Letters: Enraged over gas prices
Gas prices on Long Island have fallen about 1.2 percent, but that is much less than the drop in the price of crude. A driver in Baldwin gasses up. (June 1, 2011) Credit: Newsday / Alejandra Villa
I agree with the letter regarding Big Oil ["President could shame Big Oil," March 1]. Too bad the writer isn't a presidential adviser.
As the saying goes, I got deja vu all over again while reading what I would describe as the manufactured reasons for the increases in pump prices. Tensions in the Middle East, shortages and, my favorite, speculation. We hear this every time the oil companies need a reason to jack up the prices. They even threaten $5 a gallon, just to make us feel grateful when it doesn't go that high.
Hundreds of thousands of people here on Long Island are struggling through the worst economic times of their lives, yet Big Oil will be sure to post record profits next quarter. Clearly, Washington favors the Big Oil guys over the little guys, and that is a shame.
Susan Forman, Commack
There is one simple but brilliant way to lower the gasoline prices: Every single American driver should boycott Exxon Mobil. Over time, the company would feel the tremendous loss of income and lower its gas prices. This would affect the prices of the other major oil corporations, which would compete with the low prices at Exxon Mobil pumps.
Mark Costanzo, Wantagh
The only reason gasoline and other prices are going up is because "our" government wrecked our economy. It did this by inflating our currency, thereby lowering the value of all existing money. This, in turn, requires merchants to raise prices to make a decent profit.
Frank St. George, East Rockaway
