The anti trust laws acutally help with collusion. It forces the Oil companies to communicate. That communication allows them to signal their thoughts and tendancies. They may not overtly discuss pricing or pricing strategies but it is inferred. Same thing that happens when you get to know somone real well you can communicate a lot of things with out rally coming out a saying it.

KK, I doubt your issues in collection are related to political affiliation. People on the eastside are jonesers and usually living beyond their means trying to keep up with the other guy. They would like topay you but have to go find Peter and Paul to rob them first.

Could be, but on the tony trendy eastside, living beyond your means is a bipartisan affliction, so it seems. I always, and I do mean always get paid. Only once did I have to use collection services. the guy told me it wouldn't be worth my time to go after him, so he just plain wasn't going to pay me. I told him I would decide what was, or wasn't woth my time, and his case, I assured him, it was worth my time. 105.00 total bill he stiffed me on, and he actually was doing the math on the phone to me, 'showing me' how it wasn't worth it for me to pursue him. I told him, that I would consider it an honor to sue him, and my moral duty to pursue all legal avenues for collection. Three years go by, I liened his house, and refinance time comes. Funniest damn thing you ever heard, when he finds a lien, and a total bill (attorneys, filing fees etc) of over 780.00,
I simply told him it wasn't worth my while, to clear up the paperwork on the lien, till I got back from a fishing trip.
SOB was furious with me, but I just told him what I tell Rory..... :p
(What Dick Cheney Said)

I did clear up any lingering issues with the lien, the very first thing Monday, upon my return.
Unlike Bush, while I'm a bit of a pr*ck, I am not a vindictive , spiteful little man.


KK

More saber rattling:

http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/27/news/senate_oil.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes