When will people finally discover?

Question

Oil prices are not going to go down and that buying suv's and guzzling down every drop of fuel they can get their hands on is not the answer.
Instead of bit*hing about gas prices why don't you buy more fuel efficient vehicles or carpool.

My wife and I each have jobs close to home and carpool with our hybrid honda civic.

Oh yeah to people like olelady93. I'm not saying everyone in the U.S. should not own an suv, but why should all these people that don't have the need for this type of vehicle be driving it around complaining that Bush is making million off of oil and they are giving it to him. Think then speak moron, I shouldn't have had to spell it out like this for you.

Answer 1

You will never reduce the cost of gas at the pump through conservation. But, there are two ways we can dramatically reduce the cost of gas.

1. Eliminate or drastically reduce the tax on gas. Gasoline tax at the pump is 4 to 6 times higher than the profits that the oil companies make. Its funny that you never hear about the "obscene" taxes on gas do you?

2. Let's develop the huge reserves of oil we have here in this country on the continental shelf and Alaska. Did you know that Mexico and Cuba are slant drilling our oil right off our own shores?

Answer Man

Answer 2

Good idea, but not everyone can necessarily afford a trade in right now. Also, most SUV drivers have plenty of disposable income so gas prices are not their #1 concern.

The idea about people walking is a good idea, but that only works if you live fairly close to work. Here in south Florida, even a mile walk at 7am will sometimes have you coming into the office dripping with sweat (no matter what shape you're in). No one wants to start work off like that. And if you live several iles from work (as I would imagine most people do), then walking becomes impractical. No wants to wake up at 4:30 am just to be able to get to work on time.

I think the real key is to find alternative power vehicles....solar, electric, fuel cell...anything would be better.

Answer 3

One factor is that per industry standards the larger vehicles are usually more reliable, safer and provide more features than a smaller vehicle. It is very difficult to put many of these aspects into a smaller chassis-you simply don't have the room or capacity on the frame to mount these features. This is to a large extent the reason behind the popularity of the larger vehicles. They are more comfortable and often show wear and tear less than a smaller rig.

Another factor is convenience. If you compare the public transit of Europe and the US, you will discover that ours is very inefficient, costly and doesn't adiquately address the transportation needs of a commuting public. We have large sections of the country too remote for this to be effective. In Europe the system has a transit vehicle by about every 15 minutes, they have expresses and what not to rapidly and efficiently move the public. These are very unpopular here and if they hit a ballot are almost always not supported. When they are supported, they are often not funded and are protested by those that oppose the system coming into their backyard or creating other difficulties for them. Providing dramatic improvements in public transportation, increasing acceptance of public transit would go along ways to decreasing the demand for oil.

Carpooling is ineffecieint. If you have appointments or errands to do-then carpooling becomes more of an obsticle than a means to provide transportation. There is also little encouragement for people to car pool. Look into the local communities and see if there are lists provided to the public for those looking rides and matching them to people willing to provide the rides. Then you have the issues of not knowing who you are riding with and this becomes very dangerious very fast. AIso in a world where we don't know our neighbors, we are not comfortable in hooking up with them for a ride. We don't know our coworkers very well and could easily end up with getting into a nasty situation that only gets worse with time. All too often these horror stories are what is told to discourage or explain why carpooling isn't considered to be an option by many.

The reasons are legion, but the basic one is simply it is too complicated not to utilize your own vehicle. If you are going to be commuting, then why not be safe and comfortable at the same time. So until it is more convienent and safe, you won't see any change in the usage of vehicles, the government will require increased fuel efficiency, but this is only a stop gap measure. Alternate fuels need to be fully utilized and until they are gas will continue to increase in price.

Answer 4

I really can't afford to trade right now. My little Isuzu Amigo is fairly easy on gas--about 24 mpg--but I drive it less, try to avoid using the A/C when I can and use public transportation when I can.

I also hold my speed down a bit--I try not to drive faster than 65 mph.

Car pooling isn't practical for the type of commuting I do, but I do share transportation as much as practical.

I actually pretty much agree with you.

Answer 5

hello.
ALTERNATIVE FUELS and ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES.
I am American. No matter what some nationalistic liar wants to claim; WE invented the Automobile. Well- cars are not a Neato thing anymore, are they? Everyone who wanted some $$ has gone and plugged laws into that car, to get $$$ for themselves, and we are refusing to slap them upside the head for it-so they are gonna suck us dry with the Auto. << Since we invented it, why can't we replace it with another invention instead of getting ripped off by these plugged in groups?
America started by a revolution against the powers that be- where cars are concerned, I say it is time to have another revolution. Time to invent something else WITHOUT the plug in $$ grabbers involved!

Answer 6

My pickup was a heckuva lot cheaper than a Honda or a Nissan. I haul a lot of big things, so I'm happy with the pickup. I also don't complain about the gas prices. I've been driving since 1978. Inflation happens.

Answer 7

I like your train of thought, but oil prices are going to come down very soon.

We think to about 40$ to 45$ per barrel by Oct 15th. Do not underestimate the power of manipulating the oil market. It was manipulated up and the time is here for "those" to manipulate it down. Most commodity markets are manipulated and oil is no exception, in fact it is the most controlled market of all!

The reason for timing up move and down move are apparent and need no more clarification.

Please do not misinterpret my comment. Crude oil is a resource that pollutes and is in limited supply and should not be used for energy. However since oil is the life blood of the world elite they will not give it up without a fight.

It is my hope and prayer that the major alternative sources of energy will be allowed to come forth before its to late.

Answer 8

You make a good point but high oil prices aren't the only thing driving gas prices up. A lot is corporate greed, the oil companies are posting record profits because they have jacked the gas prices some high!!!

Answer 9

I've been driving fuel efficient cars and trucks since I got out of school 21 years ago. But then again, I am a cheap bastard.

Answer 10

I never hear people with SUV's complain about gas prices. It's the people driving the little tin cans who are always complaining.