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[codewritinfool]

I feel like starting some shit...

Gas in the US is cheap. It is way TOO cheap. The rest of the world (except for countries that actually produce their own gas) pay at least 2 to 3 times what we do. Why? Because their governments do not subsidize the crap out of the oil industry like ours does. Because Tony Blair does not own part of Saudi Arabia, like Bush does. Because Osama did not summer in Wales back in his Oxford days, like he did in Crawford.

Furthermore, the high price of gas (or petrol for the enlightened world) influences the government and the people to actually CONSERVE (the word of the day) fossil fuels. It inspires people to come up with better Public Transportation systems and to live closer than 25 miles from where they work.

We, on the other hand, bitch when it hits $3, but we don't change our lifestyles. Instead we vote, and we (rightly so) remove the R's from office and replace them with the Dems, who are really the same folks except they worship Donkeys instead of Elephants, and we think that's gonna solve all our problems.

Here's the kicker. I think the government should tax the hell out of petrol and use that money to fund public transport, research into alternative fuels and to provide "petrol vouchers" for those who can't afford to pay it, until they get a job closer to home or move closer to work. $6 a gallon is a good start.

You'll thank me later...

I dunno about THANK, but I'll take some crap too by saying that I agree with you that, given its energy density, gasoline is WAY too cheap.

I drive a 25-mile round-trip every day. My car, coincidentally, gets about 25 MPG and is paid for (it is a junker, paid for still). When I consider that it costs me less than $3 to go 25 miles, it is a huge bargain. Even if you figure in a maintenance cost of $1, that's still a bargain.

[Speyedr]

You will pay for it either way. Most of your consumable products are trucked in so you will see a substantial price increase if/when fuel hits $6/gal here in the US. Keep prices where they are and you pay through subsidies.

I agree that neither party is the answer; talk is cheap.

I agree with that sentiment, but one approach fosters change, and the other stifles it. We need to change and historically speaking we don't do that without a fire under our butts.

The distribution of our goods is another thing that needs to change. We need more trains, eh Travis?!

[Who is John Malt?]

No offense meant but trains are too unreliable in terms of time. Businesses live in a Just In Time inventory structure which doesn't work with most train schedules. Besides, trains are subsidized too; at least they run on diesel.

[Lars]

I agree with that sentiment, but one approach fosters change, and the other stifles it. We need to change and historically speaking we don't do that without a fire under our butts.

For the most part I agree with you. BUT, and this is a big BUTT, the population density is much closer in Europe, and they have, and have had a much better public transportation system than we will ever have. The problem here is one of NIMBY (Not In My Backyard). No one wants any form of public transportation running near their home. I, for one, take the train 40 mi each way to work (it IS fairly reliable btw).

[awalker]

50.4mpg on the last tank.

Push Eject

Push apparently drives a fucking tricycle to to work

So what does you motor bike do then!!!!!

[awalker]

I agree with that sentiment, but one approach fosters change, and the other stifles it. We need to change and historically speaking we don't do that without a fire under our butts.

For the most part I agree with you. BUT, and this is a big BUTT, the population density is much closer in Europe, and they have, and have had a much better public transportation system than we will ever have. The problem here is one of NIMBY (Not In My Backyard). No one wants any form of public transportation running near their home. I, for one, take the train 40 mi each way to work (it IS fairly reliable btw).

Hang on i must have missed that
Maybe on mainland Europe but here in the UK its cheaper still to run a car.

They tax heavily on fuel here, but the real smack in the face is

Public transport does not get any of it like it should
They spend very little on the roads

All they do is try to price people out of there cars but it will never work!!
Because if there was a good, reliable and environmental effective alternative people would use it.
But there isnt.

There was a program here the other year, on Top Gear.
It is cheaper to buy an old car fill it with petrol (gas) and drive from London to Manchester than it is to go on a train!!!

Sorry, rant over

[Cash]

50.4mpg on the last tank.

Push Eject

Push apparently drives a fucking tricycle to to work

Show a little respect J. Its a Big Wheel!

[BrewBum]

I will jump in feet first.

Yes, shipping would suck in the states with our JIT inventory and such but you know what we would do, we would adapt. That is what we as Americans do. Think about it, if you have to drive very far to get the things you need someone will open up a store closer to you to meet your needs. In order to fill that store the suppliers would find ways to make it cheaper to compensate for the fuel, because they want to sell more products. I think you see the effect it could have.

Sure, everything we do is effected by fuel and sure we would take an economic hit, but the entrepreneurial spirit of this country would adapt because someone always is on the look out to make more money. I think our gov't is too afraid to test that theory sometimes and so they take the easy way out.

I realize there would be great hardships and it would take years to change, but we have to at some point.