Originally Posted By wahooskipper Americans are a funny bunch. We complain about how much gas prices are yet buy bottled water by the case, can't get enough Starbucks, and spend billions of dollars on cell phones, text messaging, etc. In response to the criticism of a costly election, I read this. The 2006 midterm election cost about $2.6 billion dollars nationwide. Egads you say! Outrageous! Well, consider this: In two months time American's spend $2.6 billion on: Chocolate. Man, I don't know how we tolerate getting bent over the chair at the gas pumps.
Originally Posted By cmpaley Bottled water, Starbucks and chocolate are things we don't necessarily *need* in order to get through life. The water from the tap is potable and much cheaper as is coffee brewed at home. Chocolate is, well, it's a treat. Gasoline, on the other hand, is something we all need in order to get around. It's also necessary to move our stuff around. Without it, the economy grinds to a halt. The oil companies know this and have been taking advantage because they have friends in high places and know that those friends will look the other way while they, as so aptly put, bend us over the chair.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Aha, a fallacy. We do not need gasoline. Do we rely on it? Yes. Do we need it? No. It is because of our addiction to gasoline that roads are gridlocked, suburbs have sprawled uncontrollably and mass transit initiatives are voted down throughout the country. The oil companies don't take advantage of the idea that we NEED gasoline. They take advantage of the idea that we are too cheap and ignorant to choose to live more wisely. And hey...I'm as guilty as anyone. I live less than 10 miles from my office. I could ride a bike but I choose not too out of laziness and comfort. I drive an SUV. Could I get away with a smaller car? Probably, but I would be less comfortable with my family. So, I don't NEED gasoline...or certainly not in the quantities I use it.
Originally Posted By cmpaley How is it a fallacy? Unless one lives in the woods and lives off the land, gasoline is an unavoidable part of their life. While it's true that we should have started working on alternatives years ago (and hopefully will start now!), the fact remains that until another means of producing energy suitable for transportation is found, gasoline will be necessary in our everyday lives...and the oil companies will be there with a vacuum on our wallets.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Supply and demand haven't fluctuated 30% in the past few months, but prices have.> That's the bottom line, really. Yes, there are supply and demand pressures on the price we pay, but they are nothing like the wild swings we've seen lately.
Originally Posted By mrichmondj We all know the oil industry is in bad shape, and we should be happy paying these high prices. That's why our 2005 energy bill passed by Congress gave $6B in federal subsidies to oil companies. Fortunately, we have a compassionate oil man in the White House to look out for these interests and keep the money flowing back to the Texas oilfields.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>We complain about how much gas prices are yet buy bottled water by the case,<< We, kemosabee? >> Aha, a fallacy. We do not need gasoline.<< It would be unfeasible for me to commute to work if I did not have a car
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy Wow...they apparently sure did. <a href="http://www.kydemocrat.com/" target="_blank">http://www.kydemocrat.com/</a>
Originally Posted By cmpaley I guess my little theory isn't borne out. Perhaps California is being punished for daring to put Pro 87 on the ballot.
