[steeljack]

Originally Posted by Royboy39

Who the the main speculators, is it the arabs, no it is the fat cat Americans.........We have had one on UK TV today....who have cash to burn.
You in America don't pay the same amount for petrol or gas , as you call it, as we do in the UK.

At the pump , no we dont , you pay 80% tax on yours to support social programs which we in the US don't have ,I think I pay about 18%tax , the base price at the well head is the same , refining costs are the same wether its done in Europe or the US, doesn't matter if its BP, Shell or Esso (non of the oil companies have any national alliegance)

When you say 'Western Governments' who do you mean US or UK or UN?
Arms deals are are agreed between responsible governments and the deals are offered as a package.
Don't underestimate the terms and conditions of these contracts..they are binding and are signed by high ranking representatives of the country that will beneifit.

Yep, and these packages have great big bloody slush funds built into them , only need to mention the Brit Saudi deal where the inquiry was shelved to save face on both sides

I am in favour of free trade but it comes to the point where you say 'We are being held to ransom' and what can we do to combat this.

You say your being held to ransom and what can you do ? its not OPECs fault the British Govt squandered the gift that North sea oil/gas brought , both labour and Conservative Govts gave away the national wealth ,how much was re-invested into the country ? can't blame the Arabs if the Politicians and business elite in the UK were stuffing their own pockets
The 10c washer falls into insignificance when you consider that more expensive equipment has to be provided as spares and has to be covered in the package.

If Russia isn't pumping oil at full capacity as someone mentioned , maybe its a good thing , they are thinking about their childrens futures