a novel way to fight high gas prices

[NutmegCT]

James - I think that quote points out another negative about following the advice of a forwarded email!

There's a growing need for gasoline by all the developed economies. And those that are growing fastest, are sucking up as much gas as they can.

Why on earth anyone would think boycotting one or two companies here would change anything is beyond me. But the "story" gets passed along, over and over - as if no one ever questions the premise.

Tom

 

[PAUL161]

The "Magic of OPEC" morelike. And the lack of new refineries here in the US. "NIMBY Rule". People want to eat their cake and have it too.

Yup, Yup!

The magic of OPEC!

 

[tiga2]

....I have always thought cars should be taxed (big time) on displacement,not that I would like it, but it would sure spur development of smaller engines and vehicles, I thought the UK did that at some point.

 

[tiga2]

....I thought it was traders, speculators and the WEAK $ that was driving up the cost?? But look on the bright side, I am sure the share holders of Exon etc are really pleased!

 

[vagt6]

Mine isn't a wildly popular opinion in some circles, but I think we don't really deserve lower gas prices until we feel some pain at the pump. We <span style="font-style: italic">must</span> drive more economical vehicles, and compel government to greatly increase CAFE standards, etc. Thirty MPG simply isn't good enough anymore, we've gotta do better.

How can Americans yell for more oil drilling in ecologically sensitive areas when everyone's driving SUVs that get ten feet per gallon?? Ya can't have your cake and eat it, too. For example, where I work (city government), the parking lots are FULL of HUGE vehicles. Practically everyone drives a big truck here (few can actually afford them), most have never seen dirt or mud! It's insane/impractical/illogical, really. We're so spoiled . . .

The europeans seem to get it: I was there last summer, gas is $6-$8 per gallon so it's unusual to see big cars in most major cities. Lotsa very small cars that get excellent mileage, and TONS of motorcycles and scooters (Vespas, etc.: 80 MPG).

And, an added benefit to improved fuel efficiency is reduced carbon emissions: whether you believe in global warming theories or not, currnet levels of carbon emissions/carcinogens, etc., are just plain BAD for our (and our grandkids'!!) envioronment.

Mebbe there's silver lining in $5 per gallon gas prices at U.S. pumps: maybe it will FORCE Americans into smaller cars with vastly improved MPG, and stimulate <span style="text-decoration: underline">vastly</span> increased funding/incentives for mass transit sytems (give me the 180 MPH trains!) and development of alternative fuels.

After all, necessity is the mother of invention, right? Or have we forged a deal with the oil devils and the automotive lobby (clearly, we have done so!)? Again, I think economics will dictate action (e.g., $5-$7 per gallon pump prices).

We'll see in the next few years, change will come . . .

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Yup.

 

[Basil]

Mine isn't a wildly popular opinion, but

That's ok, mine isn't a wildly popular opinion either...pretty much the complete opposite of yours.

 

[JamesWilson]

I paid £1.15/liter this past weekend ~ $8.50/US Gallon.

Its a bit much, and despite the recent price rises, a disproportionate amount goes to the Treasury as tax... :cowboy:

 

[DrEntropy]

a disproportionate amount goes to the Treasury as tax

That's the OTHER hand in th' cookie jar. Diesel has exceeded premium here, filtered kerosene should NOT be that dear. Most of the price is in tax, as we've killed distribution by rail in favor of trucking. How could legislators NOT see it as a magic source of "free" revenue.

grrrr...

 

[vagt6]

a disproportionate amount goes to the Treasury as tax

That's the OTHER hand in th' cookie jar. Diesel has exceeded premium here, filtered kerosene should NOT be that dear. Most of the price is in tax, as we've killed distribution by rail in favor of trucking. How could legislators NOT see it as a magic source of "free" revenue.

grrrr...

Doc, it's difficult for legislators to "see" things clearly when a lobby's cash is being waved in their faces.

That's the clincher, IMHO.

 

[DrEntropy]

K Street.

What was so WRONG with napalm?!?!

 

[aerog]

Doc, it's difficult for legislators to "see" things clearly when a lobby's cash is being waved in their faces.

That's the clincher, IMHO.

I think Doc's point is... the tax is so high on fuel there is no incentive for the tax creating experts (er sorry, the "legislators") to try and support other modes of transportation.

If we move into ultra-high efficiency vehicles you can bet our fuel taxes will take yet another hike, pushing fuel costs even more. The average guy is likely to blame those evil oil companies, but the reality is the government will be making up for their own losses because of a loss of fuel sales. That (in my opinion) is why so many states are investigating charging road taxes based on miles driven, and by mandating installing GPS tracking devices on vehicles.

Several years ago the subject of high fuel prices in Europe came up. I did a lot of research and found that the actual price (per gallon) of fuel in the UK was lower than it is in the US. The rest was taxes. Everyone was droning on about how we're spoiled, and how we're lucky - but the reality was (and I suspect still is) the high prices in the UK are nothing more than an easy money-grab on the part of the government.

It would have made more sense to discuss the incredibly high taxes motorists were paying, not the high prices of fuel.

 

[tiga2]

..Right on vagt6, well said!

 

[aerog]

a disproportionate amount goes to the Treasury as tax... :cowboy:

Yup!

I did the math again and... total tax on the UK is roughly 75% of the cost of the gasoline. Using today's published average fuel costs in the UK the tax per US gallon is about $6.12!

Fuel taxes vary from state to state, from county to county, and sometimes from city to city. The average total tax is $.47 though, roughly 15%.

Crunching the numbers again brings the revelation that the average actual cost of a gallon of gasoline (without the taxes) in the US is $2.78 and $2.06 in the UK. The rest goes to the government.

Diesel taxes are about $.07/gallon higher.

Just FYI :wink:

 

[toysrrus]

Hi Folks,

"Citgo" is "Relatively" common here in NE PA. "Sunoco" is very popular with some stations offering decent prices but some stations are ridiculously high.

"Turkey Hill" mini-marts seem to be the Lowest cost by a couple of cents below everyone.

"Hess" competes with the "Turkey Hill" if your paying "Cash"! Otherwise, They`re no bargain.

Thats about it other than according to my Propane Delv. service comments. They say we`ll be seeing $4.00 "THIS SUMMER"!

Time to break out the "Two Wheelers".

Russ

 

[vagt6]

a disproportionate amount goes to the Treasury as tax... :cowboy:

Yup!

I did the math again and... total tax on the UK is roughly 75% of the cost of the gasoline. Using today's published average fuel costs in the UK the tax per US gallon is about $6.12!

Fuel taxes vary from state to state, from county to county, and sometimes from city to city. The average total tax is $.47 though, roughly 15%.

Crunching the numbers again brings the revelation that the average actual cost of a gallon of gasoline (without the taxes) in the US is $2.78 and $2.06 in the UK. The rest goes to the government.

Diesel taxes are about $.07/gallon higher.

Just FYI :wink:

Yep, lotsa taxes on gas. But, if we remove taxes from gasoline/fuels, we'll just have to pay it somewhere else (e.g., income tax; road tolls; "gas guzzler" tax, etc.). It's a huge source of revenue, gotta be made up somewhere.

The fact remains that petroleum prices will continue to rise and pollution will increase with consumption.

Alternatives just don't happen, there must be leadership to make significant change occur.

Leadership. Sometimes lacking in Foggy Bottom. Sad/tragic.

 

[Basil]

It's a huge source of revenue, gotta be made up somewhere.

Right, like Heaven forbid we should actually limit spending to only those things that are specifically spelled out in Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution for which Congress actually has the power to lay on taxes...no no no, we can't do that - too many pet pork projects would be cut off at the knees!

 

[DrEntropy]

As a populace, we've no spine, no direction.


"BAaaahhh. Baaaaaah."

feh.

 

[NutmegCT]

Note to self: as long as the great majority of the population has its creature comforts, nothing really changes.

However ...

At FDR's first inauguration, in the depth of the Great Depression, the parade's motorcycle police were carrying loaded guns.

Anyone unhappy enough to change things yet?

T.

 

[DrEntropy]

To that query I submit our ol' Uncle Basil's sigfile quote. :smirk: