Emperor1956
Posts: 2370
Joined: 11/7/2005 Status: offline
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On the calculation of the "real cost" of $4.00/gal (plus) gas: First, Archer, your numbers are all on the low side. The gas prices here (Illinois - Suburbs of Chicago) are already $3.60/gal and we will see $4.00 in June. (Of course, in the inner city, it already is $4.30 and up -- why not F*ck those that can lease afford it, first, eh). Your annual miles driven at 15,000 is based on a low and old estimate. With split families, people living farther from work, etc. I think you'll find the US annual average is creeping up to about 16,800 -- and will keep going up. And while your hypothetical gas price is too low, your MPG is woefully high at 25. Look at American fleet rates - AVERAGE CAFE standards are 17.9 or so. And far too many vehicles can't get better than 15. Now figure REAL mileage, not the "treadmill" numbers - drop that MPG 22% on average. My point: Your $300/year becomes closer to $800 for many folks...and while cutting out Starbucks and one porno rental a month might cover that...why? Why give up anything to burn more of a noxious, dangerous liquid in your car? But none of this matters, really. Attacking your calculations isn't important -- its the attitude. I came to this realization a short while ago: I MUST CUT DOWN ON MY USE OF FOSSIL FUEL. Why? I'm NOT green. I won't go out of my way to harm the planet, but I don't hug trees (too scratchy) and I don't especially care about my carbon footprint. So why did I buy a 2002 Toyota Prius (and got rid of the Jeep Liberty AND the Subaru Outback)? Pure selfishness. And may I suggest you, Archer, and the other folks on here, get just as selfish, too. I stopped burning through 30+ gal a week because (1) I work too hard for my money to piss it into a gas tank and out some oil co. exec's stock options and (2) I don't need to fund the House of Saud while they are arming the next 9/11 band. And you don't need to, either. Get selfish. E.
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"When you wake up, Pooh," said Piglet, "what's the first thing you say?" "What's for breakfast? What do you say, Piglet?" "I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said.
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