snip...
>
> Seems to me that costs are going up (inflation) and the
> oil exporting countries will try to squeeze all the money
> they can out of existing supplies. Manufacturing countries
I don't think this statement is true -> "oil exporting countries will
try to squeeze all the money..."
Actually its in the oil producing countries' benefit as well to keep oil
prices stable and from going extremely high. Hence one of the reasons
they agreed recently to increase production/supply to stabilize prices
in the $25 to $30 a barrel range. If prices go through the roof too high
too fast, OPEC knows this will damage (largely western) oil dependant
economies and in the long term reduce demand, and their profits. They
are simply following the curve of maximizing profits along the
supply/demand curve.
It will be interesting to see what role, if any, defining our energy
policy will play in the US 2000 elections. I think most people, and
politicians remain oblivious to the unsustainable situation we are
facing, unless it happens to by chance bite them on the wallet when
filling up the tank on the Range Rover ;-(
And the candidates will of course follow the polls seeking out the
current hot button, most popular causes an ignore this critical area. As
such, with oil prices stabilizing I don't think we'll be hearing squat
about US energy policy from either major party from now through
November...
Looks like I'll be throwing my vote away and voting for Nader. Oh well
what can you do,
Greg
