George
When the Government justifies its petrol taxes as essential for transport infrastructure it could be seen as a legitimate vindication for the horrendous gouging of the motorists’ wallets. After all, if we want good safe roads they come at a cost. At least that’s the line of BS we are expected to swallow. Of course, the Government’s not “fleecing” us so it has to be the oil companies doing the “fleecing”. What exasperates me is the appalling way the MSM accept this as a validation without challenge.
The government needs money for transportation, fair enough. But there is one major contradiction in the “fleecing” saga. We, the motorists require and demand a safe, convenient, clean, modern and efficient chain of supply. This demand comes at a cost to the petrol companies. For the petrol companies to service our demands it requires considerable investment by each identity to secure and increase their market share. They need profit from this investment. Their profit margin has to be measured by opposition pricing and adjusted accordingly. This is called “getting on with business” within a ruthless and demanding service. Of course, this Government would have no idea of this model of economics. They just take the money straight out of our wallets and set up an inquiry to identify why fuel is so expensive.
We, the motorists have choices. Whether we buy our petrol in a soft drink bottle on the side of the road in Vietnam or from a stunning luxurious multinational establishment just a stones throw from our front door. Whatever we choose, we do so for a purpose, whether it is price, convenience or loyalty. This Government secures its petrol tax without providing a transparent return. It is very obvious to all who is doing the “fleecing”, and it’s not the petrol companies. We spend our money at the petrol company we choose. They have to justify and earn our loyalty which is established through the investment of their profits and service.
Why have the MSM and the Opposition not slapped this across the face of the Government? I don’t claim the oil companies are squeaky clean but l would rather support an industry which gives me choice and enticement. Being “fleeced” by a manipulative pack of losers who presume my dollars should be removed by compulsion, only to fund a multi-billion dollar railway loop that 90% of Aucklanders will never use, is not business, it’s ideological theft. There are two words that separate the oil companies from the Government, they are “earned” and “taken”. Socialism has never heard of the former.