Oil Prices

[SHOCKvalue]

The better entry level gigs for MBAs and JDs are more competitive right now in fed gov than they are at the big 5 consulting firms or big law firms, for comparison.

And what does that tell you?

Not flaming you at all, or trying to be provocative, but if demand is higher for a federal government job than its direct equivalent in the top tiers of the private sector, then there is a fly in the ointment.

[shocka khan]

And yet another myth bites the dust......

http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-is-the-oil-crash-about-to-snuff-out-the-texas-miracle-20141222-column.html

Watch what happens to the 'Texas Miracle' next year.....

[Play Angry]

And what does that tell you?

Not flaming you at all, or trying to be provocative, but if demand is higher for a federal government job than its direct equivalent in the top tiers of the private sector, then there is a fly in the ointment.

Oh no doubt, it's a good gig if you can get it. I probably misunderstood your post a little and just wanted to show a counter re: the qualifications of some fed gov workers.

[shocka khan]

SHOCKvalue never heard of the revolving door. Bank examiners become bank executives. And speaking of that, how many treasury secretaries and FED chairs came from Goldman Sachs? How about ALL of them from at least the last part of the Bush and Obama administrations.

JDs who practice for the FDIC make a tidy living running compliance departments at banks, too. They may not make much relative to their peers at the beginning, but they make it up.

[SHOCKvalue]

Kung, you said that government employees were overpaid and inept.

I would expect as much from a libertarian, and that's your problem. You're the mirror image of a socialist. Socialists believe that government cures all ills, libertarians believe government creates them.

Instead of using your 'what is true of the parts must be true of the whole' logic, why don't you bring some facts and figures to bolster your argument.

I was merely pointing out to you that corporations waste a whole lot more money than government.

Your logical correlation is trash.

The government takes its piece of flesh, at threat of economic and/or personal freedom. The private sector earns its return via the free enterprise system for whatever good or service it offers the open market. If the former blows money at will on flippant BS then you should be enraged for any number of patently obvious reasons. If the latter blows money at will on blow and hookers you can rightfully assume there might be trained monkeys at the helm, but otherwise have no care in the world about their actions.

[shocka khan]

So tell me (or give me some specific) examples where a rank and file government employee takes their 'piece of flesh'. Most are professionals like your wife, the schoolteacher.

[1979Shocker]

$1.99 gas in Wichita

http://www.kwch.com/news/local-news/199-gas-in-wichita/30374512

[SHOCKvalue]

So tell me (or give me some specific) examples where a rank and file government employee takes their 'piece of flesh'. Most are professionals like your wife, the schoolteacher.

If Apple's Siri had a "vapidly argumentative" setting, I think she might sound just like you. I'm not even sure half of your posts on here could be considered contextural to what you are quoting. You kind of sound like Siri when I ask her for directions to the nearest McDonald's and she instead randomly responds with the SSE Composite index, and then reboots my phone without asking.

[1979Shocker]

Price of gas in Wicbita over 10 year period

[moshock]

That looks just like my EKG during the Hawaii and Alabama games

[shocka khan]

If Apple's Siri had a "vapidly argumentative" setting, I think she might sound just like you. I'm not even sure half of your posts on here could be considered contextural to what you are quoting. You kind of sound like Siri when I ask her for directions to the nearest McDonald's and she instead randomly responds with the SSE Composite index, and then reboots my phone without asking.

Seems like you are a little narrow-minded and arrogant. I don't have any idea how you got to be a consultant, but you seem to have little tact and diplomacy. Most consultants are brought in to offer insight, ideas and strategy. I haven't seen you offer any of those three values in any of your posts here. Calling me 'vapidly argumentative' is something I consider a compliment from you.

By the way, you know that the newer versions of Siri use a male voice as well. Seems like you don't really know how to use technology, based on your general complaints.

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and I hope Santa brings you a brand new Iphone for Christmas. If he doesn't I bet you could buy yourself a new one and run it through your business as a tax deduction. I understand the newer versions of Siri work much better and I'm sorry you're having so many problems with it.

[shox1989]

I don't think so; not like Wichita. QuikTrip and Dillons/Kroger/KwikShop control the price of gas. Especially QuikTrip. They have to pay for people getting gas for up to $1.00 per gallon cheaper via loyalty programs somehow.

IDK about Salina. I haven't seen loyalty programs for gas in OKC except for Homeland grocery and they are a minor player. There is a lot more competition in the convenience store market in OKC than Wichita.

I can't think of any other explanation. Gas Mafia, maybe?

--'85.

I do think the Dillons and QT loyalty programs are keeping the price of gas a little higher in Wichita. I noticed that my QT loyalty card does not work outside of Wichita. Apparently QT is doing the loyalty program in Wichita to compete with Dillons/Kwik Shop.

[Kung Wu]

I don't understand how Dillons and QT loyalty programs can cause gas prices to be higher. If they are displaying higher gas prices on the board in order to make you feel like you are getting a discount with your loyalty card, why wouldn't the rest of the gas stations in the area simply undercut them with the "true" price and steal their business away? Someone explain!

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

Because MANY gas stations around the area adjust gas prices strictly based on what QT does.

They make little to no money on gas, and sometimes lose money.

[ShockTalk]

I don't understand how Dillons and QT loyalty programs can cause gas prices to be higher. If they are displaying higher gas prices on the board in order to make you feel like you are getting a discount with your loyalty card, why wouldn't the rest of the gas stations in the area simply undercut them with the "true" price and steal their business away? Someone explain!

It's usually the big dogs that call the shots. They lower prices to put a squeeze on the smaller guys. In Wichita, they need to keep the price up some to help cover their "rewards" cost. The small guy simply goes along for the ride at a higher profit margin.