Originally Posted By fkurucz >> I remember when station wagons with a third row of seats were the family transport of choice for people that needed extra room.<< And families, on average, were larger back then. It really puzzles me when a family with 1 or 2 kids buys a Subruban or a Tahoe. I know that there are people who pull trailers, etc., who need a truck, but so many people use them a commuter vehicles. >>Once again, I must say that I don't think we should over-regulate what choices people make, but it's annoying to see people that have chosen to drive a gas-guzzler then complain when gas gets to $3, which isn't even at its historical high when adjusted for inflation.<< Eventually, the market will take care of this situation. Once gas hits $5-6 a gallon trucks and SUV's will be heavily discounted (think $10,000 discounts off current prices).
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Eventually, the market will take care of this situation. Once gas hits $5-6 a gallon trucks and SUV's will be heavily discounted (think $10,000 discounts off current prices). >>> It's interesting to see that some people that claim to support free markets actually seem to want the government to intervene to prevent gas from getting to $5 or $6 a gallon just so that they can continue to drive their SUVs with impunity.
Originally Posted By Beaumandy I don't want the government to do anything about gas prices except let us get our own oil from the 48 states, off shore and in Alaska. They could also cut the federal gas tax for a while. But they should not be trying to get involved with the oil companies.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>It's interesting to see that some people that claim to support free markets actually seem to want the government to intervene to prevent gas from getting to $5 or $6 a gallon just so that they can continue to drive their SUVs with impunity.<< They can want it till they turn blue in the face. As long as demand outstrips supply prices will continue to climb, and there is nothing the gov't can do about it. Rebates won't help. Price caps won't help. Even drilling in ANWR is little more than a band aid. As gas gets more and more expensive we will see a trend away from SUV's and pickups. We will also see a lot diesel powered cars. Fortunately for the Big 3, their European divisions have plenty of diesel technology that they can leverage. Chrysler is in a especially good position, as it can tap into Daimler's parts bin.
Originally Posted By mrichmondj <<< They can want it till they turn blue in the face. As long as demand outstrips supply prices will continue to climb, and there is nothing the gov't can do about it. >>> The problem is that demand is not outstripping supply. Since 1998, when oil was in the $12-15 a barrel range, demand has increased by about 20%. Guess what? Supply has increased over 20% in the same time frame. So, why are prices now 200% higher? This is not supply and demand. The number of oil supplying companies has decrease from 20+ to only 5 in the whole world -- that is a more telling metric to explain the rise in oil prices than some silly supply and demand argument.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>This is not supply and demand.<< Supply has been able to keep up because at $70 a barrel many wells that were unprofitable at $30 a barrel are now profitable. If prices had been capped there would be worldwide shortages. We are running out of "easy" wells. Another factor here is uncertainty of future supplies (especially from Iran and Nigeria). This too will drive up prices. Also, if producers hold back on production then prices will rise as well.
Originally Posted By PsylocibeFrog government get involved with the oil companies?!?!!? THE GOVERNMENT IS THE OIL COMPANIES
Originally Posted By BillyBob I dont know about you folk outside of El Paso but we are sick and tired of paying alot of gas. Texas is a good place and all but I dont like this high gas. My pickup costs 60 to fill it up now. These oil companies want to take all of the money we have
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>government get involved with the oil companies?!?!!? THE GOVERNMENT IS THE OIL COMPANIES<< FWIW, a large amount of the worlds reserves are controlled by hostile foreign governments. Did you know that Citgo is owned by Venezuela?
