Rant on:
Well, there is more to it then that. First, there is the markup from the refiner to the distributor, then the markup from there to the wholesaler, then, finally to the retail outlet. The overall markup is in the neighborhood of $.25/gallon. I won't go into the interrelationship between all of these links, think companies owned by companies, owned by etc...
Now the crude. You really don't have any way to tell what it cost the refinery. Any crude not bought on the spot market only costs the pumping and distribution costs, some less then $20, some more, but none at the current spot market price. Heck, Shell already knows that they can produce a nice light crude from oil shale for around $40/bbl.
I don't begrudge the oil companies a profit. BUT... We have a problem. Oil has become a necessity, a utility, like electricity. OTOH, I can't imagine how it could be regulated. What we need is a national energy policy where the producers and the government, as the peoples representative, work together to maximize the product and minumize the use. Unfortunately, our country is so polarized that it is not possible for anything like that to happen. We as a nation are willing to die from cold and starvation, rather then get together and deal with the issues.
I hope I never have to use my survivorist skills, but I do know how, and am prepaired to do so if necessary.
Rant off:
