Gas Prices in Michigan

As a resident of Michigan, it amazes me how our gas prices fluctuate on a daily basis. I'm not talking about a few cents at a time, like in other states. I'm referring to our 25-45 cent jump within a minute.

Today, I drove by a local Speedway gas station at 10:30 this morning and the price of regular gas was $3.76 per gallon. When I passed by the same station 20 minutes later, the price had gone up to $3.99 per gallon! Would someone PLEASE explain to me why this is done?

Other points I need to make is that our local Sam's gas station price of regular gas was $3.69 per gallon, so the price of gas basically jumped 30 cents per gallon. Also, the price of a barrel of oil increased by a dollar to $100 per barrel, so WHY is the price that the consumer pays increased by 30 cents?! It's plain and simple GAS GOUGING! It's a holiday weekend, and as always, gas jumps a minimum of 25 cents per gallon in this state! Michigan residents are already taxed to death and we are SICK of it! I can guarantee that Ohio gas prices are at least 30-50 cents a gallon cheaper than Michigan. Whenever we travel out of state, we buy enough gas in Michigan to get out of the state, then fill up in Ohio.

Please don't give me the usual bull of "supply and demand". My theory and definition for that statement is the oil companies are DEMANDING that WE SUPPLY them with a higher profit margin. Obviously, Big Oil is not satisfied with their $5-$15 BILLION dollar QUARTERLY profits. The fat cats that draw their multi-million dollar bonuses won't be happy until the average consumer is bankrupt, while THEY laugh all the way to the bank!

With gas prices at nearly (and some places over) $4.00 per gallon, let's think about this for a minute. For someone who makes minimum wage of $7.40 per hour, they have to work two hours to purchase barely over 3 gallons of gas. Unless you work very close to your job, if you are lucky enough to have a job, exactly how far will 3 gallons of gas take you? Someone that makes minimum wage, can hardly afford a newer car with supposedly better gas mileage, so how does lower to middle class break even, much less get ahead in life?

When will our politicians stop this madness? Does any of them even care about the little guy? While they have their expense accounts to pay for gas for their cars, which taxpayers are responsible for, they should be forced to live on minimum wage for six months. No expense accounts, no outrageous pay, no perks, no bonuses, no benefits, no credit card, nothing but $7.40 per hour...period! I also feel that a law should be enacted that NO POLITICIAN, President, member of Congress, or lawmaker should be allowed to have any interest or stock in oil, fuel, or energy. They should not be allowed to profit along with Big Oil at the expense of the people who put them in office.

Are there ANY honest politicians that don't take kickbacks, donations from, or profit from Big Oil?

An updated note:  Less than 24 hours later after the spike in prices, local gas prices dropped to $3.74 per gallon!  What is the purpose of gas prices jumping from $3.76 to $3.99 and back down to $3.74 in less than 24 hours?!  The only explanation is GAS GOUGING since the price of oil only fluctuated $1.00!