The One Sure Way to Drive Gas Prices Down

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High gas prices are the largest tax increase on the poor and middle class in existence today. It is a direct result of some sick plan to eliminate SUV's and get us all driving little crap-cans. If this nation had a solid energy policy that promoted a balanced approach to providing energy, one that outlines clear and concise short and long term goals, we'd be better off. However, sticking it to fossil fuel companies because you're controlled by the environmentalists will continue to make the middle class and poor even poorer.

Merritt Hamilton of TX 2:04PM June 29, 2011

Interesting piece from Prof. Charles Becker on leading candidates to succeed DSK at the International Monetary Fund; an intriguing endorsement for Kazakhstan's Grigori Marchenko, 'one of the most remarkable financial policymakers in decades', says Becker - http://huff.to/l8VvyY

Steph King of DC 10:05AM June 17, 2011

It would appear my decision to park the car and stop driving on 9/12 (nearly 10 years ago) is more prescient than ever. Living in a small, Southern city with not many mass transit options, it was scary at first. Now, in retrospect, it was one of the smartest moves I ever made. Freedom afforded by vehicle ownership? I think not...and not just gas, it's insurance, licensing, parking, AAA, jumper cables, dead batteries, maintenance, ad nauseum. Now, not only do I not pay ANY of that, more importantly, I don't have to work all those hours to make the money to pay any of that. Gas is how much a gallon now? Oh, that's right, I don't give a damn. Good luck to the rest of you out there. Think about this post when you're sitting through the 3rd cycle of light changes to turn left.

Daniel of AR 9:15PM May 23, 2011

Oil, like everything else is priced on the laws of supply and demand. When supply is constant, and demand decreases, the price of oil drops. When supply is constant, and demand increases, prices go up. And so on, and so on.
The problem though in the United States is that when the price of oil/gasoline drops like in late 2008, those of us who did still had a job opted to buy less fuel efficient vehicles like big trucks and SUV's, where months earlier when the price of oil was $ 147.00 a barrel, small cars/hybrids were the rage. At the time when oil was $ 147.00 a barrel, carmakers could not keep up with the demand for small cars/hybrids, but when the price of oil dropped to $ 47.00 a barrel, there was a glut of small cars/hybrids on auto dealers floors and dealers could not get rid of them. At that time (when the price of oil was $ 47.00 a barrel), big trucks and SUV's became the rage again. So how can Detroit predict what is going to sell (or for that matter Japan) if the American public is so fickle.
What is the solution ? Think small, and pocket the savings when gasoline prices drop. When the price of oil goes up be thankful that you have a small car/hybrid that gets great fuel economy when everyone else suffers at the pump with their gas guzzlers.
That is exactly what I did. I have a car that gets 40 MPG highway, and am very thankful that I do have such a car. I create less of a demand for oil, which may result in a price drop, and when the price of oil drops, I pocket the change to have a little fun.
I feel that I have some good advice. People, listen.

Henry G. Huestis of WA 6:50PM May 21, 2011

Another solution -- commute by bike! It's better for you, it's better for the environment, and it takes one more car off of our crowded roadways. Bikes are inexpensive and the maintenance involves cleaning your chain once every couple hundred miles. Get off the highway and take backstreets, and you'll discover parts of your town you never knew existed. Give it a try.
"The simplest explanation is most likely the correct one."

Eli of FL 2:55PM May 19, 2011

See blog for more money saving tips around the home http://tiny.cc/mvzgg and
at the gas pump http://tiny.cc/fgck2

kev of NH 7:45PM May 18, 2011

The only way I could use less gas is to lose either my job or my home. The prior administration did a pretty good job on those fronts, but I managed to — barely — hang on. I used to live near my work... intentionally... but a couple of years ago I had to take a new job (at a 30% cut in pay) much farther away. I'd love to move close to my new job, but since my home is now worth just over half of what I paid for it five years ago, selling it is pretty much out of the question.

Doug of CA 7:04PM May 18, 2011

I've found a solution for high gasoline prices that has actually decreased the amount I spend on gasoline compared to last year.
1. I found that if I drive 55 mph instead of 65-70mph I can increase my miles per gallon by about 30 percent. I have an active milage gague in my Toyota Sequoia. At 70mph on flat surface I get about 17 mpg. When I slow down to 55 mph the milage goes up to 24-25 mpg. I save 1 dollar per gallon of gas just by driving slower.
2. For city driving I have learned to come to slow stops...trying to coast to the stop light rather than rush up and jam on my brakes. That saves on my brakes and gas.
3. Instead of trying to get up to freeway speed in a short amount of time I gradually increase my speed
4. I time stoplights. If I see a light go red up ahead I take my foot off the gas pedal and coast up to the light.
5. Combining trips. Rather than make a lot of trips , I plan my trips to combine as many chores as I can. I try to take care of banking, beauty parlor, post office, food shopping all on one trip. Keeping a list of '"things to do".
The result is that I'm spending less on gas than last year...without having to sacrifice a thing

naksuthin of KY 4:05PM May 18, 2011

I must disagree with the article. The only thing that is influencing gas prices is the oil futures commodity markets. Demand is low, supply is high, 24.5 million people in the the US, the world's largest economy, are underemployed, yet oil futures were touching 115$/barrel. Tillerson states that currently gas should be at 60$/barrel based on actual current supply and demand.
The commodities exchanges have become like the stock market, governed by investor riffraff that operate based on sentiment, momentum, theories, dart boards, etc. The exchanges were created to help industries that take delivery set a future price, not for the average investor or conglomerate to jump in and buy/sell buy/sell for the fun of it or maybe even to corner the market.
Until this is resolved no general economic, jobs, or housing recovery. Its too hurtful to consumers and businesses.

verysoreloser of FL 3:21PM May 18, 2011

While you're absolutely right that lessening demand will lower prices, the problem is that the country has created a culture dependent on fuel consumption. Land-use and regional planning efforts for the past half-century in metros all over the country have driven people away from city centers and out to the suburbs - because that's what they were supposed to do. That's where infrastructure, new homes and jobs have being steered by municipal and state governments. Only now are regional planning entities starting to focus on infill and "returning" people to metro centers. But it's not going to happen overnight. Same with the vehicles people are driving. For many families living an American life, a larger vehicle is necessary to make those trips to and from the suburbs - and if you wanted to support your neighbor and "Buy American" for the past couple decades, it meant a lot of things besides fuel efficiency. People can't just up and change where they live and what they drive (particularly coming out of a recession) because gas prices go up. This is why the federal government should be providing at least a temporary solution - because government's planning (or lack thereof) is in large part responsible for the pickle that Americans now find themselves in. Everyone wants to live more efficiently, and everyone wants to conserve, and most people you talk to would probably say that driving a more fuel efficient car and living closer to the things you need in life are preferable. But people's beds are currently made and we have to sleep in them for a while.

Craig Turner of NY 12:40PM May 18, 2011