Re: Politics, Environment and Rising Fuel Costs

Josh,

I think we're in agreement on nearly every single point, more or less. Whatcha doing for the next 50 years or so? Have any skeletons in the closet we need to worry about before running together?

Unfortunately, we are in a position where we have to not only fix the problems of today, but also try to prepare for tomorrow. IMHO, we're not doing well on either count. No one talks about what we really need to do: price gouging laws with teeth. Exxon Mobil made $40.6 billion in 2007. Shocked? Not really. Look at the price of gas. Want to ease the burden on Americans? Kick Detroit in the ass to get cranking out cars with better fuel efficiency. Mandate it. Make solar panels mandatory on new construction homes. Take the federal and state gas tax from the corporations based on the gallons they sell, not from the consumer.

I'm right there with you on the media. It's painfully obvious which way each of the networks skew. And even though I listen to Keith Olbermann, I know I need to filter everything coming out of his mouth for "left bias" just like I need to filter FOX News for "right bias." An impartial and independent media is what was supposed to keep the government in check. Our current media, consolidated to a few owners, isn't either of those things. And Rupert Murdoch is trying to buy Newsday proves the point.

(The government anti-trust laws are useless when the people in charge are partisan hacks. Just look at the FCC, biggest bunch of posers I've ever seen.)

Skyhawk,

I have a Dodge Neon. Roughly 10 gallons. With gas sitting at $3.69 (this morning's price in MI), that runs a minimum of $36.90 to fill up. I need to fill up once a week. That's $147 (roughly speaking) every month, not including the oil changes, maintenance and insurance. I'm lucky I'm in a position where housing and utilities aren't an issue. I also make a decent enough salary. For people working the minimum wage jobs and trying to get by, $147 or more can be devastating.

Jason, feeling smart

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Skyhawk it's not like it's any different here in Canada...give the poor Yanks a break.

Although Canada is probably closest in vehicle size and types driven, there is still a difference IMO - just not a huge one like many other countries. Also Canadian cities typically have a public transportation systems that provide service into the "rich" outer suburbs, and everyday commuting via public transportation seems to be more accepted and have less of a "loser/low class" stigma than within most US cities (not counting NYC).

Most Canadians are pretty used to catching the morning express bus on the nearest corner of their suburban street and seeing everyone carrying laptops and wearing suites. It's different in most American cities.

A disturbing trend I noticed many years ago is the adoption of gated communities in spreading suburban areas spaced around like farms (I've lived in more than one in the USA). They are typically not serviced by public transportation, and you have to get into your car and drive a distance just to rent a movie or buy a can of coke.

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For people working the minimum wage jobs and trying to get by, $147 or more can be devastating.

I know few people who make minimum wage and drive 400 miles per week (700 miles with an even more fuel efficient vehicle). To be honest, I know few if any minimum wage earners or welfare recipients who actually can afford a car since fuel is only one cost involved. There is also insurance, payments or initial cost, licensing, and maintenence). The extremely poor should consider public transportation, or if unavailable car pooling if they need/desire to travel such distances instead.

And Jason, weren't you the one being concerned about the environmental effects and price of gas? Yet you burn 10 gallons a week all by your lonesome, which equates to you contributing 200 pounds of CO2 gas to the atmosphere each and every week (over 10,000 pounds per year) just in your driving - not even counting the CO2 you contribute through electricity use, heating, etc. And whining about gas prices isn't really fair, when your high demand for this commodity contributes in part drives pump prices. Sometimes it's best to start by looking in your own backyard!

[Post edited by Skyhawk on Apr 23, 2008]

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The extremely poor should consider public transportation, or if unavailable car pooling if they need/desire to travel such distances instead.

We should all consider public transportation and push for it. A monorail system can link cities and run on something other than gas, for instance. Problem is the oil companies have every single politician in their pockets. That's why no one is willing to do jack shit about our reliance on oil. They make great signs and statements about it, but no material changes. Until we do, we're screwed.

Jason, pro-metro

I now live in Alberta, Canada, and I can't believe how many baffoons drive SUV's and big trucks. Only if people knew how much CO2 and CO one of those trucks are throwing into the atmosphere! The government should had out tax breaks, or rebate cheques for people that drive fuel efficient vehicles! Never mind how many little prissy wives drive Hummers... It is sickening!

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The government should had out tax breaks, or rebate cheques for people that drive fuel efficient vehicles!

They have been, for awhile now. And rebates start at like $1000, and much more (forget how much) if you buy a hybrid. And if you buy a gas guzzler, you get dinged a "fuel charge". Not sure how much that is, but when I bought my Rubicon is was a few hundred bucks.

I LOVE WHAT I AM READING.

I HOPE YOU ALL BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU TYPE.


oh btw. did i mention the fact that NEONS RULE?

[Post edited by bladerunner1 on Apr 23, 2008]

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Nachtkriechen, no offence but anyone who is so poor that gas takes such a high proportion of their total income that even a doubling of gas prices would cause then to starve shouldn't have their own vehicle to begin with. And last time I visited down there, I saw very few people with small fuel efficient cars there in proportion to EVERY other country I've ever visited. Heck, the poorer people were driving big honkers too - only they were old and rusty!

Hawk,

Didn't you say your wife has a 2002 Jeep Liberty? Consumer reports gave it a top pick for that year, but the main drawback was . . . gas milage!

Tim (just catchin' the hipo's)

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oh btw. did i mention the fact that NEONS RULE?

No, but isn't Charlton Heston dead?

I would be shocked if gas prices continue to raise, and we don't do anything. I believe that by gas prices going higher, will make us look for alternative fuels.

But back again to the environment, there have been many things we could be doing, like treating saltwater so that we can use it on our everyday tasks...or making sure that buildings are fuel efficient (and like said above, have solar panels) or can produce at least 25% of its energy by sun or wind...or (like also above) having a realiable transportation system...why is it that hundreds of millions of people around the world use it and us fat-asses don't? OH, nevermind ...

What can we do? Plant trees...which need water (oops)...carpool (which people don't like)...demand a mass transit system (more diesel, oops)...buy electric cars which need electricity that you can plug in your home...which in turn comes from coal plants (double oops)...buy carbon credits which only mean you pay other people to stop their production (oops, you don't do anything)...eliminate plastic bags...buy a wind generator for your house (which would be the coolest thing ever to have in our homes, even way cooler than an HDTV, and I'm not being sarcastic), or solar panels...and get tax credits for it...oh, and kick the government's butt so that legislators get their fat-asses moving...and kick out the republicans from the white house...and get Hillary in (hey, don't hate)...