Milton, you crack me up...
It does truly concern me though that so many people do not have a clue about how free market system works - basic info that is taught in 7th or 8th grade civics.
And, when prices go up on gas, the goverment does NOT get more revenue - the gas tax is a set rate per gallon, not a percentage. At least the Federal tax is, and the state tax here in NC. Don't know about every state - maybe some do have it by percent but every state I've lived in has it by gallon.
And since when is it the GOV'T job to fix everything? While I'm not having fun paying the higher prices either, market forces will eventually play out and a balance will be found. It will suck but it will work. I'm more worried about the Gov't tinkering too much trying to placate the sheeple who are pandered to with promises of 'vote for me and I'll take care of you'. That is what scares me the most. Eventually if that becomes the prevaling attitude, this country will decline and turn into a weak nation, or worse yet, become more and more of a nation where power of, by and for the people is no longer a reality.
I don't want to be 'taken care of' I want to make my own way in this world without the government playing Robin Hood and ending up making everything worse in the long run, and creating another generation of people with the 'I'm entitled' attitude. Times change and we all must adapt. Lilfe ISN'T fair. These are facts. As things change not everyone will be 'winners'. That's the truth too. Painful, but true.
As far as hybrids - we have 4 kids. My hubby chose to downsize from a gas guzzling 17MPG 6-seater 'cross-over' to a top of the line Toyota Camry Hybrid. It's been a win/win for all of us. The payment went up only about $30 per month from what we were paying for the old car. My company gave us a $3000 employee incentive to buy hybrid cars, so that paid the difference in price between the hybrid and what a similar non-hybrid camry would have cost. Plus we got the tax credit this year of (if I remember the correct amount) $650 . So for our family, we got out of a car I hated (he liked it but I hated it) into a really nice car we all like that saves us money every time he puts gas into it. And we still have the van for when we all have to go somewhere.
When that $ equation starts working for more and more people, (whether that's lower prices on those cars, or even higher gas prices) that's when you'll see a huge rush to hybrids or other alternative energy vehicles, and car companies scrambling to produce these models if that is where the money is.
Basic econ 101 - Supply equals demand
If the gas is in shorter supply because of higher demand, the price WILL continue to go up. There is no short term easing of fuel demand world-wide.
Also folks, keep in mind that the our US Govt does not OWN the oil that is taken out of the ground - that is the difference between the freedom democratic society of the US and the socialist and/or communist dictatorships/suppressive regimes in other oil producing countries. Therefore, capitalist and free-market pressures mean that the oil companies who DO own the crude here in the US will sell it to the highest bidder. It's their job not to give us cheap gas, it's their job to make money for their stockholders.
I'm not saying here what's right or wrong, good vs evil, only what is the truth of living in a free capitalist society. But, as you may have noticed over the past 20 yrs, communism didn't work all that well, nor make the people very happy either...Capitalism may not be perfect either, but it does seem to work better in the long run as compared to other economic systems for the overall benefit and wellbeing of the people.
Anyway, please take some time to educate yourself about the truth about how oil is produced in the US and you will understand a lot more about WHY gas prices are what they are, Then you can form an educated opinion about what you think might help in the long run. With a major election coming up in the fall, this will be a hot topic, and one that everyone should consider when entering the ballot box.
It does truly concern me though that so many people do not have a clue about how free market system works - basic info that is taught in 7th or 8th grade civics.
And, when prices go up on gas, the goverment does NOT get more revenue - the gas tax is a set rate per gallon, not a percentage. At least the Federal tax is, and the state tax here in NC. Don't know about every state - maybe some do have it by percent but every state I've lived in has it by gallon.
And since when is it the GOV'T job to fix everything? While I'm not having fun paying the higher prices either, market forces will eventually play out and a balance will be found. It will suck but it will work. I'm more worried about the Gov't tinkering too much trying to placate the sheeple who are pandered to with promises of 'vote for me and I'll take care of you'. That is what scares me the most. Eventually if that becomes the prevaling attitude, this country will decline and turn into a weak nation, or worse yet, become more and more of a nation where power of, by and for the people is no longer a reality.
I don't want to be 'taken care of' I want to make my own way in this world without the government playing Robin Hood and ending up making everything worse in the long run, and creating another generation of people with the 'I'm entitled' attitude. Times change and we all must adapt. Lilfe ISN'T fair. These are facts. As things change not everyone will be 'winners'. That's the truth too. Painful, but true.
As far as hybrids - we have 4 kids. My hubby chose to downsize from a gas guzzling 17MPG 6-seater 'cross-over' to a top of the line Toyota Camry Hybrid. It's been a win/win for all of us. The payment went up only about $30 per month from what we were paying for the old car. My company gave us a $3000 employee incentive to buy hybrid cars, so that paid the difference in price between the hybrid and what a similar non-hybrid camry would have cost. Plus we got the tax credit this year of (if I remember the correct amount) $650 . So for our family, we got out of a car I hated (he liked it but I hated it) into a really nice car we all like that saves us money every time he puts gas into it. And we still have the van for when we all have to go somewhere.
When that $ equation starts working for more and more people, (whether that's lower prices on those cars, or even higher gas prices) that's when you'll see a huge rush to hybrids or other alternative energy vehicles, and car companies scrambling to produce these models if that is where the money is.
Basic econ 101 - Supply equals demand
If the gas is in shorter supply because of higher demand, the price WILL continue to go up. There is no short term easing of fuel demand world-wide.
Also folks, keep in mind that the our US Govt does not OWN the oil that is taken out of the ground - that is the difference between the freedom democratic society of the US and the socialist and/or communist dictatorships/suppressive regimes in other oil producing countries. Therefore, capitalist and free-market pressures mean that the oil companies who DO own the crude here in the US will sell it to the highest bidder. It's their job not to give us cheap gas, it's their job to make money for their stockholders.
I'm not saying here what's right or wrong, good vs evil, only what is the truth of living in a free capitalist society. But, as you may have noticed over the past 20 yrs, communism didn't work all that well, nor make the people very happy either...Capitalism may not be perfect either, but it does seem to work better in the long run as compared to other economic systems for the overall benefit and wellbeing of the people.
Anyway, please take some time to educate yourself about the truth about how oil is produced in the US and you will understand a lot more about WHY gas prices are what they are, Then you can form an educated opinion about what you think might help in the long run. With a major election coming up in the fall, this will be a hot topic, and one that everyone should consider when entering the ballot box.