Ideas we've been presenting since blog inception i.e. the Pooring of America - are starting to gain fame in the mainstream media. Again, gas dropping 50 cents is not going to fix the consumers problem. I don't care what the consumer stocks rally is "telling us" - that's just hedge funds running in and out of stocks to create a return so they can make their quarter. You have a nation built on 25 years of easier and easier credit, and that credit is drying up by the day. Then in the past decade as the middle class loses its buying power and wages do not keep up with inflation it only exaggerated the problem. To stay afloat and or "live the American lifestyle" many resorted to pulling every lever they have. Now the bill will be coming due. I ...

By Jennifer Yousfi Managing Editor ConocoPhillips (COP) is selling its remaining company-owned gas stations in the latest example of the changing face of the retail gas station business. According to unnamed sources, ConocoPhillips, the third-largest U.S. oil company and second largest U.S. refiner, plans to sell 600 company-owned gas stations to PetroSun West LLC for $800 million. The deal is expected to close today (Wednesday). "This transaction is designed to strengthen our branded wholesale business model and grow market share," said Clayton Reasor, President, U.S. Marketing of ConocoPhillips, MarketWatch reported. "We have worked with PetroSun before and believe that they will continue to enhance our brands and provide excellent service to our retail customers." ConocoPhillips operates domestic gas stations under the Phillips 66, Conoco, and 76 brands in the United States and JET brand in Europe. PetroSun plans to boost gas ...