bonus based on the number of cases processed each reporting period. It does not matter if they rule in favor of the veteran or deny the veterans claim. The case agent gets the credit for handling the claim. It is far easier for the agent to deny a veteran's case than to spend time to investigate the evidence and grant disability benefits to the veteran. The experienced case agent knows 80% of denied claims are never appealed. And, even if the Veteran does appeal the case the original agent still gets the credit for closing a case. It is a very bad system. Many Veterans are cheated from benefits for disabilities acquired while fighting for our freedom.

If you were to take the time to investigate any of the federal agencies most likely the same scenario will be repeated over and over again.

Enough is Enough - Vote for Change

Gasoline Prices: Big Oil Cheats On Supply

Published on Thursday, March 11, 2004 by the Los Angeles Times is a story by Jamie Court and Tim Hamilton

" Gasoline Prices: A Case of Cheating, Not Competing" The story tells of the ways the Big 5 Oil Companies control supply and prices. The facts given are another source confirming what we all know the Big 5 will do to take unearned money from you and me.

The problem is we, as individuals, are completely at their mercy. We are unable to do anything to protect ourselves from this form of theft from our pocket books. Yes, I said theft. When a company cooks the books, manipulates, supply, lies about the actual cost and availability of product additives just to increase prices at the pump it is theft of our money.

Read the story highlighted above as a link. Then help me help you by coming back to my blog and read more of my posts.

Regulating Gasoline and Deisel Prices

In response to an energy crisis, in 1977, Congress passed the DOE Organization Act, This consolidated various energy-related agencies into the Department of Energy.

Congress also insisted that a separate independent regulatory body be retained, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was formed from the old Federal Power Commission. FERC is an independent regulatory agency within the United States Department of Energy. Neither the US President nor Congress review FERC decisions. However, all FERC decisions are reviewable by the federal courts.

In the 1977 Act the FERC was also given added responsibility to hear appeals of DOE oil price control determinations. The DOE Act also transferred the regulation of interstate oil pipelines to FERC.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 expanded FERC's authority to impose mandatory rules to perform and maintain its functions in routine circumstances, as well as hostile or unexpected circumstances on the bulk transmission system and to impose penalties on entities that manipulate the electricity and natural gas markets. This makes one wonder why the FERC has no authority to oversee the gasoline and diesel pipeline distribution system.

The FERC regulates the transmission and sale of natural gas for resale in interstate commerce and regulates the transmission of oil by pipelines in interstate commerce.

The FERC approves the siting of and abandonment of interstate natural gas facilities, including pipelines, storage and liquefied natural gas, but not distribution and retail sales of gasoline and diesel.

If the DOE and the FERC were created to protect US Citizens from energy industries it would only be logical to control and regulate the largest segment of energy consumed by the American public.

Many of you must feel as though the Big 5 oil companies underhandedly control this branch of the Federal Government. If the DOE Act and FERC really do regulate Energy how is it possible for the energy we put into our tanks today not fall under their jurisdiction?

Think about it; then read the testimony of Timothy A Hamilton, before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, DC on February 1, 2006.

Isn’t it about time we all stand up as one large group this November and say “Enough IS Enough”. Then do the only thing we can do, VOTE TO REGULATE GAS PRICES.

Barack Obama Talkes about the Washington experience inabliity to take control

Speaking at a gas station on April 25 Barack Obama stated "The candidates with the Washington experience — my opponents — are good people. They mean well, but they've been in Washington for a long time and even with all that experience they talk about, nothing has happened.

Obama asked "So what have we got to show for all that experience?” his answer was "Gas that's approaching $4 a gallon. He then stated “This country didn't raise fuel efficiency standards for over 30 years."

Obama stated because of the do nothing attitude consumers are suffering. He is right that we the American public are suffering, but, the real truth is we are being gouged by the Big 5 oil companies and the day traders hedging their bets on the oil market.

Day traders may be the real problem with the price we must pay at the pump today. They are driven by greed just as the big 5 oil companies.

Obama also stated soaring gas prices are the latest manifestation of a Washington establishment that won't tackle the problems facing most consumers, and he would be able bring needed change.

"In the end, we'll only ease the burden of gas prices on our families when people all across America say 'enough,'" Obama said.

I have been saying “Enough is Enough” in my blog posts all along. Glad to see someone else is at least feeling the same way. However, last time I checked his title it said US Senator. Does that also mean we are just hearing more rhetoric from a public official running for office?

At least one very public official dares to say something about our prices at the pump. Wouldn’t it be great if one person could bring about change? Well one person can not do it alone. One person can, however, get others to join the cause and get this great nation off their proverbial butts. I say “treat oil and fuel as they should be treated, a utility the entire country is dependent upon”.

Please help me help you and “Vote to Regulate Gas Prices”

Big 5 Oil Compinies Create Artificial Shortages of Gas and Diesel

Today while I was searching the net I came across the testimony of Timothy A Hamilton, before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, DC on February 1, 2006

This is a link to the full story.

His remarks point out the ability of the major oil companies to control the availability and price we pay at the pump. Mr. Hamilton has been the gas station retail business since 1974. His experiences led him to a career change to become involved in governmental affairs and public policy in 1984 when he formed a non-profit trade association of independent gasoline wholesalers and retailers that operate approximately 400 gasoline service stations and convenience stores in Washington State this organization is called “AUTO”.

When any industry gains the power the “Big 5” has gained and then abuses that power for greed resulting in severe hardships for American Citizens it is time to “Vote to Regulate Gas and Diesel Prices” at the pump.

Mr. Hamilton states in his testimony “Decades of consolidation, regulatory lobbying and legal maneuvering by the industry following federal decontrol in 1981 has resulted in formation of international corporations that dwarf the Standard Oil Trust and other monopolies that gave birth to the antitrust concept. One can hardly criticize the drafters for failing to anticipate the evolution of PC computers, internet communications and other modern technology that currently allows the industry to legally use tacit collusion that nearly mirrors the monopolistic powers of the Standard Oil Trust. The same applies to envisioning that the industry would use environmental initiatives to meet, divide up markets, and create barriers to entry and other anti-competitive institutions.

To back up Mr. Hamilton’s statements he sites many ways the “Big 5” are able to track the movement and availability of product at any moment then use the information to create artificial shortages at any level they choose, ie., Local, Regional or even National.

A great deal of the American public has been led to believe there is a shortage of refining capabilities in the USA. Not True! Mr. Hamilton testified to how the “Big 5” export excess product to foreign countries and shut down or slow down production to keep the US available supply just above the demand. And, when that does not work well enough the “Big 5” are willing to shut down and destroy refineries.

A good example is Shell Oil’s attempt to bulldoze a highly profitable refinery near Bakersfield, CA. During the first meetings with employees of the refinery, the Shell spokesman claimed the company would never sell the plant. Bulldozing was the only way to assure a new competitor could not enter the marketplace. In the end, efforts by the California Attorney General resulted in a sale of the refinery to Flying J.

That is one refinery saved, one burned down and one blown up in the past few years. It does seem like the “Big 5” still prevail in their efforts to gouge the American public. When will you, my readers, say “Enough is Enough” and help launch this grass roots effort to “Vote to Regulate Gas Prices”.

People, I do not know the answers. I do, however, see the problem. We can all try to conserve our fuel consumption, but, as Mr. Hamilton testified the “Big 5” will just reduce the available supply.

We must have regulation to control prices at the pump. By not controlling the price at the pump everything we buy, every service we need must also increase prices due to the trickle down affect. To minimize the trickle down affect other companies must cut expenses wherever possible. That means fewer pay increases, increases in off shore manufacturing of goods to reduce labor costs, which in turn means fewer US labor jobs. The loss of jobs then creates hardships on families resulting in bankruptcies, foreclosures and the need for increased federal aid to those effected.

The “Big 5” has tipped the first domino in a complex US economy dependent on refined petroleum products . We need to step in and stop this domino affect and we need to do it now. Join me by helping with your constructive ideas as to how we can “Vote to Regulate Gas Prices” at the pump.

Consequences Of Our Outdated Governmental System

I believe our elected government is no longer a true representation of the American citizens needs. I believe our system for electing government lawmakers at every level from local political subdivisions such as township boards, cities, and counties, to state and federal levels are in need of a complete overhaul.

I believe all elected officials should never be allowed to hold more than two terms in office. I believe the US Senate should be limited to two terms of four years each. And, those terms for each senator representing a specific state should not be in the same election as a US President. I believe The U.S. House of Representatives should be elected to no more than two terms in a row and that those terms should be for two years. I believe any lawmaker should have to skip two terms before being eligible to again run for the same office.

I believe the same term limitations should be adopted by each state for their respective state legislative positions. All local and county political subdivisions should have a two term limitation.

I believe by doing the above our government will no longer be stagnant. Special interest groups and professional lobbyists will loose a great deal of the “good old boy” influence currently held with the career politicians holding the same office for years and years. Yes, I am talking about the federal, state, county, city and township officials holding office for 10 or more years. Holding any office for such a long term becomes an office of power and out of touch with the real world we all live in. One must live in private life to get in touch with reality.

Even the most well intentioned elected official at some point becomes closed minded on issues and fails to really represent the will of the people. They end up representing their own agenda, one which is often based on their own special interests or those of lobbying professionals.

My beliefs on this subject mater are based on my 58 years of life experience dealing with local, county, state and federal elected officials. Watching our elected career political officials in action has taught me how corrupt and yielding to special interest groups all levels of government have become. I tell you that you would not believe just how much of your tax dollars are wasted on product procurement based on name brand loyalty. The only way to curb the power of the career political office is to change the person holding the office.

The time has come to put fresh ideas into an old and outdated electorial system. By doing so perhaps we, the American people, can get some controls on our run away petroleum price increases. I say “Enough is Enough” let us make changes and lets make them now!

Concern Over Gas & Diesel Prices In 2000 Were True as They Are Now

On July 7, 2000 Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman published an article online at Mother Jones. Titled “The Solution to Rising Gas Prices: Antitrust Action” This article is very interesting and gave early insight to our present day gas and diesel price gouging

They state the concentration of economic power from the mergers of large oil companies is going to require new levels of government intervention in the marketplace. Mokhiber & Weissman (M&W) were correct when they stated the American public would enter an era of skyrocketing gasoline prices. What they did not say was that diesel prices would be escalating at even a higher rate.

M&W stated “Either the federal and state governments will act to break up monopolistic and oligopolistic corporations, or government agencies will assume regulatory authority of a kind largely abandoned in the United States, or consumers will be gouged and innovation stifled”.

Early in 1999 when Exxon and Mobil merged a change in the structure of the industry occurred. Some analysts thought the trend toward lower gasoline prices and more efficient distribution of gasoline would be underway. In fact the reverse has been seen. Unjustified profit taking has been the result of industry concentration. With fewer oil companies the mergers of Exxon and Mobil, BP, Amoco and ARCO price-fixing is much easier. Most likely this is accomplished through overt or illegal agreements.

In 2000 M&W stated “With oil prices skyrocketing nationwide, prices spiking in the Midwest and industry profits reaching stratospheric heights, even the Clinton administration has called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether the oil industry is illegally colluding to raise prices”. History has shown very clearly the power the oil industry has over the political machine no matter the party in control of the White House.

The oil industry over the years has mastered the ability of rationalizing the sudden jump in gas prices. In reality, the oil industry’s public remarks are nothing more than a cover-up of gouging the American Public.

Whether current fast rising prices at the pump are collusive agreements or as M&W pointed to a "conscious parallelism". The lack of tough action by lawmakers has failed to uncover the truth, and, the current field of lawmakers most likely never will. So be it! Now is the time to vote to regulate prices we pay at the pump.

Why does congress fail to introduce legislation to protect the American public from the oil giants? Could it be big money somehow going to members of congress? Something for sure keeps these kinds of price increases intact and unchecked. Unless our federal government chooses to regulate Big Oil the trickle down effect on everything we buy will turn into a flowing river. Government statistics would have us believe runaway price increases at the pump do not cause price increases in other products we buy.

The time is now to do something about price controls. Why should the oil industry continue to self-regulate the price at the pump? Is it not about time for the federal government to take charge?

Only direct government regulation at the federal level will stop the runaway gouging. As long as the control over the price of gasoline and diesel remain in the hands of the major oil companies this practice will continue. Each oil company has the ability to influence prices at the pump and the rest of the oil companies are more than willing to follow suit in their determination to gouge the American public.

Regulating The Gasoline/Petroleum Industry As A Utility

The time is now to advocate regulating the gasoline/petroleum industry as a utility. The Federal Government must impose a rate-of-return regulation on refiners based on a formula similar to other public utilities that are regulated. The gasoline/petroleum industry has demonstrated over the last several years an excessive greed in profit taking at the mercy of the consumer.

Politicians would have you believe gasoline, diesel and home heating fuel are free market consumables. The truth of the matter is our country runs on refined oil products. If the supply of refined petroleum was cut off right now our country would come to a complete standstill. Any product that can have such an impact on everyones quality of life needs to be considered a necessary utility. And, necessary utilities need to be regulated to assure sufficient availability to meet our needs at a fair price.

The Supreme Court Allows States To Regulate Gasoline Prices

On April 20, 1988, according to a story by Stuart Taylor Jr. of the New York Times, "The Supreme Court ruled by 8 to 0 that Puerto Rico may regulate the price of gasoline, and that the 50 states are free to do the same if they choose".

The article went on to point out the court's decision which suggested that it would uphold any state's pricing regulation of petroleum products, including home-heating oil.

The defeat of oil industry interests in 1988 was a victory for state regulators, however, no state has yet chosen to protect consumers from run-away profit taking. It is time for you to insist, through your vote, the federal government mandate such controls nation wide through legislation. Since states have not shown enough backbone to stand up and say "Enough is Enough" it is time for all of us to unite and say "Enough is Enough"