Oil

I have to admit I've slacked off a bit today to research just what is going on with the price of oil these days. I heat my house with oil, and there is no freaking way I'll be able to afford to heat my house this winter. Because of the brilliant fire-codes here in my town, I cannot add a wood stove either. So basically, I'm fucked this winter.

So it looks like there are several reasons for the gas to be so expensive. China has doubled it's oil imports over the last 10 years. OPEC won't increase production. The cost to actually refine the oil has jumped from $5-$10 a barrel to $20 - $30 a barrel. The world demand for oil has gone up as well. The dollar is so weak right now, I think I'll kick the next Republican I see in the beanbag.

Of all these factors only two are pointing to a sharp increase in price. The weak dollar is killing us, and those nitwits printing more money is not helping the issue. Also, there is the spike in refining costs for fuel. I see no reason as to why it would cost more to refine a barrel of oil this year rather than last year. I think this bears more investigation.

Ultimately though it's our Federal Government that is squarely to blame. If those meatballs in office could just keep the dollar strong we wouldn't have it half as bad as we do now. Just thinking about it makes me tankful I am in a (mostly) recession-proof field of work. I might not lose my job, but my money is in survival mode, I'm not even going to see the new Indy film to save $.