Barb’s Blog

I was behind a lady in a line of cars at BJ’s the other day, we were at the gas pump. I looked at her as she was filling her car, and if I wasn’t mistaken, she looked close to crying. Watching the numbers roll around and accumulate was obviously adding to her stress level. I didn’t even have to TRY to imagine what had her so upset. I wondered what she couldn’t buy, so she could fuel her car with gas.

I tell this story as I read the headlines:

BP PLC and Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Europe’s two biggest oil producers, posted forecast-busting first-quarter earnings on Tuesday thanks to record crude oil prices that are expected to bolster profits across the industry.

Revenue at BP jumped 44 percent to $89.2 billion (57.1 billion euros), while sales at Shell soared 55 percent to $114 billion (72.95 billion euros).

In a recent survey, gas prices top the typical american’s lists of concerns:

About 44 percent of survey participants said paying for gasoline was a “serious problem” for them. Across all income levels, the cost of gas was the most frequently cited economic concern. The price of gas nationally averaged $3.60 a gallon on Monday, according to the Energy Department.

More than a quarter of households earning more than $75,000 a year described paying for gasoline as a serious problem. For those with incomes of less than $30,000, about 63 percent felt that way.

In a distant second and third place among participants’ economic concerns were: getting a good-paying job or raise, 29 percent; and paying for health care and health insurance, 28 percent.

Following in fourth place was difficulty paying rent or mortgage, 19 percent.

Now if I were a total optimist, I would be tempted to think that perhaps a solution to this mess was around the corner, and these oil companies was able to see the writing on the wall, and want to get their money now while they can.

However, I am a realist. I see it for what it is…greed.

With that thought, there is some projections that oil could hit $200 a barrel, pushing gas to $10.00 a gallon.

 

With the exception of Maryland winters, a bike is looking better all the time.