Why $4 Gas Makes Consumers Freak Out

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Uhh, I think you need to realize that Deetoo is talking about luxuries. Luxuries have a cost and people have to be willing to deal with that cost. Going to the lake on a boat with family is ALSO a luxury. The price of gas is currently subsidized via tax breaks and direct subsidies to oil companies. The cost of these luxuries should actually be much higher. Our deficit and income taxes could be lower if we weren't subsidizing our oil and power industries. We'd also spend less money running around in the Middle East if we didn't burn so much oil.
What I find weird is that you don't realize that. You call it your heritage to be able to buy a big truck and a big boat and fuel them with lots of oil. You are deceiving yourself if you think this is how life was 100 years ago. Anyone before the baby boomers was simply not able to afford such a lifestyle.
If you would like to continue to be able to afford to go to the lake with the kids, then you need to rally for high tech domestic solutions to the oil problem. Push your congressman to detract subsidies and tax breaks for oil companies and instead give them to domestic high energy battery companies and subsidies for electric cars. By doing so and soon, perhaps a cheap replacement for combustion engines can be found and you can continue your luxurious life. Otherwise, pay more or stay home.

Joe 3:38PM May 14, 2011

For us, we don't like to hear about the gasoline companies made record profit again while we suffer at the gas pump.

shiankur of AZ 12:03PM April 28, 2011

Great article by the way. I travel to Europe quite often so first of all let me say that $4 per gallon is not THAT bad. Also, I just get so tired of hearing people moan and groan about the gas prices. I heard a lady at my office talking about it as if Exxon had broken into her house, stole everything she owned and starved her ONE kid to death. I then said, what do you drive anyway? (I already knew the answer) She responded with a Toyota Sequoia and in a way that was so nonchalant. I said well maybe you want to rethink that... then I got the typical look as if Im "un=american" or something.
My point is that this is the same story all over America. We are our own worst enemies when it comes to gas prices. Some people actually need large vehicles for work and in a way if you are a mother with one child driving a Sequoia then you are not doing them a favor. I know its a dead horse blaming the SUV but it is a factor, a very large factor. Anyone who has ever taken 3rd grade economics knows the first thing you learn is "supply vs demand" and prices are determined by the demand.

Ron of FL 10:09AM April 28, 2011

Wouldn't it be nice if we all could live in self-sufficient little neighborhoods and all have the same urban hobbies, like walking in the park, rollerblading, or going to the corner cafe for a frappy frothy cup of sugary caffiene while reading a book? Wouldn't it be nice if none of us had any reason to drive anything other than a very small, very fuel efficient car?
Jeez, it makes me feel like such a selfish *ss to be one of those antiquated ignorant rednecks that enjoy loading up the dog and sloshing my SUV over unmaintained forest roads to peaceful, seldom-visited tracts of wilderness where the two of us can take a walk and enjoy nature, and maybe get lucky enough to challenge ourselves against the explosive speed of an elusive ruffed grouse.
Perhaps I should shun my heritage so I can be just like you. Isn't that what America is all about? Making sure that everybody is exactly the same? Who needs the freedom to pursue their hobbies and passions? Let's all drive Civics!
I mean, why would any person in their right mind want to have a boat big enough to take their family out on the lake in to enjoy a beautiful Saturday afternoon with waterskiing and swimming and fishing? My goodness, the concept is ludicrous for the simple reason the boat requires a GAS GUZZLER to haul it to the lake. There is absolutely no reason that family should have chosen to enjoy either of those things because you haven't, isn't that right, DeeToo?
Everbody should live life just like you do. Then we'd all be happy as a clam and the world's climate would never change. After all, before mankind and gas guzzlers came along, global temperatures never, ever fluctuated. EVER. (Not even during the last ice age.)
I love your argument about the 4 day work week though. It'd be nice to have a three day weekend.

America the Beautiful of MN 4:13PM April 27, 2011

I meant 30 miles from work. Sorry about typos.

DeeToo of SC 11:51AM April 27, 2011

Who moved into the house or apartment 30 miles from home?
Who voted for the party of big oil and big money with major profits - the Republicans?
Who did not support the President's efforts to migrate to renewable energy?
Who decided their children need to ride in a car to school instead of walk or ride a bike to the school in their neighborhood?
Who bought the house with the thin walls, single pane windows and no trees?
Who leaves the heat set at 78 degrees in the winter and the A/C at 74 in the summer?
People are trapped by their own foolish habits and energy-wasting choices. Until they are hit over the head with a frying pan they don't change what they do...use more and more but expect low gas prices? You can't have it both ways....either you use less and the price goes down, or you use what you do now and the price goes up.
One thing that would help - let's have everyone change to working 4 days a week - 10 hour days. That would cut 20% of commuter gas usage. Surely the federal government could put that in place.... They do this in Australia already, so it can definitely work.....

DeeToo of SC 11:50AM April 27, 2011