Get ready for $4.00 a gallon gas prices in the US.

[Becoming]

I don't have a Prius because I'm nearly 6'6" and 230 pounds and am claustrophobic. If they develop a fuel cell or equivalent car for the larger gentleman, I'll buy it. As for doing my part, I don't drive a monstrous SUV and do drive a very fuel efficient Honda Civic. I have also sent numerous letters to my government representative over the past several years encouraging the ratification of Kyoto and urging our government to do more to advance things such as fuel cell technology. I have a summer house that I live in 6 months of the year that has solar panel technology and a fully functional windmill amongst other things. I can run the entire household pretty much 'off the grid' given the right conditions.

Don't tell me about doing my part.

dude that is pretty good I have to give you props for that...quite environmentally conscious... you could really lose the high and mighty attitude tho, it might make people more receptive to your arguments...

"However, do you not think they should be putting some heavy financing behind those trying to find cheaper, more efficient and enviro friendly alternatives? (I personally would argue that the technology is already possible but the oil companies are in bed with so many partners that they are holding back the advancements but I digress)"

trying to stay on specific target to you topic....

If the technology that exists was so much better than we have- I find it hard to believe that it could not surface SOMEWHERE..... especially now when people are freaking out... they could make a gold mine...

If you come up with some kind of incentive program, people will take advantage of it to buy cheap cars, not to use them... Arizona tried to give incentives for people who bought alternative fuel cars - it turned into one of the biggest fiascos ever and almost bankrupted the state (not that AZ is run by anyone with any intellegence) funny cause it was almost all businesses that used it, not consumers....

and where should the money for this financing come from?

 

[atlantabiolab]

I have also sent numerous letters to my government representative over the past several years encouraging the ratification of Kyoto and urging our government to do more to advance things such as fuel cell technology.

You must really hate the lifestyle you currently have. Kyoto would do wonders at producing crushing costs on numerous goods and services, in effect hurting the poorest of society. When the costs of energy increases, the costs of shipping increases, the costs of finished goods increases, the poorest members of society can thank you for the clean air they have as they sleep under bridges and overpasses. Ever think past the minutia of "pristine environments"?

I have a summer house that I live in 6 months of the year that has solar panel technology and a fully functional windmill amongst other things. I can run the entire household pretty much 'off the grid' given the right conditions.

Don't tell me about doing my part.

I respect that, only because you did it yourself. After this, I have no respect for one who wishes to impose his ideals of higher costs of living for environmentalism. And there is no "part" that you are doing; you are not an ant. A nation, save those centrally planned, consists of individuals cooperating for their own self-interests, not working for one common goal.

 

[atlantabiolab]

Here's a question for you Matt. I tend to agree with your statement you don't want the government telling you what to drive or forcing the oil companies out of business. However, do you not think they should be putting some heavy financing behind those trying to find cheaper, more efficient and enviro friendly alternatives? (I personally would argue that the technology is already possible but the oil companies are in bed with so many partners that they are holding back the advancements but I digress)

Why on earth would companies NOT want to discover viable alternative fuels?? Do you really think that because we don't have them, that this is proof that they are being suppressed?? Eco-socialist countries have not produced shit in regards to alternative fuels, yet they control their markets heavily; what precludes them from bringing such "suppressed" ideas to fruition?

 

[RottenWillow]

And there is no "part" that you are doing; you are not an ant. A nation, save those centrally planned, consists of individuals cooperating for their own self-interests, not working for one common goal.

And this is not a statement of fact but rather your opinion.

Quite a lot of people make selfless contributions to society for the benefit of the whole.

And one example to back up my general statement. Recycling for instance me doing my part. Personally, I dont feel it economically or ecologically if I recycle or not. I do it to help other human beings, those alive now and those yet to be born.

 

[Gambino]

It is amazing what this $4 gallon of gas shit will do. The effects of this (in usa) are economically far reaching. This could put the hurt on the states in a major way...I agree that second hand SUV's will be a good buy in the future...

 

[atlantabiolab]

And this is not a statement of fact but rather your opinion.

Actually, this is a matter of fact.

Quite a lot of people make selfless contributions to society for the benefit of the whole.

And one example to back up my general statement. Recycling for instance me doing my part. Personally, I dont feel it economically or ecologically if I recycle or not. I do it to help other human beings, those alive now and those yet to be born.

This has demonstrated only that YOU and others desire to act this way and derive pleasure (self-interest) from this act. There is nothing "self-less" about this act, for you believe that you are doing "good" which provides you with a sense of "well-being". If it did not, you would not perform this act.

When you make the claim that you "do your part" you imply that there is a collective plan that all, or most, follow, which is not correct. In planned societies, such as the old Soviet Union, China and Cuba, this is correct, for all functions of society are organized for an 'end'.

 

[BO-DEN]

damn....my cAr sucks up gas like a mofo and she only takes premium

<--i got a caddilac the fucker only gets 17 mpg

 

[buddy28]

My father made a pretty good point several years ago suggesting OPEC cuts production when the US and its allies endorse or enforce policy detrimental to Muslim Arabs and Palestinians. They're just getting us back.

We invade Iraq so they crank up oil prices.

Of course there’s a lot more to it. But the principle idea is that OPEC's production quotas are often arrived at using more than just "official" demand/supply forecast analysis. They're paying us back for the unwanted influence the US is projecting, and planning to project in the region.


The real question is, why isn't Bush doing something about it? Bush should be leaning on key member OPEC states to crank up production. Not only would this give a big push to the faltering economic recovery, but boost his reelection chances in the process. IMO, Bushs inaction represents more of a perpetual gratuity care of John Q. Public to his backers in big oil, than a earnest inability to do anything about it.

 

[BO-DEN]

i would vote for bush if gas was .98 again

 

[samoth]

Sooo big cars are harmful to the environment... and they are not fuel-efficient compared to smaller vehicles... and they are a status symbol... and... ad naseum.

Okay, let's say they impose a limit to civilian vehicle size. Who would draw the line? Where would the line be drawn? Would a car getting 11 mpg not be allowed for manufacture whilst a similar car getting 12 mpg be found crowding everyday roads? What about vehicles used for companies and businesses?

Maybe I'm naive, but I don't see how they can put a limit on what people drive. Realistically speaking, of course.

Those of you who are anti-SUV: what do you suggest? How do we control the situation? Is it resonable or realistic?

In the long run... will it make a difference how large or fuel-efficient cars were in the early twenty-first century?