Fuel Prices got you down?

[AMink]

Europe and most other places in the world have been (and still are) paying twice what we do for fuel.

This argument drives me nuts. Other places in the world are paying pennies for fuel, too. If we would use our own oil, we wouldn't give a hoot about what Saudi Arabia or Venezuela did with their prices. Yes, lots of Europeans walk. Of course, it's only a few hundred miles to the next country in Europe. In Nevada, it can be a few hundred miles to the next TOWN! Also, Europeans don't have near as many travel trailers etc. It ticks me off that I might not be able to take my kids on vacation and show them this country because government regulations, speculators, and envirowackoes seem to have a chokehold on the oil prices.



What bugs me more is that there are so many people who don't seem to understand (yet) that gas for their personal vehicles is a very small portion of the pinch. Food prices are going to run through the roof. Small towns that depend on tourists are going to have a horrible time keeping up. Wildlife will suffer because of the change in crop growth.



I have a least written to my senator, the embarrassing Harry Reid. We'll see what happens there. People laugh, but if enough people lower the write and let their thoughts be known, we'll be closer to seeing some good legislation than if we sit on our butts and complain about it on websites!:-laf

 

[JesseJ]

The Europe arguement is baloney. They have been paying higher prices for fuel for years because THEY'RE OUTRAGEOUSLY TAXED! On top of that, they don't have sprawling suburbs like we do in america, everything is in close, within a very small distance. Because everything is packed together so closely, their bus/rail mass transit systems are incredibly efficient and everyone uses them. Mass transit would work much better here if we weren't so spread out.



Amink, I'm sorry to hear your representative is Harry Reid. Look on the bright side, at least he's out in the open about his politics. My good ol R. I. N. O. Chuckie Hagel is worse than most of the democrats sometimes. Thank goodness the bum is gone in November!

 

[Tractorat]

Im afraid I have to disagree with at least most of your predictions

1. Community based resources: Most of those types of resources disappeared because they just couldnt compete. The big grocery stores (Safeway, QFC, etc) have too much buying power, and were able to reduce prices significantly. Also, with the population density we have now, there just wont be enough of the small stores to supply the demand. And the associated costs with coming on line, supporting the stores, supplying the stores would be astronomical. We've built our infrastructure to support the mobile society that we have to have to remain viable.



2. Yes, public transportation is becoming, and will become even more important. However, it will never supply the needs of this country. We dont have the infrasturcture now to support the massive pub trans, and to upgrade to something that might supply even 5% of what would be needed would be very expensive (huge increase in taxes that we cant afford, especially if you cant afford to drive to work)



3. As far as "right sizing your vehicle. There was an article on the yahoo news yesterday that said that trading in your 15mpg "gas guzzler" SUV may not be such a great idea (unless you were going to buy another car anyway because yours is worn out, or you just want to be "green"). They said that the break even point is 5 years out.



I drive a 1994 Chrysler Concorde with the 3. 5 engine. If I drive at right about 55-60mph, Im getting between 32 and 34 mph on the freeway driving to and from Portland Or from Seattle. Just driving around town, mixed driving, I get 18-22mpg average. The new "high mileage" cars (except for the hybrids) just arnt getting that much better mileage. And, most people just cant afford to just go out and buy a hybrid (see my above re 5 year break even). The monthly car payment and required insurance coverage on a financed car can buy a lot of gas.



As far as "right sizing your house" . Most of the housing infrastructure in this country has been already built. If you decide to sell your house to get into a smaller one, who is going to buy your bigger house ? And if everyone starts buying smaller houses, the price on those will go up.



4. Certainly snowmobiles and ATV's will become something of the past. But, people cant just work and do nothing else. People will still have boats. They may not use them as much, but they will still have them.



BTW, as fuel continues to climb, that fuel tank in your car or truck will become more and more of a target. It will be like leaving you wallet or ATM card out in your yard. If you can keep your vehicles in a garage, you might want to do that. But, if you're like me (2 cars in the garage, truck and 1 car outside) you will be vulnerable.



This is some very serious stuff happening here. We've been big enough to absorb things in the past because problems tended to be regional. The feds were able to come to the rescue. But, Im afraid that someone was asleep at the switch (again) and didnt sound the alarm when it was obvious that something was happening on wall street that would destroy our economy.

 

[RRees]

I think collectively, if we all voted this coming November (for representatives/senators), that we vote somebody new in, that it would sent a resounding message to the remainder of those politicians, that they need to listen to their constituents.



My motto this November 2008 - Election Day. "Who ever is in - is OUT!!!"



I have written to my senators and representative and I get in return is canned letter that was probably sent out to many more people.



So, I'm going to quite whining about it and VOTE them out!!!!

 

[JesseJ]

I agree! Vote the bums out! #@$%!

 

[AClayton]

Im afraid I have to disagree with at least most of your predictions

1. Community based resources: Most of those types of resources disappeared because they just couldnt compete. The big grocery stores (Safeway, QFC, etc) have too much buying power, and were able to reduce prices significantly. Also, with the population density we have now, there just wont be enough of the small stores to supply the demand. And the associated costs with coming on line, supporting the stores, supplying the stores would be astronomical. We've built our infrastructure to support the mobile society that we have to have to remain viable.



2. Yes, public transportation is becoming, and will become even more important. However, it will never supply the needs of this country. We dont have the infrasturcture now to support the massive pub trans, and to upgrade to something that might supply even 5% of what would be needed would be very expensive (huge increase in taxes that we cant afford, especially if you cant afford to drive to work)



3. As far as "right sizing your vehicle. There was an article on the yahoo news yesterday that said that trading in your 15mpg "gas guzzler" SUV may not be such a great idea (unless you were going to buy another car anyway because yours is worn out, or you just want to be "green"). They said that the break even point is 5 years out.



I drive a 1994 Chrysler Concorde with the 3. 5 engine. If I drive at right about 55-60mph, Im getting between 32 and 34 mph on the freeway driving to and from Portland Or from Seattle. Just driving around town, mixed driving, I get 18-22mpg average. The new "high mileage" cars (except for the hybrids) just arnt getting that much better mileage. And, most people just cant afford to just go out and buy a hybrid (see my above re 5 year break even). The monthly car payment and required insurance coverage on a financed car can buy a lot of gas.



As far as "right sizing your house" . Most of the housing infrastructure in this country has been already built. If you decide to sell your house to get into a smaller one, who is going to buy your bigger house ? And if everyone starts buying smaller houses, the price on those will go up.



4. Certainly snowmobiles and ATV's will become something of the past. But, people cant just work and do nothing else. People will still have boats. They may not use them as much, but they will still have them.



BTW, as fuel continues to climb, that fuel tank in your car or truck will become more and more of a target. It will be like leaving you wallet or ATM card out in your yard. If you can keep your vehicles in a garage, you might want to do that. But, if you're like me (2 cars in the garage, truck and 1 car outside) you will be vulnerable.



This is some very serious stuff happening here. We've been big enough to absorb things in the past because problems tended to be regional. The feds were able to come to the rescue. But, Im afraid that someone was asleep at the switch (again) and didnt sound the alarm when it was obvious that something was happening on wall street that would destroy our economy.

Everybody has seen Mad Max... . just what America will be like!I agree with you Tractorat.



Alan

 

[JLitton]

I also wrote to my Senators, Senator Robert Byrd, Senator Jay Rockefeller and Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito#@$%!. I realize my single letters won't change anything. BUT, at least I can live with my conscious knowing that I at least voiced my opinion and didn't just sit back and whine :{ about it. I am waiting for their return letters thanking me for my concern.

 

[AMink]

Here is the email I received back from Senator Reid. Renewable energy is great, but I can't put it in my truck TODAY. Diesel has gone up about . 10 in the last few days. Every . 10 increase is $3. 50 per tank when I'm empty. Next tank should put me in the $160 range. #@$%! I like the part where he says that even if ANWAR was opened, we wouldn't receive product until 2017. If we would have started drilling in 1994 when it was first shot down, we'd be using that oil NOW! When I write this same letter in 2017, they'll say it'll take until 2026 until we get product. Of course by then our economy will be so far in the hole we might not even be this country anymore!

Dear Mr. Mink:







Thank you for contacting me about domestic oil supplies. I appreciate hearing from you.







I agree that we need to dramatically reduce our nation's dependency on foreign oil and oil in general. As you may know, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting a national assessment of domestic petroleum basins. This study will provide a better understanding of our current domestic oil supplies. Additionally, the Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) announced in April 2007 a plan to expand offshore leases off of the coasts of Alaska and Virginia and in the Gulf of Mexico. MMS is proposing five-year leases for the exploration, drilling, and development of offshore oil and gas. For more information on these leases you may wish to visit the MMS website at: MMS Homepages



Although I strongly support reducing our dependence on oil, especially foreign oil, I believe that opening the Arctic Refuge to drilling would damage the area's environment without reducing our dependence on foreign oil or reducing the price of gasoline at the pump. According to the United States Geological Survey, the Arctic Refuge would supply less than six months of America's daily oil consumption. Furthermore, even if exploration and drilling began as early as this year, oil would not reach consumers until 2017 or later. The most optimistic estimates for the Arctic Refuge's related oil reserves would only reduce gas prices by one penny if sold in the Unites States. For these reasons, I believe that the United States should be focusing on long-term solutions to oil dependency, rather than a quick-fix that would have little benefit for consumers.







Even if oil companies were permitted to explore and drill for oil and gas on any federal land they wish, America would still be dependent on foreign oil. For this reason, I believe that investment and production of renewable energy and alternative fuels (and much greater efficiency) are the best and the inevitable solutions to our dependence on foreign oil and gas.







I am focusing on short and long term solutions that include expanding our use of renewable energy and alternative fuels. By supporting renewable energy development, improving federal energy policy and expanding tax incentives for renewable energy, thousands of jobs can be created throughout Nevada. This will help reduce pollution and promote greater energy independence, which is critical to our national, environmental and economic security. Only by aggressively introducing domestically produced clean alternative sources of energy, increasing energy efficiency of our vehicles, and making oil markets more transparent and competitive, will we achieve energy security.







Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.







My best wishes to you.







Sincerely,





HARRY REID



United States Senator



Nevada











HR:bb

 

[HBarlow]

If senator federal land conversion scumbag sent you his reply on soft, absorbent paper, preferable several sheets, you could put it to good use.

 

[AMink]

Unfortunately, it was electronically. The corners of my monitor are a little sharp!:-laf Although after paying what we do for fuel, my, umm, posterior should be a little tougher! Every fill up should come with a tube of KY!

 

[DZink24]

C'mon guys, seriously, do you really think we can change things at the voting booth? Not a chance. They are ALL called politicians for a reason, I don't care what party they are. They should hand out KY at the polling places.....



No, fuel prices don't have me down, considering what gas/diesel is and what it goes through to get to my local station, 4+ a gallon seems cheap actually... look, milk in many places comes from a cow literally in the next town over, and that is pushing $4 a gallon now also. Does the cost of #2 suck? Of course it does! but...



It is the waste and abuse of other governmental "assistance" programs that makes my teeth grind... #@$%!



I would gladly pay $10 a gallon if I knew that people actually had to get a job in order to eat, and were not getting a handout on my paycheck...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I would gladly pay $10 a gallon if I knew that people actually had to get a job in order to eat, and were not getting a handout on my paycheck...

The "need" for fuel to cost what it does is HIGHLY unlikely - but you may well GET to pay $10 a gallon, according to THIS:



Senators Warn Bill Could Spike Gas $1. 50 to $5 a Gallon



And, JEEZE how I HATE the steady stream of idiotic comparisons between diesel fuel and items like bottled water, whisky, beer, perfume - and a whole boatload of similar nonsensical, unrelated items!



NONE of those are consumed or NEEDED for daily tramsportation of goods and people, nor has the PRICE of any of them risen like fuel has in the same time span. Most here can easily get to work without beer or whisky - or even milk - but how many can do it without FUEL?

 

[Tractorat]

I truly envy you if you are so wealthy that you consider $4/gal to be cheap. And that you would be willing to pay $10/gal. Most people just cant afford that. Or the high prices of everything else that it makes go up.



But I agree with you in that we wont win at the voting booth. You have a choice of the lesser of 3 evils (soon to be the lesser of 2 evils). Im going to vote for the one that I think will do the least amount of damage while in office. Hillary is the only one that Ive heard mention that wall street and the speculators are the main problem for high energy costs. But, she didnt say what she would do. Im pretty conservative. And I really dont like Hillary at all. But if she knew the answer about how to handle wall street, and then was successful, Id vote for her.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

OH, and for some of the "energy cost" and Capitalism/free enterprise supporters who love to pop up and suggest uncontrolled upward price spiral of consumer fuel cost is a "good" thing - and also assert that the USA has the highest standard of living in the world - here's another eye-opener:



The average UK salary is now £31,290 per the average US salary is $36,764. Does this worry you? - Yahoo! Answers



And:



Response Source | Press Releases - The average advertised UK salary is £31,290 a year | Journalist enquiries, press releases and more!



And:



Economic Report: U. K. Average Salary Surpasses U. S. - 01/08/08 | Workers Independent News



IF the "average" USA worker made an additional nearly $28,000 per year in comparable buying power, compared to the UK, maybe $5 per gallon fuel would be easier to take...



AND, for those who will say UK citizens live in smaller houses, and drive smaller cars - have you looked around recently, and seen where OUR housing and auto buying is headed...

 

[SHughes]

I remember when the pound and the Dollar were about even and the Danadian Dollar was pretty much useless (sorry guys). Now the Canadian and US Dollars are about even and the Dollar is half of a British Pound.



Gas prices and our ever declining economy won't change untill we elect two NEW parties into office. The time of Republicams and Democrats need to come to an end. New ideals and thought processes are what is needed, not the same old alliegences to outdated ideology!

 

[KnightR]

Like my old pappy said and he was born in the last Century. Your either the f----ee or the f---er. Has'nt changed.

 

[duckcarvr]

i do not see how voting the right person in office could effect world oil prices. does the goverment have the authority or power to control legal business practices. i dont think so or it wouldn't it have to apply to all businesses, mc donalds, sears, costco ect. someone mentioned that the UK wages are a lot higher and i believe that is true but on 5-2-08 uk was paying $8. 38 a gallon. according to the news last night 44 countrys are paying more for fuel than us. the oil companies used to get subsides and big tax breaks for exploration, i hope that is no longer. i think fuel will come down because as our ecomy falls so will the use of fuel. I havent driven my truck in months. and i dont think it will be just felt here but world wide. . the news said whem it falls the speculaters will drop out because the risk in buying and then having to sell lower would be too high. that will cause prices to come down also. the time table on this is whats scary and how bad will it hurt us before it gets here?

 

[TboneMan]

The amazing part of all of this is these "experts" can't agree on what is really happening.





If it Index funds (pensions, endowments, etc. ) are the cause of this, you'd think their managers would realize that the real life impact of what they are doing significantly depreciates their overall position.



High crude prices = high fuel prices

High fuel price = inflation pressure on all goods

High fuel price = less driving or reallocation of cash

Few things purchased = companies don't make money

Companies don't make money = companies close

Companies close = no need for pension

Companies close = no one to donate to the endowment funds



It is a big circle these institutions should avoid in my opinion.

 

[AMink]

i do not see how voting the right person in office could effect world oil prices

Voting the right people in office would absolutely affect oil prices. If oil companies were allowed to build more refineries and drill more in this country, the world market would have to drop prices to continue to sell product. It's more a matter of being energy self-sufficient as a country than congress "telling" companies what to charge. By getting rid of some of the ridiculous rules holding companies back, competition will become greater.

 

[TFucili]

If it Index funds (pensions, endowments, etc. ) are the cause of this, you'd think their managers would realize that the real life impact of what they are doing significantly depreciates their overall position.

Why worry when Uncle Sam and the Fed will bail them out of their stupidity!

I'd sure like to have someone bail me out when I make a bad decision. Hasn't happened yet



I posted a link in a different thread where an analyst said that the investment speculators(call them whatever you wish)are moving so much capital that they are subverting normal market forces.