A few weeks ago, gasoline around the county was pretty reasonably priced. Outside of California, it was below 80 cents a gallon in places. In California it was about a buck. But then a funny thing happened. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced that they were planning to cut production to push prices up. Let me repeat that, they announced that they were planning. They didn't actually get a chance to boost prices, no ship pulled-up to any port and was charged any additional fee. No crude oil flowed into our nation at an increased rate.
But the prices SHOT UP. They went up everywhere, but nothing like what happened in California. There, prices skyrocketed to more than $1.50 a gallon! The station owners said "we're not making any additional money" (as they raised their prices 5 cents a day for 10 days). And the oil companies said "oh pity us! We're not making any money" Well somebody is making an extra 50 cents per gallon and I really don't give a damn who it is. I'm ready to do something about it.
There is a movement that started in Los Angles to boycott all gasoline purchases for one day, April 30, 1999. The people who have spread the word, are asking that no one purchase ANY GASOLINE NEXT FRIDAY.
But they aren't going far enough. They are just asking for us to stock-up on Thursday or holdout until Saturday. That is NOT ENOUGH! That would be meaningless because it would just average out the same as if nothing was done. In fact, it's bad for workers because it tells station owners in advance the don't need as many employees on that day, since less work will be required.
I ask that you not only boycott all gas purchases on April 30th, but I suggest that you take it one step further DON'T DRIVE ON FRIDAY. Or at least, DON'T DRIVE ALONE. If everyone who usually drives alone would take the bus, ride with a couple of friends or ride a bike, it would result in a major message for the folks who are holding us hostage.
One day won't break "Big Oil" but it will scare them. They don't like having Americans save gas. They don't like ride-sharing (probably invented by communists) or riding bicycles (too damn healthy). But more than anything else, they don't like people NOT buying their gasoline. If we, the people, can reduce our consumption on one day, just one day, it will send two messages. One, it will tell the producers and sellers that we can do something besides just complain and fork-over the dough. Secondly, it will tell US that we can do something besides just complain and fork-over the dough! People need to realize that the power is ours. Tiny actions, accomplished by millions of Americans, can win wars and defeat price-gouging oil companies.
Please join me, don't buy gas on Friday, April 30th!
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