are you saying that we are charged less than the going price of oil from OPEC by theoil and gas companies here, if it comes for here? I thought it was a global market and priced according to the global market?
and are you saying our gvt can make the oil and gas companies keep the products they produce here in the usa if it is drawn and produced here in the usa?
I guess I do not understand your comment on this because my understanding is that usa oil and gas companies can sell their product to whomever they choose and if it is china or Denmark that gives them the higher price for the fuel, they were obligated to their shareholders to get the higher price and not keep their products drawn from here, here.
The oil and gas companies will buy from whoever can offer it to them at the lowest price. If the domestic producers can undercut OPEC (which they ought to be able to do), than that will naturally drive down the cost of crude. Domestic drilling also has a natural advantage because the cost of transportation is much lower. Additionally, it puts money in the pocket of everyday people via royalties, rentals, signing bonuses,
etc. The major effect needed for gasoline prices to lower is for the economy to come back to life, which can be done by making crude oil cheaper. Once the economy turns around, gasoline consumption goes up, making it cost effective to sell here because they will make more money due to volume sold instead of price per unit.
I'm not suggesting that the government force anyone to do anything. Quite the opposite.