June 6, 201313 yr I'd ask all of us what exactly we're doing to try to change the rut we're in regarding being reliant upon gasoline? If it's nothing (which it really is) then we're just wasting our breath. I can personally relate to what you're saying. For the longest time I was a bus commuter, and I loved it. Although at first inconvenient, I adjusted and learned to make it work for me. I learned to more efficiently plan my errands and time. Now I am what they call a mega-commuter. My intention when taking my current job was to relocate, but I can't do it. For one thing, the areas I would consider moving to are at least 30 miles away from work. And I am not in love with them. And the cost of living is actually higher because of the limited options for quality housing and shopping. I drive ~60-80 miles one way (depending on the route I choose). And my car gets better than 40MPG. For me, it's worth it because I am paid well, and love my job and love where I live. But the efficiency and time management skills I developed as a bus rider have served me well. I pretty much drive only to and from work. If I am not going to see my son, or family, or visit friends out of town, I park my car and never move it until it's time to go to work again. I rarely "run out" to get 1 item. Occasionally I may drive a short distance in town if I am doing a social thing, or have to go to the mall (God forbid) or something like that. I don't really begrudge the gas prices, but I'm also able to usually just drive a different route and save .20, .30, or now, .40 a gallon. Even the worst, I've spent no more than $60/week in gas. Edited June 7, 201313 yr by rockmom
June 7, 201313 yr Gotcha. Then it gets back to shortages and free market. Again, it sucks for us sometimes but that's on us. That's my point. When the shortages are created by those in power only to make the price increase then the game isn't fair.
June 7, 201313 yr That's my point. When the shortages are created by those in power only to make the price increase then the game isn't fair. Fair? If we had an alternative we wouldn't be in this situation. That's an "us" problem and not a "them" issue. We have made our decision over the decades to build our lives around the availability of cheap gas. It's no longer cheap and now we want the govt to do something? I simply don't get it. If they're doing something illegal then the govt can get involved. Until then...it's on us.
June 7, 201313 yr Gotcha. Then it gets back to shortages and free market. Again, it sucks for us sometimes but that's on us. Artificial shortages created by refineries not working at full capacity. You say you are all for the free market and against the govt monitoring. So then, you don't agree with how the govt monitors companies inventories/overhead after Enron pretended to have a whole lot of something and actually had nothing on an excel spreadsheet? The free market did those 1,000's of people really well on their 401k's that no longer exist. Sometimes the govt is a necessary evil, as is a ref in boxing, or a ref in football. If the govt policed your milk you really think it would be more expensive than its current "market" price?
June 7, 201313 yr I'd ask all of us what exactly we're doing to try to change the rut we're in regarding being reliant upon gasoline? If it's nothing (which it really is) then we're just wasting our breath. Here's the situation I'd be in...I drive a 10+ year old pickup, which is completely paid for. I drive it approximately 24,000 miles a year, getting about 20 mpg (since most of my miles are highway). So, that works out to about 1200 gallons a year. At $4.00 a gallon, that'd put my fuel costs at $4800 per year. So, say I wanted to "upgrade" to a more fuel efficient vehicle (assuming I could still do the hauling that I need to do on a regular basis) that'd double my mpg, and effectively cut my fuel costs in half. Assuming the new vehicle costs me $20,000...and I get $6,000 for selling my current vehicle...that's $14,000 I'm out-of-pocket right now (even without finance charges!) Which means, even with my annual fuel savings of $2400...it'd take me nearly 6 years to recoup that $14k, and finally be able to take true advantage of the better mileage. All of which would be fine and dandy if I just had an extra $14k just sitting around...but, I don't. So, I'm pretty much forced to stay in the rut and ride this current wave of price increases.
June 7, 201313 yr 7 Do you not see something wrong with the system when they can just reduce output in order to increase their price? And please stop with the change something crap, or move, or change jobs. That just isn't realistic for the majority of the population. Yes I can go buy a car that gets better gas mileage. That doesn't change the fact that the refineries just have to low out put again and the price shoots up another .30 of pure profit. Do you want government to control the industry?
June 7, 201313 yr The only way any of us can impact price is consumption . If we want to impact it change everyday life. If you change nothing quit complaining.
June 7, 201313 yr Move. Get a new job. My point is we CHOOSE to live where we live, work where we work, and drive what we drive. We don't need the govt stepping in to regulate prices. In this economy it is hard to get a new job, move, or buy a different car. A lot of time our jobs determine here we live.
June 7, 201313 yr The only way any of us can impact price is consumption . If we want to impact it change everyday life. If you change nothing quit complaining. Absolute truth.
June 7, 201313 yr 7 Do you want government to control the industry? Nope, you obviously haven't read any other post I've made. But since you brought it up, why are we ok with the government regulating electricity rates?
June 7, 201313 yr If the govt policed your milk you really think it would be more expensive than its current "market" price? Milk is policed very tightly. The high price you pay at the store in no way reflects what the farmer gets. At the end of the day, it is the government controlling the price of refined products. They are artificially controlling the amount of refineries that can be built so the few existing companies can charge what they want and not have to worry about being undercut by new competition.
June 7, 201313 yr The US average is 367.08 million gallons of regular gas sold per DAY. 367M * $.30 jump in price= $110 MILLION per day in additional revenue. How much did BP payout for the Gulf disaster? nickles and dimes when you OWN the market and set your price. De-regulation run amock in exchange for political $$$$$
June 7, 201313 yr The only way any of us can impact price is consumption . If we want to impact it change everyday life. If you change nothing quit complaining. Consumption is way way down in the last few years. So that is probably not even helping at all.
June 7, 201313 yr Consumption is way way down in the last few years. So that is probably not even helping at all. Fuel usage is down 6% per DOT over 2010. That 6% costs the fuel industry ~ $6.6 M per day. The $.30 increase still nets a huge profit.
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