Hi Lonestar & all - I am not from CA. Also, even the Governor there has admitted the shortcomings of the state [by politicians of all strips,] so it is not a point of debate. However, even President Bush has agreed with Governor Davis that the rate of price increase of natural gas between CA and other states are disproportional. I could be wrong, but the #s were like $4 vs $11Also, while I am on the other side of the coast, electric bills have gone up 4x since dereg and gas bill has doubled in a yr. . Also, gasoline is not just a CA problem. The Mid West is hurting. Ultimately, this is not a us vs them thing. Considering CA is a producer of a big chunk of the nation's GDP [somehow, 1/6 is the # stuck in my mind,] if CA goes, so goes the nation. Already, prices of produces like vegetables etc have been steadily rising in my neighborhood. It is likely the same elsewhere. Restaurants etc will take a hit. The ripple effects will impact the average citizens who were barely able to make ends meet. A squeeze of corporate profitability will add to their psychological uncertainty. These are ingredients of potential economic disasters. I fear $500/family tax rebate will do little to alleviate the problems. One has to address the real issues. In this case, the price of energy overall in general and CA in particular. The energy producers/controlers may help their home states to garner some advantage. But the price is dear. It is interesting though. If an average joe resells a Superbowl ticket for profit, he can be thrown jailed. But when big corporations manipulate the energy mkt, they are merely trying to maximizing their profit potentials.
best, Bosco |
