Gasoline prices ready to hit new high in S.F.

It's more insidious than that. All of Europe's governments decided years
ago to tax fuel into oblivion. It wasn't just to make money (although they
do spend it), it's to force people to conserve. The taxation levels are so
ridiculous it has to be that.

I don't really know why they wanted to do that. I imagine it's because they
have few oil resources, and they were smart enough to see the national
security cost of being dependent on imported fuel. That's just me making it
up. I'd love to know the politics that went into that. If anybody knows
about that, please post it up.

In the US, we're very egalitarian-minded. A scheme to increase gasoline
prices would cause people to conserve, but not in an egalitarian way. The
poor would conserve most, because they couldn't afford it. Rich folks would
go right on driving 12 mpg vehicles they drive now. Stuff like that doesn't
seem right in the US, so we may never do it.

Really, rationing seems pretty good by comparison. If we all conserve by
choice, that's even better. When Americans seriously conserve, the price of
oil will plummet.

 

Hi Joe,

Regardless of whatever action we make take now, I'm convinced the age
of cheap oil (and, consequently, life as we know it) is quickly coming
to a close. Consumers (most of whom would rather sacrifice their
first born than give up their truck or SUV) can look forward to
increasingly higher pump prices and chronic supply shortages as
battles are won and lost over the world's remaining oil supplies.

And, no, corn-based ethanol and the Alberta tar sands won't save our
sorry asses either.

For a clearer picture of this, see: http://www.theoildrum.com/

Cheers,
Paul

 

I'm patiently waiting!

 

Until you compare it to the systems in other countries, hwich obviously
you haven't done or experienced. We have our problems, but nothing like
what Canada and Eurpopean countries have.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')[/QUOTE]
What bull. I'm in Canada and we have a great basic universal health care
system.
The USA hasn't got one, well in one state. I just read that Maine has
universal health care, but the cost is so high many opt out.
Interesting isn't it, that Maine is physically very close to Canada.

A friend of ours who teaches in S Carolina retires in a few years and is
terrified that her very good work health care coverage will stop the day
she retires. The cost of her buying private coverage is very high,
even though it has many limitations.

 

What bull. I'm in Canada and we have a great basic universal health care
system.
The USA hasn't got one, well in one state. I just read that Maine has
universal health care, but the cost is so high many opt out.
Interesting isn't it, that Maine is physically very close to Canada.

A friend of ours who teaches in S Carolina retires in a few years and is
terrified that her very good work health care coverage will stop the day
she retires. The cost of her buying private coverage is very high,
even though it has many limitations.[/QUOTE]

I have excellent health care in Michigan. My health insurance will continue
into my retirement.