>Do you remember the days when most of the gas stations were owned and run locally? When you drove to the cheapest station or the station owned by a friend or a friend of a friend? When conglomerates starting buying them all up and merging and then started under-pricing the little man, those remaining complained that it was the calm before the storm. They stated in news interviews that eventually when the big guys either owned all the little guys or drove the few remaining out of business that then the slow increase in petrol would ensue due to lack of competition. Interesting. I'm not saying that has anything to do with the current price of petrol, but it is interesting to think back on it. Wonder if any of those little guys are still around?

Yes, I do remember those days. I have a friend who owns a BP station and a tire store. He says they only make pennies on the gas, and timing is everything. If they buy at the wrong time, they can take a beating.

He says he thinks there is something afoot with all the muslims now owning all the gas stations, motels and convienence stores. I think he may be right. I think they are under reporting revenues, not paying taxes, and sending the money back east, just before they leave the business.