I pulled into the Sunoco this morning after dropping off the baby at school. As I got out of the car, I looked at the prices and said, half to myself, half out loud, "Hmmm, pay mortgage or fill the tank?" I heard a few snickers from other motorists. One who wasn't chuckling was filling their Escalade. Ouch.
It is no joke. Fuel for our cars, our heating, and other transportation is going through the roof. That is not a laughing matter. Yet everyone still has smiles on their faces behind the wheel.
The scary part is we Americans are driving more than ever. We are sacrificing other daily living costs to keep our tanks filled to the brim. Brown bagging lunches, eating at home rather than out (or just cooking as opposed to take out), doing one stop shopping (i.e., Wal-Mart) for our consumables, watching DVDs instead of driving to the theatre, etc. The list can continue indefinitely with what we will do. Is this why no one is really screaming about the rising cost?
The Washington Post has an amusing article in reference to the ever growing price of gasoline here in America.
Another good reference in the world of petroleum is here: The Official Energy Statistics from the US Government. If you look at the sidebar on the right, there is a link to Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Updates.
5 comments:
I wonder if we as a nation will do anything about this mess. Are we that car dependent? What about public transportation, or car pools? I suppose as long as we pay, the prices will continue to climb...it's all very disturbing
I've never been so glad to own a hybrid in my life. Thank God I can get away with only filling up every two weeks!
Unfortunately, the high price of gas is going to start biting us in the ass when it comes to groceries, etc.
Pax - Public transportation is good but it's limited. Car pooling is a last resort to many. People like their privacy. We buy gas at whatever price so oil companies see no valid reason to lower it and it's a shame. I'm guilty as much as anyone else. I go to the pump twice a week just to get to work.
CP - I'd love a hybrid; however, car insurance in Philly is completely ludicrous so imagine the quote I got on a hybrid. Yikes. Went with a Saturn. O.K. gas mileage and insurance was a bit more sensible.
Gas prices are going to hurt everyone and that is what really frightens me. Like I said, we are cutting simple household costs now. When we've cut all that we logically can, then what? It won't happen tomorrow but it will happen.
Will these high gas prices finally make America realize what this war is about? Reading about Cindy Sheehan, I've realized why the war is not getting worse press - Americans are not sacrificing anything. Our lives have not really altered significantly since we invaded Iraq. Maybe rising gas prices will finally force red state people to say "hey what's going on?"
VG - The war in Iraq will be over before the red states realize what's happening.
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