At great cost and risk to the American and world economies, consumers are ripped off billions of dollars every day by oil interests and their malevolent influence on market pricing mechanisms. It's essential Americans and oil consumers throughout the world understand where the money they pay for oil's downstream products goes-including the money paid at the pump, the money paid to heat their homes, and the money paid for the array of other petroleum-based products. In Ruminations on the Distortion of Oil Prices and Crony Capitalism, author Raymond J. Learsy not only discusses the distortion of oil pricing, but also focuses on effects of the crony capitalism that has enriched a select few and left Main Street in the lurch as a result of government mismanagement, moneyed influence, and craven oversight. This collection of previously published writings shows how speculators ratchet up the prices of basic material goods essential to daily lives. Learsy describes how ceding the determination of those prices not to the laws of supply and demand but predominantly to gambling dens on the trading floors of commodity exchanges as well as the price fixing collusion of producer nations (OPEC) is crippling to the world's economy.

Focusing as well on Wall Street's corrupting influence on the price of oil, gasoline, and other commodities, Ruminations on the Distortion of Oil Prices and Crony Capitalism provides an overview of the basic and important theme: the United States' enslavement to oil and the moneyed interests inextricably tied to it.

These political essays, which originally appeared in the "Huffington Post," chronicle the financial and environment malfeasance of the oil industry during the last five years.

Oil is a commodity that is essential to the world's economic well-being. But it is also an industry rife with corruption. In OIL AND FINANCE, author Raymond J. Learsy chronicles the problems within the oil industry and details how these issues affect both US and global politics.

Culled from a collection of essays that first appeared in the "Huffington Post" throughout the last five years, OIL AND FINANCE provides an illuminating understanding about where we've been and where we're headed as a nation with respect to our fossil-fuel consumption, our environment, our financial system, our security, and our place on the global stage. It uncovers the truth behind oil pricing-including its speculation and manipulation, the politics of oil and its impact on our security, oil's influence on our domestic and foreign policies, OPEC's success, and the menacing impact of oil on the environment.

OIL AND FINANCE presents a real-time account of a nation in crisis. Filled with contemplations and reactions, it is also a call to arms and a battle plan. It communicates how we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, develop alternative energy sources, stabilize our economy, shore up our national security-and prosper as a people.

At great cost and risk to the American and world economies, consumers are ripped off billions of dollars every day by oil interests and their malevolent influence on market pricing mechanisms. It's essential Americans and oil consumers throughout the world understand where the money they pay for oil's downstream products goes-including the money paid at the pump, the money paid to heat their homes, and the money paid for the array of other petroleum-based products. In Ruminations on the Distortion of Oil Prices and Crony Capitalism, author Raymond J. Learsy not only discusses the distortion of oil pricing, but also focuses on effects of the crony capitalism that has enriched a select few and left Main Street in the lurch as a result of government mismanagement, moneyed influence, and craven oversight. This collection of previously published writings shows how speculators ratchet up the prices of basic material goods essential to daily lives. Learsy describes how ceding the determination of those prices not to the laws of supply and demand but predominantly to gambling dens on the trading floors of commodity exchanges as well as the price fixing collusion of producer nations (OPEC) is crippling to the world's economy.

Focusing as well on Wall Street's corrupting influence on the price of oil, gasoline, and other commodities, Ruminations on the Distortion of Oil Prices and Crony Capitalism provides an overview of the basic and important theme: the United States' enslavement to oil and the moneyed interests inextricably tied to it.

There is a pervasion of misinformation clouding the public's understanding of how oil prices are really determined and the policies in place that have rigged the game to benefit the house dealers: the oil industry. In this book, Raymond Learsy discusses how the rich and powerful have gamed a system to the detriment of the vast majority, documenting with cunning commentary and savvy wit how we've ended up with $4+ gasoline.

These political essays, which originally appeared in the "Huffington Post," chronicle the financial and environment malfeasance of the oil industry during the last five years.

Oil is a commodity that is essential to the world's economic well-being. But it is also an industry rife with corruption. In OIL AND FINANCE, author Raymond J. Learsy chronicles the problems within the oil industry and details how these issues affect both US and global politics.

Culled from a collection of essays that first appeared in the "Huffington Post" throughout the last five years, OIL AND FINANCE provides an illuminating understanding about where we've been and where we're headed as a nation with respect to our fossil-fuel consumption, our environment, our financial system, our security, and our place on the global stage. It uncovers the truth behind oil pricing-including its speculation and manipulation, the politics of oil and its impact on our security, oil's influence on our domestic and foreign policies, OPEC's success, and the menacing impact of oil on the environment.

OIL AND FINANCE presents a real-time account of a nation in crisis. Filled with contemplations and reactions, it is also a call to arms and a battle plan. It communicates how we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, develop alternative energy sources, stabilize our economy, shore up our national security-and prosper as a people.