Fuel Price Perspective?

[Jason's Auto Spa]

I'd rather pay $4.50...
- To travel 15 miles
- To comfortably sit in an air conditioned vehicle
- To listen to whatever music I choose
- To get where I need to be in mere minutes

Or I could pay $0.00...
- Walk for 15 miles
- On an 85*F day, sweating profusely
- No music
- It'll take 5 hours of walking to get there
- It'll take me another five hours to get home
- How much will I spend on water to rehydrate myself? :biggrin
- Walking next to cars traveling 40+ MPH

I don't think we have it bad. Granted I don't like paying more, but overall for where I can go with a car, how fast I can get there, and how convenient and comfortable it is - $4.50 is well worth it. Now if I could only tell that minivan to move over on the one lane road because I'm tired of doing ten under to save 1 MPG :bored I'm not trying to say $4.50 isn't a lot of money, it is what it is, but what I get out of it is seriously and very easily worth it to me. Any other thoughts on this? Every time I hear about gas prices I always think this to myself and it thought it would be interesting to share because I've never heard people talk about the positive side...Just complaining :thumbsdow

 

[Empty Pockets]

I'd rather pay $4.50...
- To travel 15 miles
- To comfortably sit in an air conditioned vehicle
- To listen to whatever music I choose
- To get where I need to be in mere minutes

Or I could pay $0.00...
- Walk for 15 miles
- On an 85*F day, sweating profusely
- No music
- It'll take 5 hours of walking to get there
- It'll take me another five hours to get home
- How much will I spend on water to rehydrate myself? :biggrin
- Walking next to cars traveling 40+ MPH

I don't think we have it bad. Granted I don't like paying more, but overall for where I can go with a car, how fast I can get there, and how convenient and comfortable it is - $4.50 is well worth it. Now if I could only tell that minivan to move over on the one lane road because I'm tired of doing ten under to save 1 MPG :bored I'm not trying to say $4.50 isn't a lot of money, it is what it is, but what I get out of it is seriously and very easily worth it to me. Any other thoughts on this? Every time I hear about gas prices I always think this to myself and it thought it would be interesting to share because I've never heard people talk about the positive side...Just complaining :thumbsdow

You're forgeting that $4.50 could EASILY become $10.00 - OR A LOT MORE - if the wrong person sneezed. And the fact that not EVERYBODY can afford gas now, let alone if it gets anywhere NEAR $10.

Besides that - look what $4.50 gas has done to the economy now.:ack (YES. There are other contributing factors ...but still...)

 

[S592R]

You're forgeting that $4.50 could EASILY become $10.00 - OR A LOT MORE - if the wrong person sneezed. And the fact that not EVERYBODY can afford gas now, let alone if it gets anywhere NEAR $10.

Besides that - look what $4.50 gas has done to the economy now.:ack (YES. There are other contributing factors ...but still...)

$4.50 gas means $5.25 diesel which means milk is $4.75 a gallon, meat (the cheap stuff) goes to 5.75 a pound and that pizza that use to be $6.99 delivered is now $12.50. For every $.50 a gallon gas goes up you lose $1.25 spending power. So on one hand I agree that its nicer to drive than to walk but I really would rather not have to worry that a growing majority of the people in this country have to chose if they eat tonight because gas is artificially inflated. It use to be that some retiree's worried about food or medicines now this winter its going to be a trifecta warmth, food or medicine.

Remember the first freeze of the year is only 90 to 100 days away. :ack

 

[Empty Pockets]

$4.50 gas means $5.25 diesel which means milk is $4.75 a gallon, meat (the cheap stuff) goes to 5.75 a pound and that pizza that use to be $6.99 delivered is now $12.50. For every $.50 a gallon gas goes up you lose $1.25 spending power. So on one hand I agree that its nicer to drive than to walk but I really would rather not have to worry that a growing majority of the people in this country have to chose if they eat tonight because gas is artificially inflated. It use to be that some retiree's worried about food or medicines now this winter its going to be a trifecta warmth, food or medicine.

Remember the first freeze of the year is only 90 to 100 days away. :ack

'Zactly. That's what I ment by, "... look what $4.50 gas has done to the economy now."

 

[Jason's Auto Spa]

Point taken, I still believe we have it really good in America regardless of the $1.25 less spending power every $0.50 in gas. We have a lot of wonderful freedoms and opportunities here that aren't available in other countries that we take for granted and never think about. Maybe it's the purchase priorities and the desire to complain about anything just to occupy the mind? It was the woman filling up the tank in her Lexus today complaining that "You have to be rich to afford these gas prices" that drove me to question what I've been thinking.

 

[S592R]

Yes we do have it better in America than many over the world. But our country is the most dependent on oil due to poor leadership which prevented an energy plan and all but killed our rail based mass transit/shipping system leaving us vulnerable to "economic terrorism". I guess EP and I look at this from a tactical situation due to our pasts. Today I was fortunate enough to spend a full day on a military post. It was sad that the post was inundated with civilian workers ... sad? yes, the military seems unable to operate without civilian contractors. Which is just wrong ... most don't remember that military engineers built most of the initial infrastructure in this country.. rail, road and yes even petroleum... today the grounds are not even cut by each command on base but a crew of civilians. why? so our troops can train for war... was the bill of goods we where sold. Today I saw soldiers at 1300 sitting on a curb smoking cigarettes waiting for 1600 so they could get off "work".

How does this tie into oil? simply ... bad management and parasitic elected officials trying to wring every cent they can out of the system. America use to be nimble, resilient, and quick to act .... we became the arsenal of democracy due to our ability to think and act quickly without waste. I am afraid in our haste to be comfortable many of us Americans have forgotten what it is like to be diligent and vigilent....

We need both to get off foreign oil and to regain a leadership position in this rough and tumble world. I for one am tired of our nation pouring American Dollars into other peoples country's whether it is for energy or aid when we are dropping the ball here at home. ... it smells of hypocracy.

 

[skyrex]

Last weekend when I was in Vegas we hit a couple of our regular spots where we know the bartenders and staff really well and when we asked how things were going the universal answer was slow. I got three extended dissertations about the lack of people driving in from California, the airlines reducing flights into Vegas and the fact that people are vacationing less this year.

Now if this gas situation causes this kind of passionate discussion among the Sin City bartenders how much worse do you think it is for the average joe in middle America. As mentioned above higher fuel cost effects everything that we do. Do you like cheap airfares? Low freight costs for your business? Listen, I know I am lucky to be in a pretty good spot right now. But 7 years ago I was a full-time skydiver worrying about the skies being shut down after 9/11 and wondering when I was going to be able to go back to work. Events have a ripple effect that most people can not see because it is not relevant to their day to day lives.

This is not a bad thing...it just is how we live. For me my old life is still close enough to my current one that I know this gas thing would be screwing me up big time if I had a normal income. And yeah, that kind of stuff concerns me a bit.

 

[Empty Pockets]

"Last weekend when I was in Vegas we hit a couple of our regular spots where we know the bartenders and staff really well and when we asked how things were going the universal answer was SLOW." - skyrex


Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... 'Not the first time I've heard 'Vegas was in a pinch like everywhere else. I understand there arn't as many "whales" showing up either - nor are the whales who ARE spending as freely. (Lottza construction on hold too, blah, blah, blah...)

This gets me to wonder how it is, then, that The Wynn's raised it's room rates (for the end of Sept) by $200 bucks a night? Mebbe 'making up for lost booking revenue by charging those who are coming MORE to make up the difference???

If so, it didn't work in my case! ( Can you say, "Helloooooooooo, Mirage!"?) I love The Wynn - but, I ain't gunna pay that kinda hike just to prove I can. If I'm gunna pay out an extra $200 a night - it'll be in the casino where I have a snowball's chance of getting summa the 'munny' BACK by financing the wifey's play at the slots! :lol


Extreemly Tight Pockets

 

[Kingman]

.............. It was sad that the post was inundated with civilian workers ... sad? yes, the military seems unable to operate without civilian contractors. Which is just wrong ... most don't remember that military engineers built most of the initial infrastructure in this country.. rail, road and yes even petroleum... today the grounds are not even cut by each command on base but a crew of civilians. why? so our troops can train for war... was the bill of goods we where sold. Today I saw soldiers at 1300 sitting on a curb smoking cigarettes waiting for 1600 so they could get off "work"................. I for one am tired of our nation pouring American Dollars into other peoples country's whether it is for energy or aid when we are dropping the ball here at home. ... it smells of hypocracy.

Part of the reason for civilian workers is to reduce pension committments and as you state, more enlisted bodies dedicated to the war effort. Once a person becomes an 'employee' of the gov't, you can't get rid of them, no matter what they do or don't produce. With a gov't contractor, it is much easier to 'balance' your work force.....and the worker won't be like every DMV employee you come across.

Regarding your comment of America pouring Dollars into foriegn countries - I am very happy that the Air Force was forced to pull back their tanker award. It astounded me that they would even consider funding a foriegn, state supported consortium. With this contract, they could have crippled Boeing for years to come.

 

[S592R]

Regarding your comment of America pouring Dollars into foriegn countries - I am very happy that the Air Force was forced to pull back their tanker award. It astounded me that they would even consider funding a foriegn, state supported consortium. With this contract, they could have crippled Boeing for years to come.

agreed :thumbsup

 

[Empty Pockets]

Yes we do have it better in America than many over the world. But our country is the most dependent on oil due to poor leadership which prevented an energy plan...

...We need both to get off foreign oil and to regain a leadership position in this rough and tumble world. I for one am tired of our nation pouring American Dollars into other peoples country's whether it is for energy or aid when we are dropping the ball here at home. ... it smells of hypocracy.

And here's an example of WHY we're having a rough go of getting OFF foreign oil. This (in part) is the reason a judge wouldn't allow an oil exploration hole near a 'park boundary:

"But the judge ruled the Forest Service didn't consider how degrading the area could harm tourism, and said the agency did a "woefully inadequate" job of EVALUATING HOW THE DRILLING MIGHT EFFECT THE KIRTLAND'S WARBLER, an endangered songbird that nests in the area."


Just shoot me...:bored

 

[djs]

Hypocrisy from the CAVES (Citizens Against Virtually Everything, also known as NIMBYs-Not In My Back Yard) as pointed out by Victor Davis Hanson...

And You Won’t Read This Either

That the World’s Saint, Mr. Gore, who lectures on carbon emissions and green behavior, built an ecological monstrosity of a castle that gulps energy at gargantuan rates; while the world’s villain, George Bush, built an eco-friendly, far more modest house that uses a fourth less power than the average home. But then when one compares the Kerry homes, the Edwards playhouse, and all the other liberal mansions, it makes sense. Modern liberalism for our elites is really a psychological state, in which an individual crafts an all-encompassing worldview in the abstract to offset a rather materialistic and self-centered desire in the concrete. Here in California Sens. Boxer and Feinstein, and Rep Pelosi live like the privileged they are, while decrying the plight of the less fortunate. Someone who forbids drilling in ANWR rarely decides to down-size her home. A Senator Dodd who rails at the mortgage lenders’ greed has no problem taking a cut-rate loan from them — if it is a question of buying appropriate homes for his sixty-something efforts at establishing a young family. Hypocrisy is a human, not a political sin per se, but something about the combination of neo-socialist politics and extremely elite personal tastes suggests that there is a direct rather than an accidental connection — in the mind at least the former making possible the latter.

 

[B O N Y]

VICTOR DAVIS HANSEN is the pride of our Valley. One of the great minds, we are fortunate that we get to hear him speak on a regular basis. Thanks for your post.

 

[STUNTS]

I did a quick equation for a friend who inquired about budgeting for gas... as far as our home goes... based on two cars totaling 42K miles a year... this doesn't include boat and toys perfectly but I just rounded up to the nearest $1000..

In 1.5 years, we went from spending approx. $6,000 a year in gas to $11,000 at the current rate which is increasing weekly

This basic analysis doesn't show the increase in everything else we buy that has gone up because of gas prices.... but to stay with the norm.... and please correct me because I'm sure my numbers are off on the up-coming figures.... but....

FACT.....My gas cost has gone up %83.333333

Now I know that the rest of consumer products haven't increased by %83.33333 but what is fair to say hear? %30-%40 :confused For being nice here, lets say %20 (that should be low enough for arguements sake)

With trying to keep it short and knowing someone else will analyze this with better info.... GAS @ %83 and the rest of consumer PRODUCTS @ %20 is an average increase in %51.666

I know I'm not making %51 more than last year (wish I was) and a mojority of working class isn't....

But who is/has BIG OIL has

enough said

 

[scode]

Yesterday I was debating buying one gallon of gas or one share of Ford stock.

Amazing!

 

[Cobrar]

Yesterday I was debating buying one gallon of gas or one share of Ford stock.

Amazing!

Keith,

Go with the F stock, there is some residual potential for upside. Meanwhile, try to convince the new car porter that the 5 gallon gas can is for a customer car.... :biggrin

 

[scode]

Keith,

Go with the F stock, there is some residual potential for upside. Meanwhile, try to convince the new car porter that the 5 gallon gas can is for a customer car.... :biggrin

Thanks Rex. As of right now F stock up 71 cents per share:thumbsup

Keith

 

[djs]

Vdh

VDH ought to be running the State Dept., but he's no bureaucrat. If you want to read a really good, but irritating, book on the illegal immigration issue, pick up Mexifornia.

 

[B O N Y]

can't tell you how many copies I have given away of that tittle, plus many of his others...

 

[B O N Y]

scode.... market up 271 so far, it figures I shorted oil today...




More truthful than anything I have read in a long time.

The Indian and His Buffalo .

An Indian walks into a cafe with a shotgun in one hand pulling a male
buffalo with the other.

He says to the waiter:

'Want coffee.'

The waiter says,'Sure, Chief. coming right up.'

He gets the Indian a tall mug of coffee.

The Indian drinks the coffee down in one gulp,

Turns and blasts the buffalo with the shotgun,
causing parts of the animal to splatter everywhere
and then just walks out.

The next morning the Indian returns.

He has his shotgun in one hand, pul ling another male
buffalo with the other.

He walks up to the counter and says to the waiter:

'Want coffee .'

The waiter says 'Whoa, Tonto! We're still cleaning up
your mess from yesterday.

What was all that about, anyway?'

The Indian smiles and proudly says...

'Training for position in United States Congress:
Come in, drink coffee, shoot the bull, Leave mess
for others to clean up, disappear for rest of day.