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Should we feel guilty that gas is so cheap here in the U.S.?

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I have no sympathy for somebody driving a 15 mpg vehicle and complaining about gas prices when there are dozens of vehicular alternatives
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When the U.S. experienced high gas prices for an extended period not too long ago, SUV sales were unaffected IIFC. You'd need a substantial hike to affect those buyers.

To answer the thread's question: I think it's the opposite. People who pay through the shnoze in other countries should feel angry.
 
who cares if you drive a gas guzzling SUV? damn tree-hugging hippies; what, maybe we should have an extra SUV tax at the pump or something?
rolleye.gif
its not about "i can drive coast to coast on one tank of gas, i don't need to complain".....either way, we're still paying up the ass for gas. theres no reason for it. where are our fuel alternatives? i think the oil comps are keeping other fuel sources down to keep their business up. damn the man! why are we still using the combustion engine after all these years?!?
 
Originally posted by: JellyBaby
I have no sympathy for somebody driving a 15 mpg vehicle and complaining about gas prices when there are dozens of vehicular alternatives
Click to expand...
When the U.S. experienced high gas prices for an extended period not too long ago, SUV sales were unaffected IIFC. You'd need a substantial hike to affect those buyers.

To answer the thread's question: I think it's the opposite. People who pay through the shnoze in other countries should feel angry.
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That may change somewhat in the near future now that the economy's in the can to boot. People are going to be much more sensitive to stuff like that with less disposable income lying around. I'd be willing to bet we'll see a downturn in SUV sales if gas hits $2.00 per gallon...or at least increased sales of smaller SUV's.

 
I think it is interesting how the original post is worded, using the term guilt. Isn't there a segment of our society that wants us to feel guilty about everything from eating meat, to driving a big car, to wearing fur, to eating fast food? I guess guilt is more persuasive than touting the actual benefits.........
 
either way, we're still paying up the ass for gas. theres no reason for it. where are our fuel alternatives? i think the oil comps are keeping other fuel sources down to keep their business up. damn the man! why are we still using the combustion engine after all these years?!?
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Why have an alternative with gas prices as low as they are in in the US? Gas IS cheap. This is PROVEN by the fact that so many people drive low-efficient vehicles. As gas prices rise and rise only then will people truly be behind an alternative energy, because ideals aside, most people act based on their pocketbook, not the environment.

The average MPG of vehicles across the board has fallen over the last decade or two believe it or not. If gas was $3/gallon it would have risen, that's for damn sure.
 
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Jmman
I love how any discussion of oil, gas, cars, etc, somehow results in a discussion of SUV's.......
rolleye.gif


Who says mind control is impossible......
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Amazing, isn't it?

So far, because of my arguments in favor of freedom, I have been accused of being a homosexual heartless person who hates poor people, drives an SUV, and I'm a druggie who smokes cigarettes.

rolleye.gif
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you forgot whale killer too. 😉
 
Originally posted by: Jmman
I think it is interesting how the original post is worded, using the term guilt. Isn't there a segment of our society that wants us to feel guilty about everything from eating meat, to driving a big car, to wearing fur, to eating fast food? I guess guilt is more persuasive than touting the actual benefits.........
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i think you're absolutely right.
 
Originally posted by: yellowfiero
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Jmman
I love how any discussion of oil, gas, cars, etc, somehow results in a discussion of SUV's.......
rolleye.gif


Who says mind control is impossible......
Click to expand...

Amazing, isn't it?

So far, because of my arguments in favor of freedom, I have been accused of being a homosexual heartless person who hates poor people, drives an SUV, and I'm a druggie who smokes cigarettes.

rolleye.gif
Click to expand...

you forgot whale killer too. 😉
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I'll bet his tuna isn't dolphin-safe either. :|

😉

 
Originally posted by: B00ne
Originally posted by: Jimbo
Please enlighten US again BOOne on your well developed European world view.
I'm am truly breathless in anticipation at what you will say.
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I am saying, that this freedom statement is stupid. Through high gas prices the consumer behavior might be a little steerable but certainly noone is limiting freedom. Off course ideally ppl would notice by themselfs that usually it is just a waste to drive an SUV (or other clearly gas wasting vehicles) but that is not the case so high gas prices are a good measure to tip consumers (and therefore industry) in the right direction.

But this still doesnt explain the stupidity of his argument. Ok, little example: u cannot freely buy certain drugs that would be bad for u when using them continuously (psychopharmaca), yet noone complains about this not existing freedom. Or weed is even prohibited, yet when using it you would be harming (the harming part depends on viewpoint 🙂 only yourself. Now imagine everyone would take the freedom of driving SUVs (imagine including 1.3bill chinese and 1 bill Indian) because everyone should have the freedom to consume how much he wants. If this means taking away the freedom of living (or even just quality living [I consider being able to breathe halfway clean air an essential living quality]) from everyone else - so be it??? That would be the consequence of his statement. My concept of freedom is that personal liberty should not infringe on the freedom of the others.

Since neither our Air supply nor the oil supply are limitless our consumption needs to be limited. Its not yet crucial for survival but if u live a densly populated area u can feel it very clearly already now. So steering consumption through prices seems not like such a bad idea (since it doesnt limit the freedom to still disregard reason and guzzle away the gas by cruising around McD in a fat ass SUV or whatever u like.
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You want to know what I see ? I see others buying materialistic things with their own money. Whether their purchasing decision affects me in the long run, ISN'T my concern... it may be yours, but it isn't mine.

Again, that's where freedom of choice comes in. We have the ability to police ourselves in what we do. The government polices us above that. Is it my job to say "no, you shouldn't buy that since it'll indirectly cost me later..." ? I honestly have other things to worry about. Please tell me you do too. Your concept of freedom is right on, but you speak as if I make my choices to consciously affect others negatively. As painful as it is to hear, we have people making those high-level decisions for us already. They're known as laws; maybe even rules and regulations. Relax Sparky.

You know... we weren't afforded this freedom of choice so that we may abuse it any way we see fit. I certainly don't take it that way. Why must you assume anyone does ?
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Amused I can see your point. I suppose that mine is that while the US is the richest country in the world among developed nations it has some of the lowest gas prices (maybe the lowest?). This means that the average person is using a terribly small percentage of their incom on fuel. Many drive vehicles that guzzle a lot of gas, and some of these purchases are fueled by nothing but status, which is why I have no sympathy for somebody driving a 15 mpg vehicle and complaining about gas prices when there are dozens of vehicular alternatives - alternatives that would in fact give the individual just as much comfort and safety (or more), if they were willing to overlook their perceived need to drive an SUV.
Click to expand...

We became the richest nation in the world mainly by not thinking we can tax ourselves into morality or prosperity. We also got here by respecting individual rights.
 
Originally posted by: B00ne
Originally posted by: Jimbo
Please enlighten US again BOOne on your well developed European world view.
I'm am truly breathless in anticipation at what you will say.
Click to expand...


I am saying, that this freedom statement is stupid. Through high gas prices the consumer behavior might be a little steerable but certainly noone is limiting freedom. Off course ideally ppl would notice by themselfs that usually it is just a waste to drive an SUV (or other clearly gas wasting vehicles) but that is not the case so high gas prices are a good measure to tip consumers (and therefore industry) in the right direction.

But this still doesnt explain the stupidity of his argument. Ok, little example: u cannot freely buy certain drugs that would be bad for u when using them continuously (psychopharmaca), yet noone complains about this not existing freedom. Or weed is even prohibited, yet when using it you would be harming (the harming part depends on viewpoint 🙂 only yourself. Now imagine everyone would take the freedom of driving SUVs (imagine including 1.3bill chinese and 1 bill Indian) because everyone should have the freedom to consume how much he wants. If this means taking away the freedom of living (or even just quality living [I consider being able to breathe halfway clean air an essential living quality]) from everyone else - so be it??? That would be the consequence of his statement. My concept of freedom is that personal liberty should not infringe on the freedom of the others.

Since neither our Air supply nor the oil supply are limitless our consumption needs to be limited. Its not yet crucial for survival but if u live a densly populated area u can feel it very clearly already now. So steering consumption through prices seems not like such a bad idea (since it doesnt limit the freedom to still disregard reason and guzzle away the gas by cruising around McD in a fat ass SUV or whatever u like.
Click to expand...

More elitist bullsh!t.
 
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Amused I can see your point. I suppose that mine is that while the US is the richest country in the world among developed nations it has some of the lowest gas prices (maybe the lowest?). This means that the average person is using a terribly small percentage of their incom on fuel. Many drive vehicles that guzzle a lot of gas, and some of these purchases are fueled by nothing but status, which is why I have no sympathy for somebody driving a 15 mpg vehicle and complaining about gas prices when there are dozens of vehicular alternatives - alternatives that would in fact give the individual just as much comfort and safety (or more), if they were willing to overlook their perceived need to drive an SUV.
Click to expand...

We became the richest nation in the world mainly by not thinking we can tax ourselves into morality or prosperity. We also got here by respecting individual rights.
Click to expand...

i thought we became the richest nation on earth because of the vast natural resources that fed the industrial revolution here. Sure the constitution was a contributing factor, but if the U.S. was formed in what is now Sudan, I don't think we could assume the same outcome.
 
Originally posted by: yellowfiero
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Amused I can see your point. I suppose that mine is that while the US is the richest country in the world among developed nations it has some of the lowest gas prices (maybe the lowest?). This means that the average person is using a terribly small percentage of their incom on fuel. Many drive vehicles that guzzle a lot of gas, and some of these purchases are fueled by nothing but status, which is why I have no sympathy for somebody driving a 15 mpg vehicle and complaining about gas prices when there are dozens of vehicular alternatives - alternatives that would in fact give the individual just as much comfort and safety (or more), if they were willing to overlook their perceived need to drive an SUV.
Click to expand...

We became the richest nation in the world mainly by not thinking we can tax ourselves into morality or prosperity. We also got here by respecting individual rights.
Click to expand...

i thought we became the richest nation on earth because of the vast natural resources that fed the industrial revolution here. Sure the constitution was a contributing factor, but if the U.S. was formed in what is now Sudan, I don't think we could assume the same outcome.
Click to expand...

Yeah, and Russia is so poor because they lack natural resources
rolleye.gif


Without industry, natural resources sit idle. Without freedom, industry fails to grow and innovate.
 
Originally posted by: yellowfiero
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: Jmman
I love how any discussion of oil, gas, cars, etc, somehow results in a discussion of SUV's.......
rolleye.gif


Who says mind control is impossible......
Click to expand...

Amazing, isn't it?

So far, because of my arguments in favor of freedom, I have been accused of being a homosexual heartless person who hates poor people, drives an SUV, and I'm a druggie who smokes cigarettes.

rolleye.gif
Click to expand...

you forgot whale killer too. 😉
Click to expand...

Well, I haven't been accused of that... yet. 😉
 
We don't complain because we drive vehicles that get 45 miles to the gallon or things that are high like that, so it ends up about the same as a 20mpg SUV.
We're also slightly better at using our cars I'd guess because we know petrol costs a lot, so we reduce useage, helping the environment (eh? What's that? Americans seem to not care sometimes).


My Dad specifically chose a car with high mpg because he has to drive quite a lot, and even though part of it gets paid for by the people he works for, he doesn't want to have to pay too much, and he went diesel, which is cleaner and more efficient.
 
and he went diesel, which is cleaner and more efficient.
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Cleaner CO wise but not in particulates. But ya i can't understand anyone driving a gas car. Diesels last 3X longer, get double the milage, have a more static price, and have more tourqe usually.

 
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