I just paid $3.27 for gas...

Ming · DOOM! Gender: Joined: 13 Jan 2003

...and I feel violated.

I also just read an article that has "energy analysts" claiming that they fully expect gasoline to hit $4 a gallon, based on recent trends.

Let's face it, most of this country is dependent on gasoline to get where they're going. Everyone seems to want to make a difference and change the world, then how come no one seems to do anything about this? How come people complain as they're being raped by the gas companies...and eventually start to accept. I'm about to assassinate the next person I hear who claims "Gas is ONLY $2.43! What a deal!" I say we all set aside our differences (be you hippy or cowboy), rise up, and slay someone.

Fortunately, I don't work very far from home, so my gasoline consumption is not that much. But I also don't work close enough to take advantage of alternate means of transportation. I could quit my job now and get a job in town so I could walk/bike every day, but if I did that, I wouldn't have a good job and wouldn't be able to pay back my student loans. At least I can save a little money from month to month...but with gas the way it is, I'm not sure how long that luxury will last.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't...sure looks that way...

Shandriz · Your Death Shall be Swift Gender: Joined: 28 Sep 2003

Carpool.

And don't make excess trips if you don't have to (like, if you forget something doing grocery shopping, do without and get it on your next trip instead of making another trip) I'm driving as little as I possibly can...which is really little considering I'm on break right now. GA has -awful- public transportation (as in, not only do the systems work badly and are dirty and crowded and stuff, but there just isn't much available) or I'd try something like that.

And I can't do biking or walking, as I don't have the stamina to walk or bike a distance that would take 30-40 minutes to drive, given that's how far Shino is from my parent's house.

Some people are staging a protest on Facebook that nobody should pump gas on May 15th, but that only works if nobody -drives- on May 15th either, given economics, and even then it probably won't work, though I'm still participating anyhow.

Soon as it hits 3.00, though, I think I'm going to start writing to state representatives with my plea to endorse more organic fuels. I've always wished there was the means to switch, and I think people are getting more interested in that stuff now with the prices going up like mad, so, who knows? Anybody want to write with me?

ScrumYummy · bunnyhunches of scrums Gender: Joined: 29 Jun 2005

I'm all for higher gas prices. It gets people to think of alternative modes of transportation (I'm not talking just carpooling, public trans, biking and walking, mind--I'm talking development of alternative fuel sources and less fuel-demanding vehicles as well).

I personally like walking or biking everywhere I go. It would probably be more common if America hadn't suburbanized itself.

Ming · DOOM! Gender: Joined: 13 Jan 2003

Honestly, just like you mention how the Facebook thing won't work unless no one drives that day either, letters from one person won't work either. I really don't think the government cares anyway because they're raking in a killing from gas taxes anyway. And even if they did start to press organic fuels, I predict they'll be highly taxed as well. So while you may be saving the environment, you're not saving people from their financial situations.

The sad reality is (and this is my hypothesis) that organic fuels, once readily available, will cost as much if not more than gasoline, at least until it becomes AS available as gasoline is now...which will take a VERY long time. And that's a big IF anyway. Buying organic fuel is going to be the same as buying organic anything else...you'll pay a premium because it's "organic".

And when people start to complain about that, then the government and the fuel producers will come back and make claims to how much better we're making the environment, which may be true, but irrelevant because the majority of people who complain about gas could care less about the environmental impact of it...they just don't want to have to choose between eating or putting gas in the car.

Part of me is dreaming of the day we all revert back to tribal systems and drive around like Mad Max...always in search of water, food, and gas.

Shandriz · Your Death Shall be Swift Gender: Joined: 28 Sep 2003

Organic stuff isn't all -that- much more expensive than heavily processed stuff for the most part. Admittedly, I paid about a dollar more for organic sugar, but if more people buy the stuff, more places will make it and it'll get less expensive.

And I -do- care about the environmental concerns, s'why I've always wished there were more organic fuel alternatives. Maybe -one- letter won't help, but I think a few would. And given that organic fuel isn't as rare as oil, the prices would have to come down eventually, because half the reason the public takes oil prices and asks for more is that they know part of the reason the price is so high is that oil is a limited resource. That's probably why governments haven't switch over to organic yet. Though, states like CA that have huge power and oil issues are -miles- further along the organic route than other states.

Robb · My freedom begins here Age: 40 Gender: Joined: 01 Nov 2004

Well, if my math is right, we currently pay $7.17 per gallon over here, so count ya blessings =)

Ming · DOOM! Gender: Joined: 13 Jan 2003

Kudasai Hiroki · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject:

Shino · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 4:31 pm Post subject:

Ethanol please!

Shandriz · Your Death Shall be Swift Gender: Joined: 28 Sep 2003

It could be argued that perhaps if we decide to go more organic, however, we may just grow more corn to keep up with the demand, no? And that'd be nice for the farmers, I'll bet. Maybe they can use the space they were going to use for a new subdivision nobody wants or cares about to put the corn in, too!