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 Op-Ed: What's your breaking point for gas prices?
With gas prices seemingly on an endless rise, and no alternatives in sight in the near future, our society is at a critical point; so I ask, how much is too much to pay for gas?
It's no surprise that Canadians and Americans alike have a societal dependency on the car to get ourselves around. While European countries may be able to avoid the use of the car (based heavily on their population and total land area), with the growing cost to export oil, many Canadian and American cities are being pressured to stop using the car.
This, ultimately, is a request that is next to impossible to meet. Both countries stretch over 4000km from coast to coast, and many states and provinces are sparsely populated over the land (think: Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming, etc) make the alternative transportations (mainly: air and rail) simply an impossible task to try and network on a mass scale. Without the abandoning of thousands of small towns and fringe cities (such as the prairie cities), it simply can't be done; especially in Canada. Think of how impossible it would be to network smaller towns in Quebec or Newfoundland/Labrador; the only conceivable method to make a workable rail system would be to physically replace the road systems to and from - and that's simply a backwards way of thinking.
So, we move back to the convenience of cars, and the costs of running them. While maintenance is a cost that is relatively stable, the main fluctuation in operating costs are gas prices. Now, we all know that gas has been on a steady increase over the last decade; and while I put the majority of the blame on government inaction or half-baked ideas (see: ethanol biofuel), it doesn't change the fact that for at least the next 5 years, gas will likely be on a steady increase until the demand for alternative fuel outweighs the cost of filling up a tank.
The rise has been well-documented and is a hot-button issue for both governments; but alas, there's still no short-term change. Where I live, gas hit $1.25 a litre, or approximately 4 dollars a gallon. I remember gas being 50 cents a litre when I was younger; and I'm only 23, so it wasn't that long ago. So, it's gone up exponentially over the last few years. Just recently, I paid 60 dollars to fill up my small car's tank; last year, it cost me 45. The difference is staggering. And frankly, it's above my breaking point.
Fortunately, I live only 6.5 kilometres from my job, so I have taken to biking to and from work. However, there are other times I work 60-100km away, so I have to take a car. I can't avoid driving in those instances. But what I have done is driving only outside of the city, and attempting to fill up only once a month. I always said that I wouldn't pay more than 1.00 a litre unless I had to, and in large part I've stuck to it. While riding my bike may be a bit of a pain on bad days, I've already racked up over 2400 km on it over 11 months. And proudly, I've managed to ride further this year (1000km) then I've driven (550km).
This has all been driven (pun not intended) by the rising price of gas. I know there's alternatives around, and every time I ride to work I just think of how much money I'm saving, and how little environmental damage I'm causing. However, I still see the vast majority of people driving everywhere, while complaining about the rising prices.
So, I propose these questions to you: where you live, how much does gas have to cost before you'll stop buying it (except for necessity... I'll say, trips that take more than 15-20km, or an hour long bike ride)? Do you have no limit to how much you'll pay? Are you already taking alternative transportation?
The next decade will certainly be an interesting one; I've heard lectures from both sides, some saying in 10 years nobody will be driving cars (except the rich). I tend to lean to the side that someone will find an alternative fuel or an alternative, personal transportation method; but in the meantime, there's no way around gas prices except avoiding the use of cars. For you, when does gas become too expensive?
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It is already expensive, now I think twice before I take the car. The public transportation is one of the worst in the world here, they haven't changed the schedule for a long time now. Without a car it is just impossible to go from one point to another, with bus it will take 1 to 2 hours. The pay has been the same despite the rising costs.
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For me I only go to work and home, if a place is on that drive then I may stop, otherwise, it's past the point where any deviation to the route is a luxury I can't afford.
I get my groceries where I work after I get off my regular overnight job, pay all my bills online and do small merchandising jobs on my days off, only if they are in a close radius to my home to feed my gas tank. Also, we stop by a recycling place that is on the route, when I take the other half to work, and make a bit to help.
We are now growing most of our vegtables in a small garden outside and also have a patio garden going to help offset the rising costs of just about everything.
Here's a tip: If your going to grow tomatoes look up hornworms or tobacco worms before you grow them and be prepared to head them off......ugh !! had my first run in with the buggers.
Gas here ranges from $3.64 to $3.77 a gallon all within a few blocks soooo it just makes me wonder how much price gouging is going on.
The prices are changing daily and in some cases it seems to be hourly....geez.
So my suggestion is to really take a look at the regular route you have to take and see where you can combine all your needs into that route if possible.
Anymore (for me) there is no driving around to see what store has sales as the cost is not worth what you'll be paying out in gas. One thing to note: their is no reason to drive from to store to store. Just check the sales flyers online. it saves paper, costs no gas and if the store is on your route you can save a bit.
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Parked my car over three months ago, when my annual insurance expired.
Don't regret it one bit. I cycle daily, take the bus and SkyTrain - both of which take bicycles at no extra charge. Am retired, so have no work-related travel problems.
Feel good about not encouraging oil industry greed. Am sorry for those that would like to quit but find they have little choice. Haven't done the math, but were I to do so, I know I would have found great financial incentive to parking the beast.
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I suggested that public transportation had to become a reality not too long ago; and was hooted down by the swarm and their hangers-on.
It seems to me just one more failure of the United States of America which should have been, may have been, until 1980.
Eisenhower suggested the interstate as a defensive strategy; but it became instead another capitalist endeavor which was finalized by the Alzheimeric-in-Chief...
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@ Jedediah Redman
I suggested that public transportation had to become a reality not too long ago; and was hooted down by the swarm and their hangers-on.
It seems to me just one more failure of the United States of America which should have been, may have been, until 1980.
Eisenhower suggested the interstate as a defensive strategy; but it became instead another capitalist endeavor which was finalized by the Alzheimeric-in-Chief...
First of all you're "hooted down" for being, well, you.
Secondly, the swarm is a figment of your imagination, as I stated the other day on a thread which, like I'm sure you'll do with this one, you made your snarky comment and moved on.
Third, as this article points out, for those of us in rural areas, mass transit just
isn't
feasible.
For those of you who have it and can utilize it, more power to you. For some of us it just isn't a possibility. -
My part of Montana is probably more rural than your part of the Smokies, mikey; but that is not the issue:
Eisenhower and his men chose a direction away from mass transit in the 1950s. It could have been changed just about anytime up until the mid 1980s; but Reagan went nuts with his paranoia about the evil empire.
Now our entire nation cannot be mortgaged for enough cash or credit to convert.
And how long will you be able to afford to drive your automobile?
I have only a few years until I'll be too old to drive anyway; but short of winning a lottery there is no way in hell I'd be able to drive when gasoline moves beyond $5.00 per gallon.
Deregulation and militarizing in lieu of infrastructure has cooked our collective goose...
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@ Jedediah Redman
My part of Montana is probably more rural than your part of the Smokies, mikey; but that is not the issue:
Eisenhower and his men chose a direction away from mass transit in the 1950s. It could have been changed just about anytime up until the mid 1980s; but Reagan went nuts with his paranoia about the evil empire.
Now our entire nation cannot be mortgaged for enough cash or credit to convert.
And how long will you be able to afford to drive your automobile?
I have only a few years until I'll be too old to drive anyway; but short of winning a lottery there is no way in hell I'd be able to drive when gasoline moves beyond $5.00 per gallon.
Deregulation and militarizing in lieu of infrastructure has cooked our collective goose...
First of all, I don't live in the Smokies, nice try, secondly, Reagan wasn't paranoid about the Soviet Union, we knew in the 80's that Soviet plans for the invasion of western Europe had progressed to the point where they had manufactured street signs in Russian to be put up as the Red Army rolled through the Fulda Gap into West Germany and beyond to forstall a logistical nightmare of troops getting lost in towns and villages along the way. Hard to pull off an invasion if you make a left in Stutgard when you should have made a right, wouldn't you say?
You do realize that the oil companies make about 8 cents a gallon profit? Take a look and see how much tax there is on a gallon of gasoline next time your at the pump, bunny foo foo. -
Um one question, what the hell is this swarm ?
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@ patxxoo
Um one question, what the hell is this swarm ?
I think you just made my point for me, pat. The "swarm" is what jed calls the conservatives who write here. He also refers to us as brownshirts and has outright called us Nazis, so take it for what it's worth. -
First of all, I don't live in the Smokies, nice try, secondly, Reagan wasn't paranoid about the Soviet Union, we knew in the 80's that Soviet plans for the invasion of western Europe had progressed to the point where they had manufactured street signs in Russian to be put up as the Red Army rolled through the Fulda Gap into West Germany and beyond to forstall a logistical nightmare of troops getting lost in towns and villages along the way. Hard to pull off an invasion if you make a left in Stutgard when you should have made a right, wouldn't you say?
And I'm certain you can demonstrate that intent by reference to your wide reading in rightwing authors. The anti-commie paranoia did not begin with Reagan; but it certainly reached its zenith with his presidency.
You do realize that the oil companies make about 8 cents a gallon profit? Take a look and see how much tax there is on a gallon of gasoline next time your at the pump, bunny foo foo
And what is the purpose of that tax, mikey?
But it really doesn't matter at all whether it is profit or tax. The price at the pump will continue to go up until the peons, coolies, serfs, and peasants of third-world America can no longer afford to commute to their jobs.
The Alzheimeric-in-Chief spent so much turning the nation into an armed camp there is no possibility of returning America from a debtor nation until your great-great grandchildren have invaded and occupied the last non-USA territory on the globe.
What is the point of gibbering about whether the cost is composed of profit or tax..? -
@ patxxoo
Um one question, what the hell is this swarm ?
Perhaps you are familiar with the habit exhibited by social insects to swarm around their queen in times of trouble. It is not original with me; but another person whose IQ was higher than his hat size drew my attention to the way this crowd protected their queen.
These types of insects also commonly swarms when it is time to leave for a new territory... -
Why yes, I am a bit familiar with this habit you mention regarding social insects though I am not in the habit of regarding humans in the same light as insects.
Odd.....and a bit sad..... :-(
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Not much on this earth sadder than homo sapiens, pattipoo...
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@ Jedediah Redman
Not much on this earth sadder than homo sapiens, pattipoo...
You know, Jed, you make it really easy to despise you, but I've learned something from watching you.
Especially in light of that last comment.
You shouldn't be despised.
You're to be pitied. -
@ Jedediah Redman
Not much on this earth sadder than homo sapiens, pattipoo...
My Dear Lady Disdain, Are you yet living? -
@ Samantha A. Torrence
My Dear Lady Disdain, Are you yet living?
Sort of brings Metallica to mind, doesnt it, Samantha? -
lol. It brings to mind this picture.
  Vote it up! Now don't you feel idiotic? n/a (Public Domain)
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Why is it when you argue/debate with a flaming Liberal they tend to always revert to a childhood manner of terminology when reason and fact is lost to them?
Oh yeah On topic: I just spent $643.00 on 150 Gallons of diesel for my truck. Hope everyone is ready for a huge price jump in shipping!
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@ RCB2875
Why is it when you argue/debate with a flaming Liberal they tend to always revert to a childhood manner of terminology when reason and fact is lost to them?
Oh yeah On topic: I just spent $643.00 on 150 Gallons of diesel for my truck. Hope everyone is ready for a huge price jump in shipping!
When you find the reason let us know lol.
I am trying to further my career on my computer to avoid driving my gas guzzler. Prices went up to 3.80 around here yesterday. -
I put $100 in my work van two days ago, tomorrow I'll be filling up again. Fortunately, my company pays for the fuel, but I can tell a difference in the amount of and type of work we're getting since the first of the year.
It's slowed way down.
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wow I thought it was bad for me with 60 bucks a week.
Around here we have Giant Eagle stores who give you 10 cents per 50 bucks you spend on groceries. With prices the way they are we got up to 1.10 of a gallon of gas at this point. So now we fill up at the Get'Go to get our fuel savings.
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Don't blame you one bit. My pickup, last time I filled it up, cost me about 80 bucks to top it off from nearly empty (that's where teenagers leave them when they borrow them, right?) I know contractors in my line of work who use their own trucks, and they're either downgrading to smaller pickups or getting out of the telecom business completely because they're not making any profits.
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@ Mr Garibaldi
You know, Jed, you make it really easy to despise you, but I've learned something from watching you.
Especially in light of that last comment.
You shouldn't be despised.
You're to be pitied.
So pity away, mikey.
I suspect that is probably the closest you are capable of coming to synapse activity above the brain stem... -
And you'll keep trying to one up each other on who spent the most on gasoline last week until when?
Just keep voting for people like Bush or McCain or Obama or Clinto or Barr or Paul.
Remember its not who gets the most votes, folks.
It is who gets to count those votes...
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@ Jedediah Redman
So pity away, mikey.
I suspect that is probably the closest you are capable of coming to synapse activity above the brain stem...
Such hostility! Amazing how some people can't say anything without being insulting to others.
Severe, chronic introversion, inferiority complex, paranoia, tell me, Jed, do you ever hear...voices...inside your head?
Keep talking, I'm going to start working up a case study on you, might even write a paper and go back to see about continuing my masters of educational psychology degree... -
Don't bother with the case study, they are already spending millions studying narcissism and personality disorders on the internet. There are far more interesting topics like, how the heck people can follow Obama.
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And you'll keep trying to one up each other on who spent the most on gasoline last week until when?
Just keep voting for people like Bush or McCain or Obama or Clinto or Barr or Paul.
Remember its not who gets the most votes, folks.
It is who gets to count those votes...
Did you have a point here or just a random short circuit of you're own synapse resulting in the same gibberish as the rest of your convoluted and utterly pointless posts? -
@ Mr Garibaldi
Such hostility! Amazing how some people can't say anything without being insulting to others.
Severe, chronic introversion, inferiority complex, paranoia, tell me, Jed, do you ever hear...voices...inside your head?
Keep talking, I'm going to start working up a case study on you, might even write a paper and go back to see about continuing my masters of educational psychology degree...
That seems to be a favorite pastime for cretins on these forums, mikey. I think you are the third who has tried to turn ol' jed into the square peg.
And so far, your B. S. has been the most advanced degree... -
[ @ RCB2875
Did you have a point here or just a random short circuit of you're own synapse resulting in the same gibberish as the rest of your convoluted and utterly pointless posts?
Are you a new wannabe..? -
@ RCB2875
Did you have a point here or just a random short circuit of you're own synapse resulting in the same gibberish as the rest of your convoluted and utterly pointless posts?
There may have been some innuendo toward certain electronic voting and tallying of the votes, in an election in which President G.W. Bush prevailed. Some serious questions were emerging regarding the process, when 9/11 happened along. Sort of pushed the matter to the back burner. Such a distraction. -
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Interesting prototype but when will they actually get some of these cars on the road at a reasonable price ?
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@ Mr Garibaldi
COMMENT REMOVED BY MODERATOR
Actually, mikey. If you have something to say, it would be more manly of you to come right out and say it.
Ol' jed has dealt with your kind of conservative before--quite successfully, I might add... -
@ Jedediah Redman
Actually, mikey. If you have something to say, it would be more manly of you to come right out and say it.
Ol' jed has dealt with your kind of conservative before--quite successfully, I might add...
And Always managed to Get Lost.. after a sound Thrashing .. poor ole Jed.. -
@ patxxoo
Interesting prototype but when will they actually get some of these cars on the road at a reasonable price ?
!5-29 years at least .. meanwhile American produced oil for existing cars can wean us off Imports .. BUt this seems to be Confusing LOONS! -
Durn that long huh? I just hate being teased... why don't they just make some of the freakin cars they already have (ex. electric, hybrids) in production for the masses instead of the few...that sucks... anybody got a cheap moped??
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