Gas Prices

I recently read an article in which Jim Mulva, Chairman and CEO of ConocoPhillips, spoke to a group of around 300. The p.r. stunt took place in Bartlesville, OK where ConocoPhillips employs 2600 people. In his speech Jim mentioned several times how the public has a very bad opinion of the oil industry. Obviously his underlying message is that the public has a bad opinion of ConocoPhillips since they are one of the biggest players in the oil industry. Here is a little quote from that article:

“I hate to say it but the public perception as an industry is at the lowest level of all industries,” said Mulva.

Among public concerns, Mulva said the public perception of the oil industry is that it is lacking credibility, it is “gouging” at the pump and that it has a poor reputation.

The second statement brings me to the main point of this entry. Jim Mulva, the Chairman and CEO of ConocoPhillips, is concerned that the public thinks that the oil companies are price gouging. The last time I looked at the price of gas in Tulsa, which is pretty f-ing often, CononcoPhillips has the highest prices in town. It doesn't matter if it's a Phillips 66, a Fiesta Mart, or a store that is ran by Habib and his six kids. The price of ConocoPhillips gas is 10 cents per gallon higher than any other place in town.

In conclusion, Jim either made a mistake and forgot to adjust his inflated profit margins or he realizes that it doesn't matter how much gas costs. Fact is, we're going to buy it anyway. I'm guessing that he's learning from big brothers Exxon Mobile and BP who have figured out if they lower production in their refineries, they will make more money.

Becoming an Illegal

I got this email today and thought it was appropriate to post following my blog from a few days ago.

The Honorable Tom Harkin
731 Hart Senate Office Building
Phone (202) 224 3254
Washington DC , 20510

Dear Senator Harkin,

As a native Iowan and excellent customer of the Internal Revenue Service, I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have contacted
the Department of Homeland Security in an effort to determine the process for becoming an illegal alien and they referred me to you.

My primary reason for wishing to change my status from U.S. Citizen to illegal alien stems from the bill which was recently
passed by the Senate and for which you voted. If my understanding of this bill's provisions is accurate, as an illegal alien who has been in the United State s for five years, all I need to do to become a citizen is to pay a $2,000 fine and income taxes for three of the last five years. I know a good deal when I see one and I am anxious to get the process started before everyone figures it out.

Simply put, those of us who have been here legally have had to pay taxes every year so I'm excited about the prospect of avoiding two years of taxes in return for paying a $2,000 fine. Is there any way that I can apply to be illegal retroactively? This would yield an excellent result for me and my family because we paid heavy taxes in 2004 and 2005.

Additionally, as an illegal alien I could begin using the local emergency room as my primary health care provider. Once I have stopped paying premiums for medical insurance, my accountant figures I could save almost $10,000 a year.

Another benefit in gaining illegal status would be that my daughter would receive preferential treatment relative to her law school applications, as well as "in-state" tuition rates for many colleges throughout the United States for my son.

Lastly, I understand that illegal status would relieve me of the burden of renewing my driver's license and making those burdensome car insurance premiums. This is very important to me given that I still have college age children driving my car.

If you would provide me with an outline of the process to become illegal (retroactively if possible) and copies of the necessary forms, I would be most appreciative.

Thank you for your assistance.

Your Loyal Constituent,
Donald Ruppert


Burlington , IA

Waste of Tax Dollars

I saw this graphic in the Tulsa World this morning. The accompanying article went on to say that Oklahoma spends $8million per year for foreign inmates. It may surprise you that 77% of these murders, rapists, and overall burdens on society are mexican. It seems to me it would be real easy to send these leaches to the butthole of their own country where they can mooch off of their own people, who by the way can't afford to ensure that they have a/c and tv's and and all the amenities of a stay in a U.S. prison. That $8million per year would be really beneficial in other areas like say fixing our roads that are all roached out.(That's another blog in itself though.) So that's my rant for the day. Let's see if it pisses anyone off.