Are the ultra high gas prices hurting you?

reub2000

The US has a very extensive freight rail network. I get the feeling that a ton of freight is being transported by the rails. The railroads are making big bucks, and passanger trains are frequenly delayed because of freight traffic.

The real problem is that many expressways are free. Drivers don't have to pay for the infrastructure that they need.

Crankyfeet

One of the big issues here is the low US personal savings rate. The fact that many people in the US are financially geared and maxed out to such an extent that an extra $2,000 a year needed for gas is going to seriously cripple a lot of people. If you added $2000 a year of extra expenses to the average person living in Asia... it would mean their annual savings would go down like 20%.

American culture (IMHO... as a generalization) encourages consumerism and materialism and discourages savings. A lot of people here value getting the best house, car, etc. etc. that their means often can't afford. Consequently when their is an upward move in inflation or interest rates... it has a leveraged detrimental effect on a lot of people. There is no financial buffer in a lot of household budgets for any adverse swings in fortune.

The thing that really irritates me is when people blame oil companies for high gas prices and profiteering. Oil companies don't "set" the price of oil. The price of oil is set by global market forces and if anyone could influence it... it would be the OPEC cartel.

If oil companies could affect the price... they wouldn't have let it hang around $12-$25 a barrel for most of the late 80's and 90's.

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gemship

I don't know but something here smells fishy

FasterthanU

Good for you Canzures. Do what it takes bro. -FTU

RedRider2009

Unfortunately, you are completely true, there are so many fat and lazy people here whose lives would be ended if they didn't have their cars to get them from one place to another...most people here refuse to even consider alternative transportation methods. Riding 5 miles isn't bad...they just need to get their heads out of their asses

Just a random question here: Have cab fares risen immensely?

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Canzures

in the dc area they have added a fuel surcharge and now require cabs to install meters like in NYC.

luvmom

Gas prices have to touch everybody. Product delivery in every shape and form has become more expensive. The one woman coffee cart at work said they are charging her $2 to deliver the dozen and a half pastries daily. Northern California - best price gas is $4.09

FreeHueco

Hey, our gas is only cheaper than in Europe because our taxes are lower...

If gas here get to $6/gallon, it will be at $11 in Europe.

In 2007 I rode my bike 10,600 miles versus driving a bit over 6,000. Talk about saving money on gas by not driving! I figure that I saved about $946 dollars on my commutes last year by riding...

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Bianchi San Jose (SS or Fixed)
Rock Lobster Steel CX (w/SRAM Force)

alienator

That may be, but that doesn't say anything about the prevalent American attitude, the one that says, "Hey! We deserve cheap gas! It's our right!"

The reasons for the price of gasoline--taxes, oil prices--are not what people consider when they go to the pump: it's the price displayed on the pump that people get bent about.

FreeHueco

If all people want is cheap gas they should move to Venezuela. Then they could have all the gas they want to burn and be ruled by a madman...

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" Life sucks, but work is really cool." -Travis Hugh Culley

http://mikedeitchman.blogspot.com/

Bianchi San Jose (SS or Fixed)
Rock Lobster Steel CX (w/SRAM Force)

Powerful Pete

Saudi Arabia is another good option in that regard...

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jhuskey

I am ruled by a woman who is mad at times now, besides not sure I would enjoy the cibo in SA .

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limerickman

Good points :

T Boone Pickens speaking on Bloomberg yesterday, said that 85 millions barrels per day are produced : 86.4 millions barrels are consumed per day.
Demand outstrips supplies = increase in prices.

As you correctly point out, increase in cost of living (petrol prices, food prices) coupled with the lack of money set aside to met these higher costs, does make for a perfect storm.

Are Americans any worse (better?) savers than other countries?
It would seem that nations like Britain have high levels of personal debt and little or no savings too.

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.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets" - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

Pendejo

The increase in gas prices hasn't affected me one bit. Whenever I get gas I pump $15 worth.