Higher Gas Prices, Deal with it!
Hey, the price of gas in Beverly Hills is $4.049/gallon. In some places in the country, the price at the pump may exceed $4.50. There are reported gas shortages along the east coast. Oil prices are hitting highs this week, staying a bit above $72/barrel.
Cleveland is ranging from $2.69 to $2.86 per gallon. Should we really act so upset about this?
Everyone, including me, remembers about the time when gas only cost $0.99. We all loved that zero in front of that price sign. Then we got used to seeing a $1.xx for a while. Last summer, we complained when we started seeing $2.xx, but then the West Coast was seeing $3.xx, so we thought we weren't doing that bad. This year, we will see $3.xx, and in a few places, $4.xx. All I can say now is "deal with it!"
We cannot take low gas prices for granted anymore. The days of enjoying a glut in oil supplies is no longer there. Oil companies, world tension in the Middle East, limited refineries, and other factors have all attributed to the current situation we are in.
Here's a common sense question: at the current technological stage we are in, auto companies have the ability to produce cars that can use up to 30-40 miles in fuel economy, or perhaps 60 miles per gallon. We knew that oil is going to be a precious commodity in the future, why haven't we started improving our fuel economy standards? People say it would drive up the costs for building the car...bullshit. People say it will result in smaller-sized vehicles with less safety...bullshit. People say it cannot be done...complete and utter bullshit.
Now with consumers reacting badly to higher gas prices, automakers are now working on improved fuel-economic vehicles, hybrids, electrics, and so on. Isn't it possible to see that if I had a car with 2-3 times longer driving range, I can do more. I can drive my car to breakfast at a local diner, then shop at a mall nearby, buy some stuff from Home Depot, then drop everything at home, and drive all the way to NYC for some dinner and partying. All of this on one tank of gas. It would actually increase consumer spending, not reduce it.
All, by the way, Europeans are dealing with paying about $5-6 dollars per gallon, so Americans complaining about $3-4 dollars per gallon should just shut up and sit down.
Comments
Posted by: Brian Gray
Posted on: April 21, 2006 12:11 PM
I think some are complaining, but most are just accepting it. My drive in the mornings is not getting less crowded, nor do I see any additional cars with more than one person in them. These are both items that can be controlled by individuals and little change has occurred, so I guess we have not reached our breaking point on gas yet.I have spoken to some people in the auto industry and the focus groups, sales numbers, etc, still show Americans prefer power & size over efficiency. In general, we have given no indication to the auto or gas industry that we will not keep supporting the higher prices.I think it just is the American way. We get a taste of something and will do everything in our power to keep from losing it. I do not smoke, but am amazed by what people still pay to smoke.
Posted by: Erin
Posted on: May 31, 2007 09:18 AM
I think gas prices are out ragouse! I know I am a young teenage girl in this society but I am barley making it. What kinda of person wants to only drive where they have to...for example to school,work or to get food. These things vary in everyones day to day life but stop and think about what you did and where you went about a year ago. Chnaces are it was a few more items on your list then what it is now. I know I have not had as much exsperience in life as some but imagine a 17 going on 18 year old, full time student part time job. My pay check covers gas and some of my car payment. Un-like these other teens who get money handed to them by their parents to go to the movies, shopping or just drive around town all day with their friends. I have to pay for my cell phone, gas, car payment and car insurenece. My parents can't afford to even put food in the house. I take pop bottles back just to be able to get something off the dollar menu. I have no money to call a friend and go to the movies or anything. I cant even afford to get new clothes when i need them or shoes. Around Feb. I lost my job because they didn't want more part-time workers then full-time. So now I have barley enough gas to go to school everyday, buy things I need, or pay for things for my car. My car needs new roaters, struts, brakes, breake pads and air condisioner but cant get any of it fixed because money in my house hold is more then a shortage. Money would not be such an issue if people didn't have to put most of it in their gas tank. yes I know they make cars 30-40 miles per gallon, but what about the average american who can not afford a new car? Stop thinking about yourself Bush and think about your people in your country, there for they are the ones who voted you in office to support and help our country. I am going to be a voter come June and is Bush could be re-elected I would say NO with out even thinking. Stop and think Americans, what has he really done for us?
Posted by: j woo
Posted on: December 28, 2007 04:36 PM
I totally agree about the fuel economy standards...btw gas cost 12 cents per gallon in Venezuela!! I gotta move there for sure!
But for now there doesnt seem that much we can do in th US, at least in the short term unless you boycott Exxon and Mobil gas stations and only fill up at the non branded places ...Erin, i hear u about ur car--You could also try upgrading your car's parts for better performance...i tried one of those air filters, but not sure if it helps any for mpg :( I'd wait on the rotors though...
Posted by: Brian Gray
Posted on: December 28, 2007 06:35 PM
The non-branded gas stations buy their gas from the big players, so a boycott would not accomplish the outcomes you expect.
Posted by: Poh Ee
Posted on: February 17, 2008 11:25 PM
In my country-Malaysia, oil price is fixed at RM1.92/USD0.60 / Litle which is relative cheap. Unfortunately, our living cost is high here. Very hard for student like us to feed a car here :(
Posted by: Chris
Posted on: March 16, 2008 07:15 AM
Although it's about $2.30/gallon in my country, our car prices are insanely doubled or tripled. For eg, It costs us $37,000 to buy a Honda Civic.
Posted by: Bill
Posted on: April 23, 2008 09:31 PM
Deal with it? Sure, I forgot this was Nazi Germany. We are just being taken advantage of. The oil co's, refiners and government know that morons like the guy who posted this will just 'deal with it'. Who cares what the hell other countries are paying, we should be paying what it costs for the crude, and a flat fee on tax and refining. Not 32% more on top of the cost of crude. If the cost of crude goes up 50 cents tomorrow, the pump will go up 66 cents. Why should anyone deal with THAT? You fucking idiot.
Posted by: James (Author)
Posted on: April 23, 2008 10:24 PM
The point of the argument is that we should not expect the days of paying gas for less than a dollar per gallon.
Of course, nowadays, our falling dollar is causing oil prices to skyrocket because they are priced in dollars. You can blame the oil companies and what not, but tell me how much we should pay for a gallon of gas? $2? $3? Or less than a buck?
We should definitely care what other countries are paying. Do you think it's only the United States all alone with this problem? Can't you see the big picture?
Posted by:
Posted on: April 24, 2008 06:33 AM
Bill your comments are uncalled for and just plain nasty. To compare this situation to Nazi Germany is a major insult to all Jewish and other that suffered at the hands of the Nazis. This is nothing like how people were treated by the Nazis.
You have to deal with it because fuel is provided by private companies and not the government. The price is set by demand. Also, it is not just the cost of crude that controls the costs. Utilities and other chemicals used in processing, plus the cost of transportation, also adds to the costs of fuel. Your argument only makes sense if the US owned all their own crude costs and the crude went right into our tank with no processing.
Posted by: Save Gas
Posted on: June 8, 2008 08:44 PM
Prices will not go down ever. These are not free market principles, they are governements overlapped with multi-nationals who are subsidized and purposely manipulating the price of oil and controling refinement of it. People need to understand that if we had free markets we would have many energy options and consumers can chose what they want, including free energy.
Posted by: Kevin
Posted on: June 21, 2008 07:20 PM
There are tons of things that can be done to increase fuel economy to help beat the cost of driving back down to 'affordable'. Check out this article: 12 easy and inexpensive ways to improve your fuel economy. It has some real valueable information in it.
Posted by: Mark A Briody - Gas and Fuel
Posted on: July 9, 2008 09:13 AM
I totally agree with the comments regarding the controlled pricing by the governments... there is so much evidence that proves this to be true. Not just with them controlling gas and fuel prices either but it even goes into common law, income tax, corporation's law and admiralty law.
It's all about control and people are starting to realise this but know not where to turn at this stage.
When it comes to saving fuel and gas I also agree with some comments where there are tons of ways to save. I and a very good friend of mine (John) have been researching the gas industry thoroughly listing a number of free gas saving tips on a world wide website.
Anyone can learn the free tips found at www.FreeFuelSavingTips.com very easily. For now this is just one way to stay on top of things we can't control unlike the controlling world governments do while holding us at ransom.
Posted by: Ed
Posted on: July 23, 2008 12:18 PM
Well it looks like gas prices are easing a little bit at the time of this writing. I think though with the finite supply of oil with increased global demand its just a matter of time before the price starts going up. We will soon be paying what euorpeans are paying at the pump. Unless many users switch to alternative fuels like water fuel cells.
Posted by: Biggs
Posted on: August 22, 2008 08:32 AM
I agree 'Save Gas' - gas prices will never go down. I have been looking for alternate fuel options. Has anyone ever tried running their car on hho gas? I know it's no miracle cure but if it works like they say it does, I'd like to give it a try.
Posted by: Mark A Briody - Carpet Cleaning
Posted on: August 30, 2008 12:36 PM
Saving gas is easier for some than others. Spare a thought for the small business owners such as my industry of carpet cleaning. We invest heavily and many of us have our homes on the line with the purchase of our expensive truck mounted fuel driven machines.
Recently a small number of carpet cleaners that I personally know have had to sell up and move on or loose big.
With what seems to be an ever lasting up hill battle with no end in sight I fear the raising cost of fuel is going to see the end on many more professionals from the carpet cleaning industry.
Posted by: Todd
Posted on: September 22, 2008 12:23 AM
Gas prices are never going to be what they were, and it's always going to get worse before it gets any better. However, one of the biggest problems with people and gas mileage is that they are not fuel mileage conscience. We can do so much to improve our fuel economy if we only try. A good website for such fuel saving resources is http://www.fuelmileagehelp.com .
Posted by: frank bennett
Posted on: October 20, 2008 03:18 PM
Prices have come below $3.00 in New Hampshire
and thank God with the winter coming. Free eBook at http://save-gas-tips-ideas-products.com for save gas tips.
Posted by: Steven
Posted on: November 4, 2008 07:43 AM
Those of us in the Carpet Cleaning industry are really feeling the pain of the ever raising fuel prices due to the fact some carpet cleaners utilize industrial fuel driven carpet cleaning machines. Filling up my fuel tank every second day and spending just over double what I was this time two years ago has proven to be a very expensive exercise.
Personally I don’t see any relief coming from a billion dollar industry where the big oil companies couldn’t give a thought for us little people. I have experimented with many of the advice mentioned and can say with absolute certainty that some of the ideas do work but only a little.
In most industries it is simple enough to just put your prices up but unfortunately in the carpet cleaning industry it’s not that easy as those of us with the fuel driven machines are constantly competing against other cleaners who only run small electric portable machines that have zero fuel expenses and can charge much less.
Do I see any relief soon? NO
Anyone want to buy a carpet cleaning business? Well lets hope it doesn’t come to that.
Posted by: Wilber
Posted on: December 15, 2008 02:21 PM
Prices are coming down in Cali as well, which is a major relief but you know its just a matter of time before they shoot back up. The best thing to do in times like these is to look into getting gas saving devices and other auto parts that might help you use every last drop efficiently!