How appropriate to call it Trump Gas. I also refer to the tragic fiasco in Iran as the Trump War. The oil situation has made Iran a world power thanks to Trump, and the various negative repercussions will reverberate for a very long time. The "silver lining" is that it will also spur countries to develop more renewable energy sources as a result. Hopefully, that will ultimately include the U.S. The Trump Regime has been vigorously denying global warming and promoting the oil industry, but the gas crisis resulting from the Trump War should certainly force the issue ...
Karen - I also read that the oil companies are upset about the war because now they have to pay millions in bitcoin or yen just to get their ships out and the insurance companies are also tacking on a lot. Hope they are happy with their donations to get T elected. He has no position in which to bargain and they will come after us eventually. Great job T! But at least he got a free oil tanker from Venezuela, right? He claims that we are fine because we produce a lot of oil but we can’t use our own oil.
That and is anyone else not happy that he is stumping for a dictator in Hungary to win the election? Pretty sure he will even though everything shows that he is currently losing. But I’m sure that they can “fix” it.
Yes, I've heard all that, too. Trump is demanding that Iran give up control of the Strait of Hormuz, but why would they do that? It's huge leverage and a great source of revenue. The Iran/U.S./Israel "peace talks" are not going to go well. As it stands, I don't see any of the participants giving an inch, or even a fraction of an inch, considering the terms set forth. It's a very wide chasm.
The oil industry has always been about greed and influence, much like Trump himself. Funny thing about the oil tanker taken off of Venezuela is it's costing a fortune to maintain it. The money from the oil will no doubt remain with Trump and Venezuela will not get the benefit he promised. But then, he never keeps a promise, of course.
Everything is sunshine and roses according to Trump, but fewer people are buying that fantasy from day to day
Little Iran — with a handful of drones and cheap missiles — has brought the world economy to its knees. Trump, meanwhile, rattles his saber: "Please, pretty please, open the Strait of Hormuz — or I may have to obliterate your entire infrastructure, and perhaps all of you while I'm at it."
Well—there’s one bit of good news, if the alert I just received from the NYT is true—Orban LOST his reelection bid. I haven’t read it yet and i hope it’s true.
Anne - I just saw that, too. It’s nice that he conceded but I will be even happier once he is actually gone. I guess that since T wouldn’t act like the bigger person and accept our results, and has put us through hell ever since, I am a little leery. But it is great news for Hungary! I’m half Irish and half Hungarian so I watched the election closely. Maybe all we need to win our elections is to have Vance stump for our opposition. ;)
It's Trump Gas and the Trump War because he received no approval from Congress or anyone else except his sycophants and Israel to start it. He owns the outcome solely on his own!
While we all suffer from these outrageous gas prices, it is important to keep in mind that one very politically powerful group…who happen to be huge supporters of Trump…are profiting enormously.
Here is a brief explanation of how our domestic oil companies are huge winners from all this.
The oil and petroleum production and refining market is complicated, so it is true that the U.S. does import substantial amounts of petroleum (albeit over half of that is from Canada, and very little of it passes through the strait of Hormuz). However, we export about 2.8 million barrels a day more than we import…so the U.S. is a net exporter. Indeed, the U.S. is the single largest producer of oil in the world. So in some respects, “the U.S.” is huge beneficiary of the impact of the Iran war on oil prices (it’s just that the actual beneficiaries are the oil producing companies, not the consuming public.)
To further explain, while our oil companies are paying a higher price for any imported oil, they are also receiving the higher prices for the oil they export. Bear in mind that while oil and gasoline & diesel prices here in the U.S. have soared…the actual costs of production for domestic oil for our U.S. oil companies have not increased at all! So while those oil companies were cruising along profitably when the price of oil (i.e., West Texas Crude) was about $67 a barrel before the war, they are without question receiving enormous windfall profits now that the price of that oil is about $114 a barrel. (With an average daily production of oil in the U.S. at around 13.7 million barrels, that difference would yield an average windfall profit for oil producers of nearly $650 million per day. Not a bad reward for that politically powerful industry.)
So when the dust (hopefully) settles from all this, one good policy piece to include to help repair the damage would be a nice ‘windfall profits tax’ on the oil companies. I’m sure we can all think of some very worthy public services that Trump has slashed that could use some additional support.
Take note of the last sentence, especially; outfits like USAID, Save the Children, SNAP, you name it. I have been donating to them for 30 years, but, retired, on decreasing SS, increasing Medicare costs, rising property tax ($3000 last year, $3200 in 2026) stock IRA stuck in a rut - something has to give.
SNAP is a government program, formerly known as food stamps. USAID was also a government agency before it was killed. You couldn't have donated to those like you do Save the Children-- but of course we all "donate" our tax dollars.
Actually, math error. Property taxes are over $6,000 a year; above figures are two payments of $3000 and $3200 for 2025's obligation. Goes up 1% a year, semi-annual payments and 10% penalty if one misses the deadline.
A windfall profits tax + a wealth tax + a stock-trade transactions tax, all poured into various health care, housing, education, family-support, and infrastructure-repair programs could help this country improve as a fine place to live.
Then, if we took private money out of politics; abolished the Electoral College and had national direct elections; reversed the budgets of the Dept. of Defense and Dept. of Education; provided a 10-fold increase in support for public media; established term limits for all justices of the Supreme Court to 18 years; established term limits for Members of Congress (two terms for senators, and six terms for Representatives, with a retirement age of 75); established a single-payer universal health care program ("Medicare for All"); replaced the common-law system with a civil law judicial system; increased the budgets for broad R&D to 2.5% of the USGDP; began converting from a hydrocarbon-based to an alternative-fuels + conservation based energy economy; changed the Dept. of the Interior to become the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources, with a budget of $84 billion per year and a strong mandate to protect the environment; passed a Constitutional Amendment to the 14th Amendment to insert the word "natural" immediately in front of the word "person," so we can eliminate the pernicious doctrine of "equality" between corporations and human beings for Equal Protection purposes; really, strongly, and consistently thwarted the mixing of religion with secular/political affairs (as intended by the Founders of this country); made English the official language of this country, and taught it properly in the schools; made major revisions to our immigration and naturalization system to make it more transparent, fair, and consistent with our national needs; made changes in our education system to strongly focus on S.T.E.M. curriculae, and make college/university free---all of these changes might, just might, make America a pretty good place in which to live.
Sharyn - Just five gallons!! Maybe having to give up my drivers license because of being disabled is making me feel a little better - but also guilty for all of you who have to still drive. :(
Wow. In the Santa Cruz area, I thought it was bad for Diesel drivers - it's $6.99, with all the other brands right behind... I note that ethanol gas (over 100 octane) is still available at some places at around $3.15/gallon, but probably is bad for old-car (2002 Nissan Altima, e.g.) valves, so I put 1-to-2 ratio ethanol-to-regular gas when I fill up at Costco once a month. Meantime, as a now-retired distance runner, I still do a lot of walking; at 84, it's better all around for me and the Altima.
10 years of tacky hats and tired promises. Turns out there’s no greatness. Just a naked emperor who forgot to get dressed. Yuk. But MAGAs believe that this is Armageddon. So, any day now, we should be witnessing their transformation as they shift from a spiritual mode of anticipation to preparation. They are duty bound to heed ancient commands to forswear all misconduct, including following illegal orders. They must be moral, ethical, and truthful. They must be compassionate and generous, freely sharing what they have. In a nutshell, they must be blameless in all ways, as befitting the anticipated return of Messiah.
Any evangelical who persists in misconduct despite believing that this is Armageddon is not serving light and truth. Time will tell which lane they choose.
1. Invoke the 25th amendment. JDV has a duty as VPOTUS and as a practicing Roman Catholic. If he is derelict, he could be excommunicated.
2. Win the house and senate in November. Impeach JDV and the cabinet.
3. Depose Ivanka and Marla Maples.
4. Issue arrest warrants for misprision of treason and/or felony (looking at you, IL, DE, VT, VA, CA, and RI).
5. FL Bar Association will take action on the complaints against Pam Bondi
6. Kristi Noem will be subject to an independent psychiatric evaluation since animal cruelty in adults can be associated with psychopathology. We owe it to Alex Pretti, Renee Goode and the US residents who died in ICE custody.
7. Cooperate with ICC in their prosecution for war crimes against Venezuela.
8. DNC will issue a platform of concrete solutions with timelines and budgets prior to the election.
I particularly like #5, 6 & 7. The treason has been rampant. Yes, few may know that Vance and Rubio and other Roman Catholics are subject to
Excommunication because they have publically violated the Gospel (basic human morality!). Pope Francis likely brought these critical faith issues to Vance (and the faithless orange one)before the Pope Francis died. Let goodness, virtue, truth and justice win the day in November.
Pope Leo XIV will take some grief, apparently, on his statement he made, infra. (Niemoller, the theologian, was correct, "They came for ... but I was not ---, so I didn't take note". …)
Pope Leo XIV: “God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs. Military action will not create space for freedom or times of peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.” …
“Absurd and inhuman violence is spreading ferociously through the sacred places of the Christian East, profaned by the blasphemy of war and the brutality of business, with no regard for people’s lives, which are considered at most collateral damage of self-interest. But no gain can be worth the life of the weakest, children, or families. No cause can justify the shedding of innocent blood.”
Whaddya say to that, Mr. President? Too many polysyllabic words for ya?
They will be surprised when they discover that the Kingdom is the “Kindom” as my pastor refers to it. On another level, those who are so sure they are perfectly righteous will be surprised when their lives require a “do over”, same lessons in the next life. The all power of the Cosmos, known as God, has many structures or processes that we do not perceive, it is God, after all.
Trump has always taken the view that somehow the US is insulated from these price shocks because it is a net exporter of energy and nothing seems to have shifted him from this totally irrational viewpoint. While other countries are using fiscal policy to protect their citizens, Trump is planning huge budget cuts to social programmes and increases to the military budget. I've read that he's tamped down his bid for war expenses from $200bn to $98bn, but it remains a big ask especially bearing in mind that his tax cuts will take effect later this year.
The effects of these energy price increases is already hitting home in Republican heartlands.
Same! If his assets are seized, he could open orange big box stores à la Costco with Trump Gas and Trump RX and MAGA brand instead of Kirkland. The logo could feature in him in an orange jumpsuit. Which, hopefully, will be his daily attire…🤞
Vincent from Napa-just give trump time!!!! His tiny brain moves veeeery slowly but this idea will smack him upside that putrid orange head sooner or later!!!! 😡😱🤑
Yes, the GOP has been very creative in their voter suppression tactics for decades, and they've gotten away with incredibly blatant dirty tricks. There never seem to be any consequences for their actions, it's constant and happening right now
Phillip - In Louisiana the legislature is trying hard to get rid of a clerk of court job in New Orleans because an exonerated man got the position with 68% of the votes. If they can’t cheat then they will find another way to suppress our vote.
I live in CA since 1990 (retired now) after 12 years as a public defender (OIDP) in the New Orleans area. I had no idea how wickedness was so interwoven with the criminal justice ("just-us") system. Until I left; 10 of my 11 death penalty clients were "poor, black" and in jail. Tried about 100 other jury cases in one year because some crazy judge wanted to "break the record"; I tried 2 jury cases a week during that stint, and that section judge got his the hard way, but he got his record. Justice be damned, although I did get a couple of NG verdicts. Lucky, blessed and glad to get out of there...Phil Johnson
Phil - My sibling worked at the Autobahn Zoo in NOLO and was also very happy once they got out of there. They liked the people and the place but sometimes it was just too much. The ones who don’t have the luxury of money definitely get a bad deal when it comes to the just-us system. Sometimes I wonder why they insist on putting up such a fight to test possible new evidence? Especially when it has a chance to potentially exonerate a person. Of course it doesn’t help the families affected by the crime though to have to go through it all over again. Personally I’d rather know for sure that the right person was in jail but I haven’t been put in such a position.
No doubt about it, but unless Trump raids the strategic petroleum soon, it will make no difference in November. I hope. Well, sorta, except I hate to see everyday Americans suffer these high fuel prices. But, like Dr R. says, I’ll take any silver lining I can get right now.
Yep. Trump gas will be high for awhile. They have to be paid as these people (oil barons, billionaires, and the Trump clan?) continue to want more money.
Not only will we be paying for this in dollars, but we have lost all international credibility and how long will that last and at what dollar price?
Nick - And while people continue to suffer at home because of his tariffs and this war T goes ahead and is trying to sue the IRS and wants them to pay him billions. That’s our taxpayers money.
Pope Leo XIV will take some grief, apparently, on his statement he made... Niemoller, the theologian, was correct, "They came for ... but I was not ---, so I didn't take note".
… Pope Leo XIV: “God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs. Military action will not create space for freedom or times of peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.”
… “Absurd and inhuman violence is spreading ferociously through the sacred places of the Christian East, profaned by the blasphemy of war and the brutality of business, with no regard for people’s lives, which are considered at most collateral damage of self-interest. But no gain can be worth the life of the weakest, children, or families. No cause can justify the shedding of innocent blood.”
Whaddya say to that, Mr. President? Too many polysyllabic words for ya?
And let’s not forget the Christian (Nationalist) Secretary of War Hegseth, who should have the words of the Pope burned into his flesh to cover up all those Nazi symbols all over his body.
Billionaires Profited, Make THEM Pay for This Latest Failed War Based On Lies!
The Iran War is another failed Republican war, "Trump's War." The Billionaries who put Trump into office have pocketed $Billions from this war; THEY must pay for it, NOT the American people who never wanted this (or previous wars') destruction, death, and debt.
Make the Billionaires pay for this disaster, by proposing a Windfall War Tax, of 10% on all wealth over $1B, and 20% on all wealth over $10B. Continue this tax until this war and the previous failed Republican wars (Iraq and Afghanistan) have been completely paid for - including future expenses to take care of dead and wounded Americans.
The people profiting from this death, destruction and debt finally have to be held accountable, and that includes Trump himself.
You can sign by texting SIGN PBKAOYTO 50409 I highly recommend ResisBot
However they reward congress for being influenced by donors. Really pay for play. Democracy is worn out. It worked for 13 colonies. Now its ungovernable. Moralky corrupt if not actually corrupt. How else do you explain supporting enemies and attacking friends and threatening annihilation.
If you want a short break from the tensions of war and grift and lies, tune in to the recovery of the Artemis II crew, live now, here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfhDuOHMp0A
Watched on CNN. Still waiting to see them be removed from the capsule. So awesome!!I’m looking for pictures and videos that I can show to my grandkids.
I watched it for a couple of hours, until the astronauts were safely on the ship and walked to the medical bay. It made me tear up. Also made me proud of my family's Navy roots.
Thank you for sharing the link. I have been watching until all 4 astronauts were out of the helicopters and headed to the medical bay. Very different from what we could see 50+ years ago.
As an Old Fart who watched men on the moon while another one orbited in 1969, I find Artemis underwhelming. Especially for $100 billion! This is not progress to me and not worthwhile. Sorry to harsh your buzz.
We’ve done most of these things many times. I am thinking of the money spent at this time and all that’s been undone and all those hurting over our economics now. I’m glad they are home safely, but it felt like an old rerun.
Trump is done the only question is how much more damage the world before the 25th Amendment removes him. Soon he will be seen as poison even by Republicans. Republican are mean and dumb but soon they will realize that not ridding of him spells suicide to them. I hope.
A really large fraction of the MAGA cultists appear to think that they're all going to be raptured together. It's the new Jim Jones, with orange kool-aid.
I'm 74. this "imminent rapture" crap has happened at least 20 times in my lifetime, maybe more as I've lost count and interest. I keep hoping they'll leave but they never do. I leaves me demoralized, depressed, despondent, dejected, and despairing of surcease from this idiocy.
Glen - Raskin wrote a letter to his doctor and listed all of the obvious reasons why he should give T a full neurological assessment and be prepared to come in front of Congress with the full results. Though removing him means Vance and I cannot decide which is worse. I also read that he made a lot of his followers absolutely livid about calling his podcast people who have said mean things about him as stupid and low I.Q. Now a lot of them are calling him out. So some hope, maybe?
The business made money and he made a fortune. Bankruptcy filing helped avoid the debts. Fraud on everyone. Same as lawsuit v treasury dept. He makes frivolous claim but orders treasure to pay. Complete and utter fraud devastating people's lives, for decades, with convictions. And the eorld knows it.
Not to be too snarky but I have a 2019 Chevy Bolt which I fill up at the level 2 charger on my front porch. It's no good for long road trips but fine for everything else.
I have a 2016 Chevy Volt, which I use everyday for local shopping and other purposes then recharge on house current. Have not put any gas in it for about a year.
There is something deeply wrong with a nation that it makes war incessantly. Which has been our nation for a long, long time. Pouring trillions of dollars into all that effort. All while the welfare of the majority of people within our borders has diminished.
An article in the NY Times mentions between the US and Israel, 736 schools and 316 healthcare facilities had been damaged or destroyed by bombs and missiles so far in this war with Iran. That Israel and the US started under false pretence. This is considered a war crime by international law.
Our gasoline prices are an inconvenience and strain on our budget. But in Iran and other countries around the world we've done similar activity. This is death and destruction. Our government shows no remorse or effort to change foreign policy. It's been consistent for decades on end. Trump has only made it more vulgar and crude and obvious than other presidents. But the outcomes are always the same. Death and destruction, chaos and economic hardship.
Our political establishment never invests in the long term improvement of our people. Its priority is for the wealth of our nation. No one is held accountable. Ever!
I think our government is sick and depraved. It isn't all because of Trump either. It's been festering all these decades and he just exemplifies it to the fullest.
War is and always has been a massive money maker wherein those at the top of the "military/industrial complex pocket outrageous amounts of taxpayer dollars. Up until Trump, it has always brought a popularity boost to the President in power as well, but we've never had a "war" which was so obviously a political attempt at propping up a dying presidency. Meanwhile, your taxpayer dollars and mine are currently padding the pockets of many, already obscenely rich individuals who care nothing for those who are being killed or maimed in the name of "safety." We should all be deeply ashamed that we let them do this, and determined to never let it happen again.
Well the Vietnam war didn't boost Johnson's popularity. He bowed out because of it.
Bush Sr. got away with the first Iraq war because it was quick and decisive. But Jr. got mired in an unpopular insurgency war with Iraq. Clinton did an air campaign bombing in Kosovo Yugoslavia that killed many innocent people. Obama kept the campaign in Afghanistan going and used proxies, (terrorist groups) to vanquish Khadafi in Libya. Much death and destruction. Same with Syria. The US has and does use terrorist groups to do our bidding. Ahmed al-Sharaa was the No.1 ISIS leader before he became useful for our Gulf states plans.
Biden got Ukraine to be our proxy to try and put the hurt on Russia and somehow topple Putin in a far fetched notion cooked up in think tank policy papers. And had the Nord Stream pipeline blown up that has emaciated Europe's economy.
Trump wasn't the only president wanting Iran to topple so that our Petrodollar scheme in the Gulf would be cemented as our strategic weapon of control to countries in the world that didn't play by our rules based world order. But Trump was demented enough as is Netanyahu to try this stupid and arrogant attempt with bringing Iran down to our knees for our power mad ideology.
So all this is a continuation of agenda. That our murky shadow government, the deep state concocts to keep our world primacy intact. Which shows how disturbingly sick and depraved our government has become.
It seems to me at least that for any change in this pattern of behavior to occur. Will have to come from outside our government. Like Iran, and Russia and China. The BRICS countries. Who've formed this coalition to counter our wanton ways. Because our government won't work in our people's behalf or even listen to us.
They and the rest of the world would like to try and live in PEACE!
... and that sentiment has found a home in Pope Leo's remarks, infra. He is not a happy camper about all of it... JCV will not be very welcome at the Vatican when and if that event takes place. On Divine Mercy Sunday, yet...
If there's good news, EVs should become much more prevalent. I haven't paid a penny for gas for my car in almost 6 years. EVs... fast, quiet, little or no maintenance, environmentally friendly.
Sounds good, but, those in the cold climates do not benefit from them (batteries give out), rural areas do not have electrical stations, many are too low to the ground for snow and dirt roads that become a mess after snow or rain.
Over generalizations. We've had an EV for 3+ years, living fairly close to Canada, i.e. very cold climate, still snow on the ground here, now, mid April. We charge in our garage, with solar. Yes, we do have sun in the North. We pay for electricity only 4 months of the year, all electric house. Of course, people who live where there is snow don't buy cars that are too low to the ground. There are a lot of dirt roads in the area, but after living here for 49 years, I can easily say that I've never seen a dirt road that was a mess after rain or snow. People here know how to build quality roads and take care of them. It is true that there aren't enough public chargers, but that is improving. We just learn to plan. Unfortunately, a majority of the public chargers aren't the fast ones.
Sounds good to me, but I live in the NE Kingdom in Vermont, 60 miles from Canada and snow, refreezing, rain and then more snow causes awful pot holes until the weather stabilizes. Anyone driving down these roads will find it difficult to manage the deep and very muddy ruts. Many do not get enough sun to justify solar! Plus, the cost there is the enormous cost to solar panels and electric charger. No over generalizations here!
Looks like you may get more rain than we often do, though you probably have warmer weather, generally. Looks like you have a beautiful week coming up. We may get up to 20 degrees cooler than you this week. We had minus 19 just 3 weeks ago, but before global warming, that wasn't considered cold. We don't usually get ruts on the roads because they are plowed frequently. Yes, there can be pot holes, but they would affect a gas powered car the same as an electric vehicle. The cost of solar is dependent on where the panels are made, who does the work, etc., and how many your buy/size of your roof. Yes batteries for a solar system are quite expensive, which is why we didn't get one. Our highest electric bill, pre solar, was $189/mo. All electric house, no furnace, but very well insulated. The price of electricity has gone up a bit since 3.5 years ago. You can get an exact measurement of the amount of sun that comes to any area, and see how that works with the size of the solar array a house might use. Of course, if there are tall disciduous trees south of the house, that makes a difference. We have hundreds of trees, but they don't block the sun in summer, and no leaves in winter.
Regular grade is about $6.50/gal. in Los Angeles today, and rising.
How appropriate to call it Trump Gas. I also refer to the tragic fiasco in Iran as the Trump War. The oil situation has made Iran a world power thanks to Trump, and the various negative repercussions will reverberate for a very long time. The "silver lining" is that it will also spur countries to develop more renewable energy sources as a result. Hopefully, that will ultimately include the U.S. The Trump Regime has been vigorously denying global warming and promoting the oil industry, but the gas crisis resulting from the Trump War should certainly force the issue ...
- Karen Cooper
Karen - I also read that the oil companies are upset about the war because now they have to pay millions in bitcoin or yen just to get their ships out and the insurance companies are also tacking on a lot. Hope they are happy with their donations to get T elected. He has no position in which to bargain and they will come after us eventually. Great job T! But at least he got a free oil tanker from Venezuela, right? He claims that we are fine because we produce a lot of oil but we can’t use our own oil.
That and is anyone else not happy that he is stumping for a dictator in Hungary to win the election? Pretty sure he will even though everything shows that he is currently losing. But I’m sure that they can “fix” it.
Yes, I've heard all that, too. Trump is demanding that Iran give up control of the Strait of Hormuz, but why would they do that? It's huge leverage and a great source of revenue. The Iran/U.S./Israel "peace talks" are not going to go well. As it stands, I don't see any of the participants giving an inch, or even a fraction of an inch, considering the terms set forth. It's a very wide chasm.
The oil industry has always been about greed and influence, much like Trump himself. Funny thing about the oil tanker taken off of Venezuela is it's costing a fortune to maintain it. The money from the oil will no doubt remain with Trump and Venezuela will not get the benefit he promised. But then, he never keeps a promise, of course.
Everything is sunshine and roses according to Trump, but fewer people are buying that fantasy from day to day
- Karen
Little Iran — with a handful of drones and cheap missiles — has brought the world economy to its knees. Trump, meanwhile, rattles his saber: "Please, pretty please, open the Strait of Hormuz — or I may have to obliterate your entire infrastructure, and perhaps all of you while I'm at it."
Karen - I hope your last sentence comes true and multiples.
Foreign interference - anyone? If Russia can do it here we can do it there. One dictartor supporting another. How poetic.
Well—there’s one bit of good news, if the alert I just received from the NYT is true—Orban LOST his reelection bid. I haven’t read it yet and i hope it’s true.
Anne - I just saw that, too. It’s nice that he conceded but I will be even happier once he is actually gone. I guess that since T wouldn’t act like the bigger person and accept our results, and has put us through hell ever since, I am a little leery. But it is great news for Hungary! I’m half Irish and half Hungarian so I watched the election closely. Maybe all we need to win our elections is to have Vance stump for our opposition. ;)
“Fixing” it…exactly!
It's Trump Gas and the Trump War because he received no approval from Congress or anyone else except his sycophants and Israel to start it. He owns the outcome solely on his own!
While we all suffer from these outrageous gas prices, it is important to keep in mind that one very politically powerful group…who happen to be huge supporters of Trump…are profiting enormously.
Here is a brief explanation of how our domestic oil companies are huge winners from all this.
The oil and petroleum production and refining market is complicated, so it is true that the U.S. does import substantial amounts of petroleum (albeit over half of that is from Canada, and very little of it passes through the strait of Hormuz). However, we export about 2.8 million barrels a day more than we import…so the U.S. is a net exporter. Indeed, the U.S. is the single largest producer of oil in the world. So in some respects, “the U.S.” is huge beneficiary of the impact of the Iran war on oil prices (it’s just that the actual beneficiaries are the oil producing companies, not the consuming public.)
To further explain, while our oil companies are paying a higher price for any imported oil, they are also receiving the higher prices for the oil they export. Bear in mind that while oil and gasoline & diesel prices here in the U.S. have soared…the actual costs of production for domestic oil for our U.S. oil companies have not increased at all! So while those oil companies were cruising along profitably when the price of oil (i.e., West Texas Crude) was about $67 a barrel before the war, they are without question receiving enormous windfall profits now that the price of that oil is about $114 a barrel. (With an average daily production of oil in the U.S. at around 13.7 million barrels, that difference would yield an average windfall profit for oil producers of nearly $650 million per day. Not a bad reward for that politically powerful industry.)
So when the dust (hopefully) settles from all this, one good policy piece to include to help repair the damage would be a nice ‘windfall profits tax’ on the oil companies. I’m sure we can all think of some very worthy public services that Trump has slashed that could use some additional support.
Take note of the last sentence, especially; outfits like USAID, Save the Children, SNAP, you name it. I have been donating to them for 30 years, but, retired, on decreasing SS, increasing Medicare costs, rising property tax ($3000 last year, $3200 in 2026) stock IRA stuck in a rut - something has to give.
SNAP is a government program, formerly known as food stamps. USAID was also a government agency before it was killed. You couldn't have donated to those like you do Save the Children-- but of course we all "donate" our tax dollars.
Actually, math error. Property taxes are over $6,000 a year; above figures are two payments of $3000 and $3200 for 2025's obligation. Goes up 1% a year, semi-annual payments and 10% penalty if one misses the deadline.
A windfall profits tax + a wealth tax + a stock-trade transactions tax, all poured into various health care, housing, education, family-support, and infrastructure-repair programs could help this country improve as a fine place to live.
Then, if we took private money out of politics; abolished the Electoral College and had national direct elections; reversed the budgets of the Dept. of Defense and Dept. of Education; provided a 10-fold increase in support for public media; established term limits for all justices of the Supreme Court to 18 years; established term limits for Members of Congress (two terms for senators, and six terms for Representatives, with a retirement age of 75); established a single-payer universal health care program ("Medicare for All"); replaced the common-law system with a civil law judicial system; increased the budgets for broad R&D to 2.5% of the USGDP; began converting from a hydrocarbon-based to an alternative-fuels + conservation based energy economy; changed the Dept. of the Interior to become the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources, with a budget of $84 billion per year and a strong mandate to protect the environment; passed a Constitutional Amendment to the 14th Amendment to insert the word "natural" immediately in front of the word "person," so we can eliminate the pernicious doctrine of "equality" between corporations and human beings for Equal Protection purposes; really, strongly, and consistently thwarted the mixing of religion with secular/political affairs (as intended by the Founders of this country); made English the official language of this country, and taught it properly in the schools; made major revisions to our immigration and naturalization system to make it more transparent, fair, and consistent with our national needs; made changes in our education system to strongly focus on S.T.E.M. curriculae, and make college/university free---all of these changes might, just might, make America a pretty good place in which to live.
Excellent long term plan, Steve. We would need better people in government to carry it out. It’s possible. I like it as a goal.
Thank you, Martin!
Thanks for the info.
I spent $30.00 on five gallons of gas today in Alameda. And I used a discount from the gas station.
The Senseless Iran War discount. Along with lives lost consequence. And billions spent for 'discount '
Sharyn - Just five gallons!! Maybe having to give up my drivers license because of being disabled is making me feel a little better - but also guilty for all of you who have to still drive. :(
Here in Marin County too.
Wow. In the Santa Cruz area, I thought it was bad for Diesel drivers - it's $6.99, with all the other brands right behind... I note that ethanol gas (over 100 octane) is still available at some places at around $3.15/gallon, but probably is bad for old-car (2002 Nissan Altima, e.g.) valves, so I put 1-to-2 ratio ethanol-to-regular gas when I fill up at Costco once a month. Meantime, as a now-retired distance runner, I still do a lot of walking; at 84, it's better all around for me and the Altima.
I worked in a gas station during the OAPEC oil embargo in 1974. The price of regular was a whopping 47 cents per gallon.
I remember a time when it was .25/gal. Last century.
Phil, oh yes!! In the late 60s I would buy 2 gallons of gas for 50 cents and ride around town for a while. 😁
10 years of tacky hats and tired promises. Turns out there’s no greatness. Just a naked emperor who forgot to get dressed. Yuk. But MAGAs believe that this is Armageddon. So, any day now, we should be witnessing their transformation as they shift from a spiritual mode of anticipation to preparation. They are duty bound to heed ancient commands to forswear all misconduct, including following illegal orders. They must be moral, ethical, and truthful. They must be compassionate and generous, freely sharing what they have. In a nutshell, they must be blameless in all ways, as befitting the anticipated return of Messiah.
Any evangelical who persists in misconduct despite believing that this is Armageddon is not serving light and truth. Time will tell which lane they choose.
Here are my priorities:
1. Invoke the 25th amendment. JDV has a duty as VPOTUS and as a practicing Roman Catholic. If he is derelict, he could be excommunicated.
2. Win the house and senate in November. Impeach JDV and the cabinet.
3. Depose Ivanka and Marla Maples.
4. Issue arrest warrants for misprision of treason and/or felony (looking at you, IL, DE, VT, VA, CA, and RI).
5. FL Bar Association will take action on the complaints against Pam Bondi
6. Kristi Noem will be subject to an independent psychiatric evaluation since animal cruelty in adults can be associated with psychopathology. We owe it to Alex Pretti, Renee Goode and the US residents who died in ICE custody.
7. Cooperate with ICC in their prosecution for war crimes against Venezuela.
8. DNC will issue a platform of concrete solutions with timelines and budgets prior to the election.
I particularly like #5, 6 & 7. The treason has been rampant. Yes, few may know that Vance and Rubio and other Roman Catholics are subject to
Excommunication because they have publically violated the Gospel (basic human morality!). Pope Francis likely brought these critical faith issues to Vance (and the faithless orange one)before the Pope Francis died. Let goodness, virtue, truth and justice win the day in November.
This is from Pope Leo XIV:
Pope Leo XIV will take some grief, apparently, on his statement he made, infra. (Niemoller, the theologian, was correct, "They came for ... but I was not ---, so I didn't take note". …)
Pope Leo XIV: “God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs. Military action will not create space for freedom or times of peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.” …
“Absurd and inhuman violence is spreading ferociously through the sacred places of the Christian East, profaned by the blasphemy of war and the brutality of business, with no regard for people’s lives, which are considered at most collateral damage of self-interest. But no gain can be worth the life of the weakest, children, or families. No cause can justify the shedding of innocent blood.”
Whaddya say to that, Mr. President? Too many polysyllabic words for ya?
They will be surprised when they discover that the Kingdom is the “Kindom” as my pastor refers to it. On another level, those who are so sure they are perfectly righteous will be surprised when their lives require a “do over”, same lessons in the next life. The all power of the Cosmos, known as God, has many structures or processes that we do not perceive, it is God, after all.
💯
Energy and fuel prices are rocketing across Asia.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/apr/09/delhi-india-gas-energy-crisis-migrant-workers-leave
Carbon Brief has done an analysis of how 60 countries have responded to the energy crisis with emergency measures
https://www.carbonbrief.org/iran-war-analysis-how-60-nations-have-responded-to-the-global-energy-crisis/
It's already causing huge disruption in Ireland and Norway.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/10/fuel-price-protests-chaos-ireland-norway
Trump has always taken the view that somehow the US is insulated from these price shocks because it is a net exporter of energy and nothing seems to have shifted him from this totally irrational viewpoint. While other countries are using fiscal policy to protect their citizens, Trump is planning huge budget cuts to social programmes and increases to the military budget. I've read that he's tamped down his bid for war expenses from $200bn to $98bn, but it remains a big ask especially bearing in mind that his tax cuts will take effect later this year.
The effects of these energy price increases is already hitting home in Republican heartlands.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/trump-promised-to-cut-electric-costs-in-half-bills-in-energy-rich-west-virginia-now-top-mortgages/ar-AA20sFUx?uxmode=ruby&ocid=edgntpruby&pc=W036&cvid=69d7390831e74016b34c964153c9d87b&ei=32
...and I'd like to ask trumpets, how's that going for you?
Diesel at Shell in LA and SB counties is up to 7.99 per gallon.
Where’s “our strategic supply?” In addition, we don’t import from the Middle East I am told.
It's not much less in OC. Even Costc is approaching $6.
Ha! From the title I thought the orange grifter had begun marketing his own cheap gas!
He expels enough methane himself to fuel dozens of cars every hour.
Bwahahahaha!
Exactly Correct.
😆
If he thinks there’s a dollar in it, he’ll do it.
I thought it was about Trump giving us all gas, as in indigestion every time we think of him. 😀
I did, too. Was wondering how he'd pull it off.
Same! If his assets are seized, he could open orange big box stores à la Costco with Trump Gas and Trump RX and MAGA brand instead of Kirkland. The logo could feature in him in an orange jumpsuit. Which, hopefully, will be his daily attire…🤞
I did, too!
I did too!
Vincent from Napa-just give trump time!!!! His tiny brain moves veeeery slowly but this idea will smack him upside that putrid orange head sooner or later!!!! 😡😱🤑
JoJoK
Just like his "discount" drug program.
I checked to see what my car was worth in the Blue Book and it asked if it’s filled with gas or not.
Hah! That certainly would have an effect.
That line deserves to be spread far and wide.
😆
"Assuming we have fair elections." A major assumption. Everything they say is a projection. They say the election is rigged. And so they will try.
Yes, the GOP has been very creative in their voter suppression tactics for decades, and they've gotten away with incredibly blatant dirty tricks. There never seem to be any consequences for their actions, it's constant and happening right now
- Karen Cooper
Phillip - In Louisiana the legislature is trying hard to get rid of a clerk of court job in New Orleans because an exonerated man got the position with 68% of the votes. If they can’t cheat then they will find another way to suppress our vote.
Why am I not surprised?
I live in CA since 1990 (retired now) after 12 years as a public defender (OIDP) in the New Orleans area. I had no idea how wickedness was so interwoven with the criminal justice ("just-us") system. Until I left; 10 of my 11 death penalty clients were "poor, black" and in jail. Tried about 100 other jury cases in one year because some crazy judge wanted to "break the record"; I tried 2 jury cases a week during that stint, and that section judge got his the hard way, but he got his record. Justice be damned, although I did get a couple of NG verdicts. Lucky, blessed and glad to get out of there...Phil Johnson
Phil - My sibling worked at the Autobahn Zoo in NOLO and was also very happy once they got out of there. They liked the people and the place but sometimes it was just too much. The ones who don’t have the luxury of money definitely get a bad deal when it comes to the just-us system. Sometimes I wonder why they insist on putting up such a fight to test possible new evidence? Especially when it has a chance to potentially exonerate a person. Of course it doesn’t help the families affected by the crime though to have to go through it all over again. Personally I’d rather know for sure that the right person was in jail but I haven’t been put in such a position.
Again
Wait til tRumpf figures out some way to dump or divert Strategic Petroleum releases into red and purple states to buy votes.........
Diabolical!
No doubt about it, but unless Trump raids the strategic petroleum soon, it will make no difference in November. I hope. Well, sorta, except I hate to see everyday Americans suffer these high fuel prices. But, like Dr R. says, I’ll take any silver lining I can get right now.
Yep. Trump gas will be high for awhile. They have to be paid as these people (oil barons, billionaires, and the Trump clan?) continue to want more money.
Not only will we be paying for this in dollars, but we have lost all international credibility and how long will that last and at what dollar price?
Nick - And while people continue to suffer at home because of his tariffs and this war T goes ahead and is trying to sue the IRS and wants them to pay him billions. That’s our taxpayers money.
“these people (oil barons, billionaires, and the Trump clan?) continue to want more money.”
You forget deep state grifters, the Bidens and Clintons being st the top of the list
Cut gas taxes
Normal will never return. It never does.
Reason is helpless against human depravity.
Pope Leo XIV will take some grief, apparently, on his statement he made... Niemoller, the theologian, was correct, "They came for ... but I was not ---, so I didn't take note".
… Pope Leo XIV: “God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs. Military action will not create space for freedom or times of peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.”
… “Absurd and inhuman violence is spreading ferociously through the sacred places of the Christian East, profaned by the blasphemy of war and the brutality of business, with no regard for people’s lives, which are considered at most collateral damage of self-interest. But no gain can be worth the life of the weakest, children, or families. No cause can justify the shedding of innocent blood.”
Whaddya say to that, Mr. President? Too many polysyllabic words for ya?
And let’s not forget the Christian (Nationalist) Secretary of War Hegseth, who should have the words of the Pope burned into his flesh to cover up all those Nazi symbols all over his body.
I initiated this petition on ResistBot:
Billionaires Profited, Make THEM Pay for This Latest Failed War Based On Lies!
The Iran War is another failed Republican war, "Trump's War." The Billionaries who put Trump into office have pocketed $Billions from this war; THEY must pay for it, NOT the American people who never wanted this (or previous wars') destruction, death, and debt.
Make the Billionaires pay for this disaster, by proposing a Windfall War Tax, of 10% on all wealth over $1B, and 20% on all wealth over $10B. Continue this tax until this war and the previous failed Republican wars (Iraq and Afghanistan) have been completely paid for - including future expenses to take care of dead and wounded Americans.
The people profiting from this death, destruction and debt finally have to be held accountable, and that includes Trump himself.
You can sign by texting SIGN PBKAOYTO 50409 I highly recommend ResisBot
I signed on and broadcasted the site to all I could find. Hope it is not fake source or a devious AI plant...
Technically the givt ordered the war not contractors. They benefit enormously but Technically they are not culpable.
However they reward congress for being influenced by donors. Really pay for play. Democracy is worn out. It worked for 13 colonies. Now its ungovernable. Moralky corrupt if not actually corrupt. How else do you explain supporting enemies and attacking friends and threatening annihilation.
Enormous waste of money
If you want a short break from the tensions of war and grift and lies, tune in to the recovery of the Artemis II crew, live now, here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfhDuOHMp0A
Millions watching from around the world.
Watched on CNN. Still waiting to see them be removed from the capsule. So awesome!!I’m looking for pictures and videos that I can show to my grandkids.
Just called my one of my grandkids (age 7)--he is watching the live coverage now too!
👍 am listening to MS NOW coverage on Sirius as I read these posts.
I watched it for a couple of hours, until the astronauts were safely on the ship and walked to the medical bay. It made me tear up. Also made me proud of my family's Navy roots.
Thank you for sharing the link. I have been watching until all 4 astronauts were out of the helicopters and headed to the medical bay. Very different from what we could see 50+ years ago.
It was truly wonderful... thank you so much for making this link available!
Yes! it's nice to know in the midst of so much "awful" that some things, still, are truly wonderful.
As an Old Fart who watched men on the moon while another one orbited in 1969, I find Artemis underwhelming. Especially for $100 billion! This is not progress to me and not worthwhile. Sorry to harsh your buzz.
We’ve done most of these things many times. I am thinking of the money spent at this time and all that’s been undone and all those hurting over our economics now. I’m glad they are home safely, but it felt like an old rerun.
Trump is done the only question is how much more damage the world before the 25th Amendment removes him. Soon he will be seen as poison even by Republicans. Republican are mean and dumb but soon they will realize that not ridding of him spells suicide to them. I hope.
A really large fraction of the MAGA cultists appear to think that they're all going to be raptured together. It's the new Jim Jones, with orange kool-aid.
I'm 74. this "imminent rapture" crap has happened at least 20 times in my lifetime, maybe more as I've lost count and interest. I keep hoping they'll leave but they never do. I leaves me demoralized, depressed, despondent, dejected, and despairing of surcease from this idiocy.
If only they'd all do a "heaven's gate" move and castrate themselves. That would at least stop the Idiocracy in this generation.
Glen - Raskin wrote a letter to his doctor and listed all of the obvious reasons why he should give T a full neurological assessment and be prepared to come in front of Congress with the full results. Though removing him means Vance and I cannot decide which is worse. I also read that he made a lot of his followers absolutely livid about calling his podcast people who have said mean things about him as stupid and low I.Q. Now a lot of them are calling him out. So some hope, maybe?
We're talking about a guy who managed to go bankrupt running a casino! Good grief!!
The business made money and he made a fortune. Bankruptcy filing helped avoid the debts. Fraud on everyone. Same as lawsuit v treasury dept. He makes frivolous claim but orders treasure to pay. Complete and utter fraud devastating people's lives, for decades, with convictions. And the eorld knows it.
Robert, 'Trump Gas' is genius. Let's get yellow Trump gas signs with trumps shitty signature to be posted at the pumps, bright yellow. All the pumps.
Not to be too snarky but I have a 2019 Chevy Bolt which I fill up at the level 2 charger on my front porch. It's no good for long road trips but fine for everything else.
I have a 2016 Chevy Volt, which I use everyday for local shopping and other purposes then recharge on house current. Have not put any gas in it for about a year.
There is something deeply wrong with a nation that it makes war incessantly. Which has been our nation for a long, long time. Pouring trillions of dollars into all that effort. All while the welfare of the majority of people within our borders has diminished.
An article in the NY Times mentions between the US and Israel, 736 schools and 316 healthcare facilities had been damaged or destroyed by bombs and missiles so far in this war with Iran. That Israel and the US started under false pretence. This is considered a war crime by international law.
Our gasoline prices are an inconvenience and strain on our budget. But in Iran and other countries around the world we've done similar activity. This is death and destruction. Our government shows no remorse or effort to change foreign policy. It's been consistent for decades on end. Trump has only made it more vulgar and crude and obvious than other presidents. But the outcomes are always the same. Death and destruction, chaos and economic hardship.
Our political establishment never invests in the long term improvement of our people. Its priority is for the wealth of our nation. No one is held accountable. Ever!
I think our government is sick and depraved. It isn't all because of Trump either. It's been festering all these decades and he just exemplifies it to the fullest.
War is and always has been a massive money maker wherein those at the top of the "military/industrial complex pocket outrageous amounts of taxpayer dollars. Up until Trump, it has always brought a popularity boost to the President in power as well, but we've never had a "war" which was so obviously a political attempt at propping up a dying presidency. Meanwhile, your taxpayer dollars and mine are currently padding the pockets of many, already obscenely rich individuals who care nothing for those who are being killed or maimed in the name of "safety." We should all be deeply ashamed that we let them do this, and determined to never let it happen again.
Once elected how could people stop him. His govt wastes billions and kills american citizens. Many profit but at a huge cost
As it always has been, so it shall always be, unless —
we are all “so deeply ashamed that we let them (meaning our government) do this [yet again], and are determined to never let it happen again.”
Well the Vietnam war didn't boost Johnson's popularity. He bowed out because of it.
Bush Sr. got away with the first Iraq war because it was quick and decisive. But Jr. got mired in an unpopular insurgency war with Iraq. Clinton did an air campaign bombing in Kosovo Yugoslavia that killed many innocent people. Obama kept the campaign in Afghanistan going and used proxies, (terrorist groups) to vanquish Khadafi in Libya. Much death and destruction. Same with Syria. The US has and does use terrorist groups to do our bidding. Ahmed al-Sharaa was the No.1 ISIS leader before he became useful for our Gulf states plans.
Biden got Ukraine to be our proxy to try and put the hurt on Russia and somehow topple Putin in a far fetched notion cooked up in think tank policy papers. And had the Nord Stream pipeline blown up that has emaciated Europe's economy.
Trump wasn't the only president wanting Iran to topple so that our Petrodollar scheme in the Gulf would be cemented as our strategic weapon of control to countries in the world that didn't play by our rules based world order. But Trump was demented enough as is Netanyahu to try this stupid and arrogant attempt with bringing Iran down to our knees for our power mad ideology.
So all this is a continuation of agenda. That our murky shadow government, the deep state concocts to keep our world primacy intact. Which shows how disturbingly sick and depraved our government has become.
It seems to me at least that for any change in this pattern of behavior to occur. Will have to come from outside our government. Like Iran, and Russia and China. The BRICS countries. Who've formed this coalition to counter our wanton ways. Because our government won't work in our people's behalf or even listen to us.
They and the rest of the world would like to try and live in PEACE!
... and that sentiment has found a home in Pope Leo's remarks, infra. He is not a happy camper about all of it... JCV will not be very welcome at the Vatican when and if that event takes place. On Divine Mercy Sunday, yet...
If there's good news, EVs should become much more prevalent. I haven't paid a penny for gas for my car in almost 6 years. EVs... fast, quiet, little or no maintenance, environmentally friendly.
environmentally friendly …
😅🤣😂🤣😅🤣😂🤣😅🤣😂🤣😅🤣😂😂😅🤣😂🤣🤣
Sounds good, but, those in the cold climates do not benefit from them (batteries give out), rural areas do not have electrical stations, many are too low to the ground for snow and dirt roads that become a mess after snow or rain.
Over generalizations. We've had an EV for 3+ years, living fairly close to Canada, i.e. very cold climate, still snow on the ground here, now, mid April. We charge in our garage, with solar. Yes, we do have sun in the North. We pay for electricity only 4 months of the year, all electric house. Of course, people who live where there is snow don't buy cars that are too low to the ground. There are a lot of dirt roads in the area, but after living here for 49 years, I can easily say that I've never seen a dirt road that was a mess after rain or snow. People here know how to build quality roads and take care of them. It is true that there aren't enough public chargers, but that is improving. We just learn to plan. Unfortunately, a majority of the public chargers aren't the fast ones.
Sounds good to me, but I live in the NE Kingdom in Vermont, 60 miles from Canada and snow, refreezing, rain and then more snow causes awful pot holes until the weather stabilizes. Anyone driving down these roads will find it difficult to manage the deep and very muddy ruts. Many do not get enough sun to justify solar! Plus, the cost there is the enormous cost to solar panels and electric charger. No over generalizations here!
Looks like you may get more rain than we often do, though you probably have warmer weather, generally. Looks like you have a beautiful week coming up. We may get up to 20 degrees cooler than you this week. We had minus 19 just 3 weeks ago, but before global warming, that wasn't considered cold. We don't usually get ruts on the roads because they are plowed frequently. Yes, there can be pot holes, but they would affect a gas powered car the same as an electric vehicle. The cost of solar is dependent on where the panels are made, who does the work, etc., and how many your buy/size of your roof. Yes batteries for a solar system are quite expensive, which is why we didn't get one. Our highest electric bill, pre solar, was $189/mo. All electric house, no furnace, but very well insulated. The price of electricity has gone up a bit since 3.5 years ago. You can get an exact measurement of the amount of sun that comes to any area, and see how that works with the size of the solar array a house might use. Of course, if there are tall disciduous trees south of the house, that makes a difference. We have hundreds of trees, but they don't block the sun in summer, and no leaves in winter.
I think he will raise tariffs to make gas a better deal