Gas...hits staggering $4.09 a gallon at Mobile; time to cut excise tax! Comparison shop for fuel!

Incentives to buy gas at Independent gas stations...


Well, I wolfed down my breakfast, and headed out the door in the wee hours of dawn.

The gizmo that regulates gas consumption on the dash noted that there were 8 miles left to drive before I would crawl to a stop on "empty".

So, I wheeled into the nearest Gas Station nearby.

Whoa Nellie!

For 87 regular, the pump screamed out at me: $4.09 a gallon!

Could I do better?

I revved up the engine, and roared out of the stall on up the street.

Ah, at Union 76 the price was lower at $3.69.

After the driver in front of me counted out five bucks in nickels and dimes to the cashier (heh dude, times are tough!) I plopped down my credit card and said,

"Fill 'er up, please."

I mean, who knows what the prices will skyrocket to tomorrow, eh?

I guess for those who can commute to work on public transport, Metro Rail is lookin' mighty good.

So, why the escalating prices, and the disparity between the two gas outlets a hop-and-a-skip away from each other, in the same neighborhood?

Unlike other States in the Union, California has a reformulated gas program with stricter regulations than Federally-mandated fuel.

Also, there is the question of hefty taxes...18.4 percent per gallon for Federal excise tax and 18 pennies per gallon for a State excise fee which combine to push up the prices considerably.

Makes 'ya wonder, though.

If the Government - in particular Bush (who appeared to be shocked at the idea of $4.00 a gallon when it was brought to his attention recently) - are so concerned about the hardships that consumers are facing right now, why don't they "cut" the gas tax immediately?

Notwithstanding the foregoing, pump-ready gas is often boosted in price due to the expense of crude oil and refinery costs, market and distrubution expenses, and retail business overhead at the local gas stations.

Odd, that there needs to be that much marketing, though. After all, you can lead a few horses to gas, and they will drink, alright.

You don't need any clever promos to accomplish that.

Of course, costs pertaining to staffing, up-keep, and stocking goods are difficult to avoid; part 'n parcel of doing business, I guess.

But why are the prices all over the map around town?

There is no ceiling on pricing, so owners can charge what they choose. Fortunately for the consumer, proprietors are inclined to price in a competitive range to stay in the game; but, in the future, who knows?

Conversely, some states have mark-up laws that prevent business owners from charging too little. The laws are in place to protect independent gas station owners, so they don't go out of business, due to heavyweights in the industry encroaching on their territory across the nation.

Something tells me bankrupt gas station proprietors are a long way off.

Even if they don't offer up incentives, like smoked ham, to loyal customers.

To prevent unemployment, laws in Oregon require that attendants pump gas...

Gas Pump theft...scandal brewing at local stations?

As I watched a couple of quirky teenagers trek up to the pump with gas tank in hand, sweating under the sweltering mid-day sun, I counted my blessings.

After all, one of the premier features on my vehicle is a nifty digital read-out which keeps track of fuel consumption.

Yeah, at a time when folks are pinching pennies for gas, and hazarding a guess as to when they may "run on empty" on the freeway, I have only to tap a button on the dash to determine how many miles to travel before I skid to a halt, my thirsty vehicle sputtering for precious fuel.

But, I have noticed a disturbing turns of events in the past week or two.

After fueling at a couple of stations over the course of a week, the fuel gauge has reflected a level inconsistent with the cash I've dolled out at the local pump.

One morning, when the figures appeared to be particularly low, I seriously considered the possibility that in the dead of night, some sneaky gas thieves had siphoned off gas.

But, it also occurred to me that gas station owners may be fudging at the pumps.

Is the fuel being watered down, perhaps?

On the heels of this observation, I picked up on another curious trend.

After pumping, and returning the nozzle to its resting place, it's been my experience that the pumps are holding back on issuing receipts!

At a time when prices are fluctuating from $3.59 to $3.72 a gallon for regular, I seriously have to consider the possibility that the pump boys are withholding the tabulations - maybe cooking the books, at our expense?

Ya know, I have a nose for this kind of thing.

I just betcha, there's a nasty scandal brewing on the horizon.

Mark my words!

Pumping in futuristic style...