Calls for a boycott have been circulating for weeks now - to protest the high prices North American consumers are having to pay.
Personally, I think there are much more compelling reasons to boycott the petro-industry.. from environmental degredation, to contribution to greenhouse gas, to fuleing conflict and opression in regions like Iraq, Nigeria, Sudan, Indonesia, etc.
In fact, I think we subsidize North Americans love affair with cars far too much already (fuel taxes do not come close to paying for the taxpayer expense involved in developing the hundreds of thousands of miles of highway and infastructure dedicated to the millions of single occupant SUV driving motorists that clog our roadways evey day.
I am, however in favour of subsidizing commercial trucking, mass transit and carpooling with selectively reduced fuel costs or rebates.
Does anyone else agree that this boycott is entirely self-centred??
2007-05-10 07:50:00 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Environment ➔ Other - Environment
I also asked a question today regarding a gas boycott. My take on it is that it is not going to do any good. What we all need to start doing it to stop consuming so much gas (and other items as well, but this question relates to gas). We need to start using our feet more by walking or riding our bikes. Carpooling or mass transit will also work. If we don't buy gas on any given day, and still use gas on that day, we will still have to fill up our tank sooner or later. So we don't get gas on the 15th, OK we will fill up on the 14th or 16th instead. What we should all be striving for is a cut in consumption, that is the only way we can bring the prices down and help the environment.
2007-05-10 14:21:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No the boycott is pointless thats what I think Boycotting gas for one day isnt hurting the oil companies and will not do anything to make gas prices go down. Im all for mass transit everywhre! That would seriously cut down on gas prices.
2007-05-10 08:27:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An interesting hypothesis. Personally, I would just as soon go back to horse-and-buggy travel, although this would make it very difficult to visit those I love. My employment doesn't offer that many holidays per year.
Price setting and gouging are de riguer in the industry and also vehemently denied by the industry.
The plain facts are that cars are here to stay, we have to utilize this convenience responsibly and find alternate forms of energy to sustain their continued use.
In the meantime, if there are sufficient numbers of people wishing to make the oil/gas industry accountable for their huge profits ... I say, go for it!
2007-05-10 08:00:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think most problems with America's corporate culture (not just the oil folks) begin on Wall Street. The people who are hired to run big companies like ExxonMobil are not put in charge to save the environment; they are there to make money, the more the merrier. If they don't do that, they get replaced by people who will. It's the harsh reality; corporate stockholders (NOT the CEO's) have us under their thumbs.
2007-05-11 08:55:57 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with most of your points, but... When oil companies raise gas prices just so they can report horrendously exuberant profit margins, there is a major problem. With a boycott, it is possible that the oil companies will re-evaluate their current attitudes. Indeed, I hope this happens.
2007-05-10 08:09:32 · answer #5 · answered by Alabama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You say "selfish" as though that's a bad thing. The petroleum industry isn't a person - it's a corporate entity, and its funds come from US. We have a right to have a say in where our money goes, and if it means that for a day, none of it goes into the pockets of big oil, that's fine with me.
2007-05-10 08:33:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is pointless and stupid; fact is no one can live without gasoline. To really boycott gas we need to just stop using it altogether, every day.
2007-05-10 09:10:08 · answer #7 · answered by Goldenrain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is silly. Gas is going up because the demand is going up but the supply is not. And I think it is a good thing gas is going up, because it is cheap gas that is stifling some innovative technologies.
2007-05-10 09:03:01 · answer #8 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no, i don't think it is self-centered. have you seen the oil companies quarterly profit report? as far as conflict and oppression, they created that themselves. as for subsidizing, there are too many other answers that are ignored. but i also don't believe it will do much good, unfortunately.
2007-05-10 09:50:56 · answer #9 · answered by alienmiss 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That boycott has been circling for years they just change the date. I don't think its selfish I think its stupid...and it doesn't work so its also pointless.
2007-05-10 07:57:51 · answer #10 · answered by T L 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋