Gas Caps?
So, I figured I should probably address the recent spikes in the price of oil and, accordingly, gas. I must admit I went into a bit of sticker shock yesterday when I filled up my tank - total bill was $45.68. Fortunately, I am one of the lucky ones. My daily commute is maybe 10 miles round trip and I have the once a week "big" trip up to LA and back. So, I generally fill my tank up every other week. However, that alone is around $200 a month just on fuel cost!
I think about folks I work with that commute over 30 miles each way to work. They have to fill up weekly or even twice a week. Their fuel cost could easily be $400 or more per month - that is virtually a car payment! This is no joking manner and I can now see why it is getting the press it is.
However, I was a little dismayed to see the news on Hawaii implementing gas price caps. What ever happened to a free market and supply and demand determining price? In my mind this will accomplish nothing. While the recent ramp up in prices is a bit of harsh medicine (and, unfortunately, those who can afford it the least are the ones who will suffer the most), it is a wake up call to us all. We need to stop the madness - this huge reliance we have on oil.
When prices hit these levels, people actually start to think about the stupid things they are doing. I am hoping all Hummer owners (probably the most blatant display of ignorance) are thinking a little more about their decisions to purchase this obnoxious vehicle while they are filling their tanks up. I also hope people realize that urban sprawl comes with a price - that home in a far flung suburb may have been cheaper than something central, but some of that advantage is quickly diminishing as the price of your daily commute creeps up.
Of course, the broad economic ramifications of these price increases are huge. Will this be the event that pushes the economy over the edge into recession? Remember, the economy has continued to steam ahead due almost entirely to the American consumer. At some point, the rampant consumption has to slow down (especially since a great degree of it is being funded by personal debt). It will be an interesting next few months if oil prices remain at these levels (or even increase more).
On a side note, a friend of mine went shopping for a Prius today and found out the wait list was 6 months. Apparently, some people are already changing behaviors in regard to fuel consumption....
I think about folks I work with that commute over 30 miles each way to work. They have to fill up weekly or even twice a week. Their fuel cost could easily be $400 or more per month - that is virtually a car payment! This is no joking manner and I can now see why it is getting the press it is.
However, I was a little dismayed to see the news on Hawaii implementing gas price caps. What ever happened to a free market and supply and demand determining price? In my mind this will accomplish nothing. While the recent ramp up in prices is a bit of harsh medicine (and, unfortunately, those who can afford it the least are the ones who will suffer the most), it is a wake up call to us all. We need to stop the madness - this huge reliance we have on oil.
When prices hit these levels, people actually start to think about the stupid things they are doing. I am hoping all Hummer owners (probably the most blatant display of ignorance) are thinking a little more about their decisions to purchase this obnoxious vehicle while they are filling their tanks up. I also hope people realize that urban sprawl comes with a price - that home in a far flung suburb may have been cheaper than something central, but some of that advantage is quickly diminishing as the price of your daily commute creeps up.
Of course, the broad economic ramifications of these price increases are huge. Will this be the event that pushes the economy over the edge into recession? Remember, the economy has continued to steam ahead due almost entirely to the American consumer. At some point, the rampant consumption has to slow down (especially since a great degree of it is being funded by personal debt). It will be an interesting next few months if oil prices remain at these levels (or even increase more).
On a side note, a friend of mine went shopping for a Prius today and found out the wait list was 6 months. Apparently, some people are already changing behaviors in regard to fuel consumption....
posted by The Random Gay Guy at 1:20 PM
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