Quote Originally Posted by ILUVRP View Post
if they want to play the crude oil game then they will have to pay more , it would not effect the true hedgers like South West Airlines.
So you are advocating a government solution...

How is Southwest a "true hedger"? I buy ~$2000 in gas annually, can I play without risking your margin wrath, accusations of greed, or the risk of taking physical delivery? I doubt I'm zoned to store crude oil.

Here is more to read in defense of speculation:

http://articles.marketwatch.com/2008...mmodity-prices
http://www.thefreemanonline.org/colu...er-scapegoats/

Your school of thought is old - possibly ancient. Are you of the opinion that all this time we ought to be paying 40% less? This school of thought also claims that oil use is inelastic so that a 40% price decrease would not be paired with an increase in consumption. That people won't change their behavior at $2.40/gallon vs $4/gallon....