[NOS2Go4Me]

The problem that's becoming rapidly evident is that we need to regulate this kind of s**t.

It's not the same as selling toilets or cars or popcorn, because the market will only bear what the consumers are willing to pay. In this case, the tables are completely turned. The suppliers and their subsequent retail outlets (willing or not, they're still compliant) are artficially forcing the retail price of gas up and the government still doesn't see anything wrong with this. We have NO choice but to pay what they demand, simply because we don't have enough personal stockpiles of gas to offset the price hikes. Prices are inflated either by inflation or fear-mongering, and prices are inflated on gas already at the station that was already paid for at a lower price. This shouldn't be allowed to stand.

So, if enough people organize and form an effective lobby they'll have no choice BUT to see the inherent wrong in the gas oligopoly's ways.

Contact your MP, bring friends, family, coworkers and neighbours into the mix as well. If enough people speak out against this, it can be defeated.

It's funny, people at Esso still liken the sale of their product to milk and water. It's ironic in a literal sense and just disturbing otherwise. They say that water costs 1.50/L in the bottle and that milk is 1.49/L.

First off, when you buy 4L of milk in the bag or jug, it comes out to less than 1.49/L by far. No one outside of single pensioners or possibly a single student buys 1L milk cartons consistently.

As for water, every municipality supplies water to its residents. Whether you pay a flat fee for water (like North Bay) or you pay a metered amount (large cities, like Toronto) you're paying far less than 1.50/L. Even after factoring in several Brita filters, an inline filter system even, you don't come anywhere near close to that level.

The bottom line here is that drinking milk and water is required to live a healthy life, and just plain required to live. Duh. Drinking gas will kill you. I'm just extending the use of their comparison.

Gas is used on a far higher consumption rate each day by every Canadian with a vehicle. We don't guzzle 6-8 bottles of water a day, and we don't consume 8-10L of 1.50/L milk each day. However, it's quite possible that in the natural course of a work day that we regularly consume 10L or more of gas, especially in large vehicles. Commuters know this fact the best.

Each of us determines our own fate. None of us (save for a small few) determine what the price of gas is each day, especially after that gas has already been bought and paid for by the local retailer.

Anyone else see a problem with the fact that the sale of gas isn't regulated?