Regular gas is $2.79.9 here in Shelby, NC, up 12 cents from last weekend...Enegry moguls here think the price will level off around $3.00 and maybe?? start falling again after Memorial Day.......
Last summer we took a 3000 mile trip, and the average price per gallon we paid was $2.35 (mosty premium grade). Our total gas cost was about $400.
For this summer we plan on about a 4000 mile trip (to Colorado). I'm figuring an average of $3.00 per gallon. If this figure holds true, then our total gas bill will be about $732, which is 37% higher than last year, on a per-mile basis. Or, to put it another way, last year's trip would cost us $549 at this year's (anticipated) prices.
For a couple of weeks I was seriously considering changing our plans and traveling more locally instead of going to Colorado. But than I did the math and began to think more philosophically. If I could afford $400 in gas last year, would I have been willing to take the same trip last year if gas had been $549? You bet I would! Since I am blessed to be able to afford the $732, and I can afford the time for travel, why not go to Colorado? There is nothing around here that even remotely approaches the beauty and magnificence of Colorado. So, we made our reservations. There may come a time when we can't do things like this, for one reason or another. That time is not yet.
See you in Colorado!
I filled up earlier this week for $2.579. Posted price was $2.599, but that SuperAmerica/Speedway reward card has it's uses.
Austin
I filled up Sunday for $2.599...Monday it was $2.650 This morning it is $2.779....:(
I'm paying about $500 a month :yikes: for gas to keep my truck on the road! That's more then the truck payment! :%
And what's worse is it's going to a bunch of greedy b@st@rd$ with big nameplates at oil companies, and a slew of jerks in a desert who were lucky enough to live in a land where all the oil just happened to be.
You wonder where the heck our government is during all this. I know there's an oil man in the White House, and he probably doesn't want to upset his meal ticket, but the revenue these companies are generating is way past obscene; they're booking record profits each quarter! Unless the Government steps in and stops this madness I'm afraid it's going to continue unabated.
In my opinion, this problem is so huge that you wonder if it's going to start destabilizing the entire economy...
I bought gas in Santa Barbara, CA last weekend..........$3.01. It's about $2.80 here in Los Angeles. :mad:
$2.629 for regular 87 octane and 2.789 for super 93 octane. This particular station does not sell mid grade.
Diesel 2.799
My commuter uses super because it has a supercharger. I commute about 500 miles/wk plus whatever the weekend brings. Slowing down to 60mph has gotten me up to 30-31mpg with my 98 Buick park Avenue Ultra. I have at least 43 miles of uninterrupted highway travel each way.
Quote from: SpeakEasyFor a couple of weeks I was seriously considering changing our plans and traveling more locally instead of going to Colorado. But than I did the math and began to think more philosophically. If I could afford $400 in gas last year, would I have been willing to take the same trip last year if gas had been $549? You bet I would! Since I am blessed to be able to afford the $732, and I can afford the time for travel, why not go to Colorado? There is nothing around here that even remotely approaches the beauty and magnificence of Colorado. So, we made our reservations. There may come a time when we can't do things like this, for one reason or another. That time is not yet.
See you in Colorado!
I would love to see you in Colorado, but we're only going as far as South Dakota! ;)
I agree with you completely. I had already promised my kids no long road trip this year (last year's was about 2000 with a couple of really L O N G driving days) ... so we're taking a leisurely two days out and back (about 600 miles each way) and relaxing with family while we are there. Didn't even consider canceling.
Now I'm saving as much as I can for the road trip to the Smokies next summer. :D
We've been spoiled in this country for a loong time with relatively very low prices for fuel. Aside from cleaning up corruption where it exists, there is very little the gov't can be expected to do here. It's supply and demand with a limited natural resource (I understand it's more complicated than that when OPEC and refining capacity, etc, are considered, but the basic issues remain basic).
Also, while I agree that any corruption existing in the oil industry should be aggressively prosecuted, we should also realize that those oil companies work for their shareholders, who expect as much profit as possible - as with any company. In fact, many people who rail against them are in fact shareholders themselves. If you don't think you are, you would be wise to check the fund allocations in your IRA/401K/other investments. Chances are you (this is not directed to anyone in particular) are not putting your money where your mouth is.
I personally think high prices are good, because the pain we feel when they are high is the *only* thing that will lull us, as a society, out of our complacency on this issue and actually figure out a solution and/or change the way we live. It's not going away. Hybrids are not the solution, they are a bandaid. They still burn fuel, and we put more vehicles on the road every year, so hybrids change nothing in the long term. And we are currently paying very low prices when compared to most in the developed world.
A retired friend of mine has a class-A motor-home. It gets about 6MPG. It would cost him $2,000 for fuel to make a 4,000 mile trip. That doesn't even include maintenance on that monster. He had a brake job done last year and it cost him $3,000. I don't even want to ask him what he pays for tires and insurance :eyecrazy: .
I think that you will see a lot of motor-homes on the market when gas prices get over $3. PUs may become very popular at that point. Then again, I have been saying that for about 35 years :p.............. ever since gas topped $1. Oh, how I remember saying, "OMG.........a dollar a gallon :eyecrazy: .........to heck with it....I'll sell my car and buy a bike if gas tops a dollar". :p I had a GMC Class-A motorhome at the time :p .
Quote from: waveryA retired friend of mine has a class-A motor-home. It gets about 6MPG. It would cost him $2,000 for fuel to make a 4,000 mile trip. That doesn't even include maintenance on that monster. He had a brake job done last year and it cost him $3,000. I don't even want to ask him what he pays for tires and insurance :eyecrazy: .
I think that you will see a lot of motor-homes on the market when gas prices get over $3. PUs may become very popular at that point. Then again, I have been saying that for about 35 years :p.............. ever since gas topped $1. Oh, how I remember saying, "OMG.........a dollar a gallon :eyecrazy: .........to heck with it....I'll sell my car and buy a bike if gas tops a dollar". :p I had a GMC Class-A motorhome at the time :p .
I saw a record number of the large motorhomes/coaches at the WalMart last night. And they were going places, not with For Sale signs on them.
The unfortunate reality is that even with huge price increases in fuel costs, it is relatively minor in the cost of owning an self powered RV, most of which go under 5,000 miles per year. Statistics say that the first year "retired" owner of a motorhome will probably put about 10-12,000 miles on it (taking that California trip). The next year will probably be under 6,000 miles, and it drops significantly after that for most. So, despite the shock of paying for either diesel or gasoline, it still is a relatively minor expense for a motorhome that costs over $65,000 for a Class C and $150,000 for a Class A.
Just a reminder, Discover card is offering a 5% cashback program through June 30 for up to a $1,000 worth of fuel if you go to their website and sign up your existing Discover card with them.
For those of us (like me) who commute over 500 miles per week, any cashback on fuel is a Good thing.
Fuel is a small part of what I spend on camping and everyday budgets. I don't like that prices are going high, but frankly, I have lots of other things that weigh on my mind much heavier.
Larry
I want us as a family to visit places like Washington, DC; Black hills; Grand Canyon etc. If I had to pay for flights for the 5 of us, rental car, hotel accomodations and restaurent priced food every day of the vacation then we couldn't do it. Even with gas prices the way they are right now I figure I'm still well ahead driving and towing my camper.
Then again being raised in the U.K for the first 30 years of my life got me used to high gas prices. I still think gas is cheap here :D
I live in Houston, drive 1000 miles a month just to work and back, we are paying $2.79 for regular. And we live in the in a gasoline producing area. They don't need to ship the gas very far.
I'm too disgusted with the bastard oil companies and the nit wit in the Oil House, err I mean White House to even comment on the price of gas. :mad:
Quote from: raptorWe've been spoiled in this country for a loong time with relatively very low prices for fuel. Aside from cleaning up corruption where it exists, there is very little the gov't can be expected to do here. It's supply and demand with a limited natural resource (I understand it's more complicated than that when OPEC and refining capacity, etc, are considered, but the basic issues remain basic).
Also, while I agree that any corruption existing in the oil industry should be aggressively prosecuted, we should also realize that those oil companies work for their shareholders, who expect as much profit as possible - as with any company. In fact, many people who rail against them are in fact shareholders themselves. If you don't think you are, you would be wise to check the fund allocations in your IRA/401K/other investments. Chances are you (this is not directed to anyone in particular) are not putting your money where your mouth is.
I personally think high prices are good, because the pain we feel when they are high is the *only* thing that will lull us, as a society, out of our complacency on this issue and actually figure out a solution and/or change the way we live. It's not going away. Hybrids are not the solution, they are a bandaid. They still burn fuel, and we put more vehicles on the road every year, so hybrids change nothing in the long term. And we are currently paying very low prices when compared to most in the developed world.
ALRIGHT!!!! Do you work for Shell or Mobil ??? LOL
Quote from: TheVikingALRIGHT!!!! Do you work for Shell or Mobil ??? LOL
Neither. I'm a US Army officer and I work for you. I serve voluntarily and proudly, but I'm also tired of getting deployed around the world to fight oil wars for our spoiled nation. We need to figure out a way to get off the bottle so I can start seeing my family more than one out of every three years. If that means you all have to pay more for gas for us all to "wake up", then I'm all for it. Pay up and feel some pain. I certainly have been.
THANK YOU, Raptor for your service!!!
Interesting to note that AAA predicts that the demand for gasoline will increase 1.5% this year over last year even if gas hits $3.00.
Doesn't seem like many people are changing their travel plans drastically.
Gas just jumped 10 cents here. $2.69 for reg.
Very interesting points mentioned above. Pop-up camping is still a very affordable way of seeing various sights around the country. I try not to cpmplain and live each day to the fullest. There's really not much we can do about gas prices.
Quote from: raptorWe need to figure out a way to get off the bottle
That's the bottom line and I agree 100%. I think that we each need to make that a very personal responsibility. I'm not talking "Hybrid" vehicles either. They are a "Cop-out" IMHO. They are
STILL dependent on that almighty glob of crude oil.
IMHO, this nation is moving
far tooooooo slowly on hydrogen fuel cell technology. Until
we as Americans start demanding and
BUYING fuel cell cars and going to solar power for our homes, we are still trapped.
I also cannot figure out for the life of me, why we are not building more nuclear power plants. If we had more nuclear power, rechargeable electric vehicles would make sense. As long as we are producing electricity with crude oil, rechargeable electric cars make no sense.
BTW, electric vehicles are great for towing too. As apposed to the internal combustion engine, electric motors produce the same HP throughout 90% of their RPM range.
Well here in Hendersonville, NC near the interstates $2.85 to $2.99 East end of town $2.75 I'm going south and most the time SC prices are lower. I will fillup there. Have a new tow vehicle this year, went from a 96 Ford E-250 w/ a 4.9 6 banger to a 05 Chevy 1500 W/ a 4.3 6 banger hoping for more that 14mpg.
Luckly, I drive a company supplied vehicle for work. Gas prices don't affect me as much as others. But, I am kinda concerned about what prices for fuel are going to do to plane ticket prices. Wife and I are planning on visiting her parents next year.......in Butuan City, Philippines....
It went up another five cents over night, it's now $2.84 here in Shelby, NC.....
Quote from: jawilsonI'm paying about $500 a month :yikes: for gas to keep my truck on the road! That's more then the truck payment! :%
And what's worse is it's going to a bunch of greedy b@st@rd$ with big nameplates at oil companies, and a slew of jerks in a desert who were lucky enough to live in a land where all the oil just happened to be.
You wonder where the heck our government is during all this. I know there's an oil man in the White House, and he probably doesn't want to upset his meal ticket, but the revenue these companies are generating is way past obscene; they're booking record profits each quarter! Unless the Government steps in and stops this madness I'm afraid it's going to continue unabated.
In my opinion, this problem is so huge that you wonder if it's going to start destabilizing the entire economy...
Right On...!!!! Gas in So. Florida is about $2.85/gal and going up every day. That's why I bought a scooter. It gets about 100 miles/gal.
Around here...about $2.89 a gallon....:eyecrazy:
But...my boss privides me with a gas card(BP) with a 45 gallon limit per month...I haven't bought gas without the card in 8 months......:p
Quote from: raptorAside from cleaning up corruption where it exists, there is very little the gov't can be expected to do here. It's supply and demand with a limited natural resource (I understand it's more complicated than that when OPEC and refining capacity, etc, are considered, but the basic issues remain basic).
I disagree; there is a LOT more the government can do then they are. The pay scale for the executives of these companies is repulsive, and the profits are borderline illegal. Since EVERYONE in the nation is suffering, while those guys are making money by the tanker full, it's way more then obvious that something is completely out of whack. This is the exact type of situation that the government is supposed to intercede with, when the people are being taken advantage of and they are powerless to do anything about it. The only voice that those glutinous slobs would have no choice but to listen to would be the government -- they wield the stick that we, as individuals, don't have.
Quote from: raptorAlso, while I agree that any corruption existing in the oil industry should be aggressively prosecuted, we should also realize that those oil companies work for their shareholders, who expect as much profit as possible - as with any company. In fact, many people who rail against them are in fact shareholders themselves. If you don't think you are, you would be wise to check the fund allocations in your IRA/401K/other investments. Chances are you (this is not directed to anyone in particular) are not putting your money where your mouth is.
My money is where my mouth is; I've owned Exxon/Mobil stock for years. And you know what? The dividend payments have been absolutely minuscule, while the cash trough is being inhaled by a very few disgustingly fat hogs. Don't think it's true? Here's just
one example of the abuse that's going on right under your nose.
Quote from: raptorI personally think high prices are good, because the pain we feel when they are high is the *only* thing that will lull us, as a society, out of our complacency on this issue and actually figure out a solution and/or change the way we live.
While there is no doubt that a long term solution to this problem must be found, to take any personal gratification in this potential economy-collapsing nightmare is absurd. Sorry, but that's MY personal opinion of your statement. Take a poll of how many people think the current situation is good and oil company executives and leaders of OPEC will more then likely be the only ones on the list with you. That's some pretty impressive company to be in, isn't it?
I can't see where anyone not reaping some type of staggering compensation from this fiasco could find a single shred of good in this. Guess it's pretty obvious how livid I am, huh? :swear:
While I agree with most of the posts, here's what I don't understand.
When gas prices change, unless the station got a same-day delivery, it is the same gas sitting in the ground as it was before prices change. It seems like buying day-old bread at new bread prices....it just doesn't make any sense to me.......JMHO :eyecrazy:
Many years ago, while still very young, I worked as a peon in a grocery store. The store owner had just purchased a big shipment of coffee. We had pallets and pallets of it sitting in the back room. Not long after that there was a problem with coffee production in Brazil. Overnight the price of coffee skyrocketed. I think it nearly doubled. I looked at all that "old" coffee sitting in our store-room, and I thought, "Wow, our customers are going to love us. We can keep the price of coffee down for weeks with what we've got in stock."
HAH! Was I wrong!
The store owner jacked up the price of coffee along with everyone else and made an obscene amount of profit on that shipment.
That was the end of my rose-colored glasses.
Of course - the store owner will tell you that it works out the opposite way an equal number of times. He buys high and has to sell low because of forces outside his control.
Welcome to capitalism.
I still believe it is the best economic system on earth.
Quote from: jawilson(snip)...
While there is no doubt that a long term solution to this problem must be found, to take any personal gratification in this potential economy-collapsing nightmare is absurd. Sorry, but that's MY personal opinion of your statement. Take a poll of how many people think the current situation is good and oil company executives and leaders of OPEC will more then likely be the only ones on the list with you. That's some pretty impressive company to be in, isn't it?
I can't see where anyone not reaping some type of staggering compensation from this fiasco could find a single shred of good in this. Guess it's pretty obvious how livid I am, huh? :swear:
Are you livid enough to go fight in our nation's wars borne of a foreign policy driven largely by oil concerns? Because that's exactly what many of us are doing - because you and many others demand cheap gas. You may think I'm absurd for taking gratification in seeing rising gas prices, but I say you are absurd for being satisfied with the status quo which results in me dodging bullets on battlefields year after year so you can have your cheap gas. I don't want high prices so executives can have compensation. I want high prices so we can eventually put them out of business for good. We will not see the motivation among our people/gov't/industries to solve this problem until we all feel significant pain. So like I said before, pay up and feel some pain. I certainly have been, and in your name. If you're not comfortable with the execs compensation, then sell your stock in their companies and start riding your bicycle. I put 3000 miles on my bike last year (a rare year in which I was not deployed for the duration).
It is not a basic "right" as a human being or as an American to have cheap gas. We will pay market rates for the luxury of fuel to burn. If the rates are prohibitive to a person, then the person needs to change lifestyle, as difficult as it may be. It is not a basic right to be able to live 60 miles from your workplace and commute in a low-MPG vehicle. Change jobs or move. It isn't easy and it isn't convenient but so what.
If you think you are powerless to do anything about it, it is only because you are unwilling to make the uncomfortable changes needed. Well, forgive me if that angers me. I've been plenty uncomfortable in recent years.
Our economy needs a massive overhaul to get off the dependancy. Vehicle consumption is only a tiny part of the issue. It can't happen all at once. But it won't even start to happen until we pay high prices for it, making the change a necessity.
As long as we are paying dirt cheap prices for fuel then people will remain ridiculously complacent.
Just my humble opinions on things. I've been wrong plenty of times before. I'm not trying to be confrontational. This is just a pet peeve of mine - and I think I've paid my dues to have a strong opinion about it.
cheers.
Exactly.
High gasoline prices are probably the only motivator that will result in our inventing of alternative means of transportation.
Ok, I feel bad about my posts now. One of the reasons I found this forum refreshing while researching my new PU, etc, is because it is mostly devoid of political types of bantering and other weighty issues, and now I am participating in just that. So I apologize, and I'll try to refrain on this issue now (no promises though! :) ).
Cheers.
Hey raptor - I know what you mean about the nature of this forum. And I agree with you about it.
However - don't feel bad. You're talking about what is probably the #1 most important issue of our era. We have to be able to solve it, or we're all toast.
OK - back to camping discussion now.
$3.01 at 7-eleven yesterday and still rising.
I have heard that Brazil does not import oil anymore because all vehicles there now run on pure ethanol which it produces from it's vast sugar crops....Anybody know anything about this?...
Quote from: Old GoatI have heard that Brazil does not import oil anymore because all vehicles there now run on pure ethanol which it produces from it's vast sugar crops....Anybody know anything about this?...
I'm not an expert on their situation, but I have read some about it. They still consume plenty of oil, but they have reduced it enough that they are a "net exporter" of oil. Meaning, they extract enough from the earth for their own use plus some.
They do indeed have a very aggressive and successful ethanol production. But they still consume plenty of oil. Even the production of ethanol requires oil consumption (if I understand it right - correct me if I'm wrong).
Either way, they have done well to put themselves in an enviable situation - for at least as long as their natural oil supplies last. :)
disclaimer - I got the info I mention from some dude called an "expert" on NPR. If he was wrong, then I'm wrong too. I'm assuming he knew what he was talking about.
Quote from: raptorI'm not an expert on their situation, but I have read some about it. They still consume plenty of oil, but they have reduced it enough that they are a "net exporter" of oil. Meaning, they extract enough from the earth for their own use plus some.
They do indeed have a very aggressive and successful ethanol production. But they still consume plenty of oil. Even the production of ethanol requires oil consumption (if I understand it right - correct me if I'm wrong).
If I remember the details right, they have to still start the vehicles on gasoline and then switch over to ethanol - which has always been one of the problems with the vaporization of the cold ethanol/methanols. So they have a starter tank and a fuel tank.
Ethanol itself is a pretty decent solution, as it doesn't eat fuel line components like methanol. Where we all lose with it, is that although it has the octane, it doesn't have the BTU content, which in short means that you get worse gas mileage. I think it is also burns invisibly, which isn't good if you have a vehicle fire.
In the States, ethanol production is subsidized, so it is probably about cost effective in production right now with these gas prices. I would be more than happy to run on M85 or other gasohol blends, IF I wasn't paying the same price as I would for pure gasoline. If I'm not going as far on a fillup, I don't think I should have to pay the same for less fuel mileage. Kind of the same logic as using racing gas in a lawn mower, it'll work, but you're just throwing dollars out of the tailpipe.
I do believe that if we continue to "prefer" spark ignition engines, ethanol production, use, and education will have to be beefed up tremendously. North America certainly has the capability to produce it in huge quantities, but it hasn't met the price point requirement, until now.
Quote from: BigJohnWhen gas prices change, unless the station got a same-day delivery, it is the same gas sitting in the ground as it was before prices change. It seems like buying day-old bread at new bread prices....it just doesn't make any sense to me.......JMHO :eyecrazy:
It's the way the supply system works. If they were to charge you for the "high" priced gas when it actually hit the pumps it could be weeks, or months, until they were able to jack up the price. Even though they have absolutely no rational to charge what they do now, at least you know why they are. If they were to do it months from now they wouldn't be able to justify it at all (not that they can now, but you get the idea).
Are you livid enough to go fight in our nation's wars borne of a foreign policy driven largely by oil concerns? Because that's exactly what many of us are doing - because you and many others demand cheap gas. You may think I'm absurd for taking gratification in seeing rising gas prices, but I say you are absurd for being satisfied with the status quo which results in me dodging bullets on battlefields year after year so you can have your cheap gas.
How on earth do you equate what's happening over seas to cheap gas for Americans? That whole thing was started in response to a terrorist action, not because we want cheap gas. When have the American people EVER gotten cut rate oil from Iraq or Afghanistan in exchange for our militaries assistance? You're definitely confusing two entirely different issues.
And don't blame me for anyone being over there. I sure as h#ll didn't vote for the oil sheik we have in office now, so it has absolutely nothing to do with me.
I don't want high prices so executives can have compensation. I want high prices so we can eventually put them out of business for good. We will not see the motivation among our people/gov't/industries to solve this problem until we all feel significant pain. So like I said before, pay up and feel some pain. I certainly have been, and in your name.
You've been doing nothing in my name. Personally, I don't feel we should be in either of those places right now.
And is destabilizing the entire US economy actually worth that to you? Let's hope not. Since the "recovery" started 2 years ago the economy has been extremely volatile. After 3 years of recession the LAST thing this country needs is for oil to bring it back down. And it's certainly a possibility, because for sure there is no part of anyone's life that doesn't get impacted by this in some significant manner.
If you're not comfortable with the execs compensation, then sell your stock in their companies and start riding your bicycle. I put 3000 miles on my bike last year (a rare year in which I was not deployed for the duration).
Sell my stock, now there's a statement. I doubt my 168 shares would really register with them. I might as well go shout in the forest. I'd get the same number of people to hear me.
And 3000 miles is about 6 weeks of commuting for me, so that's not a "statement" move either.
It is not a basic "right" as a human being or as an American to have cheap gas. We will pay market rates for the luxury of fuel to burn. If the rates are prohibitive to a person, then the person needs to change lifestyle, as difficult as it may be. It is not a basic right to be able to live 60 miles from your workplace and commute in a low-MPG vehicle. Change jobs or move. It isn't easy and it isn't convenient but so what.
I never claimed it was a basic right. I understand it's a privilege (sort of), but it's a privilege the public is currently being help hostage by. These oil companies are NOT suffering along with us, they're the ones making us suffer! And for there own narrow (personal?) interests, certainly not the stock holders.
If you think you are powerless to do anything about it, it is only because you are unwilling to make the uncomfortable changes needed. Well, forgive me if that angers me. I've been plenty uncomfortable in recent years.
But again, you're using one issue to argue another. What war, or "police action", has ever been about securing oil for this country? WWI or II? Korea? Vietnam? Gulf War I? None of them.
Please don't use your patriotism as a forum to make this appear as though it's something else. You aren't over there protecting the flow of oil, that's for darn sure.
Our economy needs a massive overhaul to get off the dependancy. Vehicle consumption is only a tiny part of the issue. It can't happen all at once. But it won't even start to happen until we pay high prices for it, making the change a necessity.
With the propensity of gas/electric hybrids on the road today, as well as vehicles that deactivate engine cylinders while cruising to reduce gas consumption, the shift has already begun to occur. If you realize that it can't happen all at once, like you say you do, then you already notice the shift occurring, and therefor have no reason to hope the economy gets crippled because of outlandish gas prices. That sounds like a bit of a contradiction if you ask me.
As long as we are paying dirt cheap prices for fuel then people will remain ridiculously complacent.
See previous answer.
Just my humble opinions on things. I've been wrong plenty of times before. I'm not trying to be confrontational. This is just a pet peeve of mine - and I think I've paid my dues to have a strong opinion about it.
No one has to "pay dues" in order to have an opinion. That's what our fore-fathers fought and died for, and what still occurs to this very day (although some of the conflicts today seem more about political or personal agendas then actual issues, but I digress). No one's voice is louder then another persons is. That's one of the most significant tenants this country was founded on!
Sorry, but to me it does seem as though you're being confrontational. I suspect that to you I come across in the same manner. Touche. The suffering this country did for those 3 miserable years of recession was mind boggling. To hear someone sounding as though they're wishing it to occur again, which this fuel crisis could potentially do, boils my blood. I'm just as much a patriot as the next guy, but the conflicts overseas have nothing whatsoever to with oil.
If you truly are over there then I say keep your head down and return home safe. But regardless, don't expect to find much sympathy with your viewpoints because I suspect you're in a very small minority with how you feel about certain things. Do we need to change? I certainly believe we do. Does the nation need to be devastated in order for that to happen? Absolutely not! The shift is already occurring, the momentum is building. Having gas prices that are crippling is only beneficial to a select few, and I somehow doubt it's any of us.
Alright, I'm done. I'll step down off my soap box now and leave this issue alone...
How on earth do you equate what's happening over seas to cheap gas for Americans? That whole thing was started in response to a terrorist action, not because we want cheap gas. When have the American people EVER gotten cut rate oil from Iraq or Afghanistan in exchange for our militaries assistance? You're definitely confusing two entirely different issues.
You honestly think our foreign policy is not hugely affected by oil concerns? I don't think we are in Iraq or Afghanistan solely for oil, but it is certainly a huge part of virtually every foreign policy decision - which includes wars. I have a pretty mature outlook on the Iraq situation. It's very complex, as we all know. It's not all about oil. It's about many things. It's also not all about terrorism or a response to 9/11. If I really thought everything I did was about oil then I wouldn't still be in uniform. BUT, there is no denying its definitive role in our foreign policy decisions.
You've been doing nothing in my name.
You are American no? Ask the good (and sometimes bad) people I come across in foreign lands if they think I represent you. Don't worry, I do my best to leave good impressions (honestly, it's important).
iAnd is destabilizing the entire US economy actually worth that to you? Let's hope not.
$3 dollar gas is not going to wreck the economy. It will cause people pain enough to rethink some things. Of course I wouldn't want the economy to be wrecked.
Sell my stock, now there's a statement. I doubt my 168 shares would really register with them. I might as well go shout in the forest. I'd get the same number of people to hear me.
Well, there are strengths in numbers of course. And there is something to be said for sticking to principles.
And 3000 miles is about 6 weeks of commuting for me, so that's not a "statement" move either.
Ok. Well, there are other options as well I guess. Carpool. Take public transpo. Get a job closer to your home. Get a home closer to your job. Or keep driving and pay for the luxury.
I never claimed it was a basic right. I understand it's a privilege (sort of), but it's a privilege the public is currently being help hostage by. These oil companies are NOT suffering along with us, they're the ones making us suffer! And for there own narrow (personal?) interests, certainly not the stock holders.
Maybe if we all rode our bikes or if we all sold our 168 shares they would notice? But you're right - they are probably happy with the "long-commute" option.
But again, you're using one issue to argue another. What war, or "police action", has ever been about securing oil for this country? WWI or II? Korea? Vietnam? Gulf War I? None of them.
Our modern foreign policy is not driven by oil concerns?
With the propensity of gas/electric hybrids on the road today, as well as vehicles that deactivate engine cylinders while cruising to reduce gas consumption, the shift has already begun to occur.
I agree. Don't you think higher gas prices have something to do with the shift you refer to? Would your neighbors who are driving a Prius be driving that Prius if gas was still $1 like it was in 98/99? Would Toyota make the Prius if your neighbors didn't want to buy one?
If you realize that it can't happen all at once, like you say you do, then you already notice the shift occurring, and therefor have no reason to hope the economy gets crippled because of outlandish gas prices.
Not sure $3 is outlandish. I've paid more than $5 before when I lived in Europe. I don't want the economy to cripple.
No one has to "pay dues" in order to have an opinion. That's what our fore-fathers fought and died for, and what still occurs to this very day (although some of the conflicts today seem more about political or personal agendas then actual issues, but I digress). No one's voice is louder then another persons is. That's one of the most significant tenants this country was founded on!
Completely agree. Well said. I wouldn't want to suggest otherwise (and apologize if I did). I'm just an average dude like anyone else. Well, except I do have a PU - that's pretty cool.
Sorry, but to me it does seem as though you're being confrontational. I suspect that to you I come across in the same manner. Touche. The suffering this country did for those 3 miserable years of recession was mind boggling. To hear someone sounding as though they're wishing it to occur again, which this fuel crisis could potentially do, boils my blood. I'm just as much a patriot as the next guy, but the conflicts overseas have nothing whatsoever to with oil.
With few exceptions, almost everything we (and all other large volume oil consuming nations) do overseas is in some way affected by oil. Our President even implicitly said this in the latest State of the Union. Obvious example: Russia and China are not taking a moderate approach towards Iran right now because they think it would be cool for Iran to have nuclear weapons. They simply need Iran's oil. There are reasons we want to forcefully promote peace and stability in the Middle East. And there are reasons we are willing to look the other way about the chaos and instability in other areas (Chad, Sudan, etc.). Oil is not the only of those reasons, but it's certainly a big one.
If you truly are over there then I say keep your head down and return home safe. But regardless, don't expect to find much sympathy with your viewpoints because I suspect you're in a very small minority with how you feel about certain things. Do we need to change? I certainly believe we do. Does the nation need to be devastated in order for that to happen? Absolutely not! The shift is already occurring, the momentum is building. Having gas prices that are crippling is only beneficial to a select few, and I somehow doubt it's any of us.
I'm not currently over anywhere. But I have been plenty and I will be again. I don't want any sympathy. I'm in this profession voluntarily. I'm not under any stop-loss at the moment, so I make my own bed and lay in it. No probs. I'm absolutely no better than anyone else or no more a patriot than people in thousands of professions. There are many noble paths thru a life, I just hope to be on one of them.
I am not advocating that our nation needs to be devastated. I simply think we need to feel some pain in our wallet over this issue because that is the only motivator that I think will work. Today's prices are getting uncomfortable, but I think that's what we need. I think you and I are actually disagreeing on very little.
The shift is occuring because of rising prices (in my opinion), and hybrids are not the answer anyway. They still consume. They change very little in the long run. But they are of course a step in the right direction.
Alright, I'm done. I'll step down off my soap box now and leave this issue alone...
let's go camping!
I filled my tank today and it cost me $53.00, Yikes..........Regular Unleaded is $2.89 and the Mid Grade is $2.99 and Premieum is $3.09 here in Vegas. This is really :swear: ..............Ed C.
Quote from: GrizzlyTacoI filled my tank today and it cost me $53.00, Yikes..........Regular Unleaded is $2.89 and the Mid Grade is $2.99 and Premieum is $3.09 here in Vegas. This is really :swear: ..............Ed C.
We just paid $3.05 for the regular grade tonight. Premium was $3.25 !!!:yikes:
FYI
Hi everyone just joined so I can respond to this thread. Hate to say my first post is sort of a rant :) My pet peeve on this subject is when I here someone say what the price of fuel is in another country other than the US. They don't really pay any more for a gallon of gas than we do, however their government feels it is necessary to tax the devil out of a gallon of fuel in their country and then we all have to hear how expensive gas is in that country. Look it up if you don't believe it. Oh by the way, what does all that tax money get used for in those other countries, free health care and other benefits for the residents???
garyk_52
We have thought about this gas situation along with many other things affecting our travel plans in the future. Bottom line, we aren't getting any younger. Mid 50's couple cutting the ties next spring or summer and going for 3 months. Nothing guaranteed when we get back, start over again, but we are going on our "trip of a lifetime" and doing it in our lifetimes. If you can get the time off, don't let the gas cost and bean counters pushing the gas prices up scare you away from taking the trip. If you 've never had the chance to see our great country, get out there and do it... theres some mighty fine people out there to meet.
Jim
Gas has jumped around here again. Now up to about $2.85.
Local station gives 5 cents off of Sundays. My day to fill up.
So it will be about $71.25 to fill the Silverado and about $31.35 to fill the Scion. 25 galloon tank and 11 gallon tank.
Silverado gets 14 to 16 (not towing) Scion XB gets 33 to 37 (can't tow). Guess which one gets driven the most?
And I remember being teed off the first time it cost me to $3.00 to fill up my 1968 VW Bug.
Quote from: GeneFAnd I remember being teed off the first time it cost me to $3.00 to fill up my 1968 VW Bug.
Yeah, I can relate (70 Bug in my case). Although I was living in DE at the time, I used to buy gas in MD because it was 2-3 cents cheaper, which ended up being a lotta money (comparatively) over the price of the tankfull.