[Mike Feinstein]

There's one fact that seems to be overlooked in all the gas-price threads (that I've read). That fact is:

We have no options as consumers. Gas is a necessity in our society. Unless we quit our jobs, pull our kids out of schools, and live like hermits, we HAVE to buy fuel....just like we have to buy food. Our society is so intertwined with the consumption of fuel (boats, motorcycles, jet ski's, ATV's, cars, airplanes, etc.) that we have no choice but to live without other things so we can buy gas. Yes, we can sell our Porsche's and pickups at a huge loss and buy micro-econoboxes, but in doing so we accomplish nothing more that reducing the safety of our families as they efficiently burn fuel in the course of normal life.

My 6 year old could be the CEO of Exxon (I wish) and the company would still make billions. It doesn't take special talent to make a profit in an industry with a captive market and complete price control. Put Exxon's CEO in charge of a company where the public actually has a choice, and it's a whole new ball game.

It ain't right.