Conservation is the duty of every American
For the past month, in response to $4 per gallon gasoline, I have been conducting a driving experiment: I have been setting my cruise control right on 60 mph while on Highways 70, 370, and 270, and have made sure that my tires are properly inflated. I have seen my miles per gallon jump from 25 to 30.
I fill my tank every time I use 10 gallons of gasoline. So for each tank of gas, I am gaining 50 miles of free driving. After six 10-gallon fill ups, I have gained 300 miles. Therefore, my 7th tank of gas, at $40, is “free.”
But I have also noted that more than 95 percent of drivers pass me…many like I am standing still. A Hummer happily passed me recently…going well over 80. Young and old, men and women, little cars and large trucks alike pass me. I get some dirty looks, I get tailgated.
I’m wondering: has it not occurred to most American drivers that we are more consuming more fuel than we need to, and the money we are spending for that fuel is contributing to making market speculators, oil companies (like Exxon Mobil) and OPEC filthy rich?
Doesn’t it make sense to slow down, reduce fuel consumption, save money, reduce greenhouse gasses, and reduce the pornographic profits of those taking advantage of us?
Do we really need the government to tell us to slow down before we decide to do so on our own? Can’t we do this of our own volition, simply because it is the right thing to do? If millions of us combined to do this, the impact would be significant.
The group effort could be construed as an act of collective patriotism during a time of economic and environmental crisis.
Joseph Cusumano, Ph.D.
St. Charles
We should all live in huge 30,000 square foot mansions like John Edwards and Al Gore. We should drive around in armored limos and huge SUVs like Al Gore and John Edwards. Oh sorry, it wasn’t Edwards SUV, it was his wife’s. Then again, we should all send our kids to super-expensive private schools for the ultra-elite, like Al Gore amd The Obamamessiah went to and where they send their kids.
Great post Tim. It seems as though these democrat-commies want to leave it all up to our hypocrite politicians. I have always wondered that if all these alternative resources are so good then why isn’t the private sector doing something about it? What I hear from all these lefties is that the “government” should spend our money to help with alternative sources. How very socialist of you lefties!
The mere appearance of the United States dumping these environmental whackos and drilling would be the first step in correcting these prices. Let’s face it though. The lefties, who claim to care so much for the poor, love these high prices. Go figure! So many of you lefties no so little about economics and the futures market. Why try to explain to deaf ears? As your heroes Al and John Edwards play huge hypocrite you want the family trying to make ends meet to pay more for fuel. How wonderfully compassionate of you guys.
I have to point out one more thing to the silliness of this “fact” that your boys are spreading that it will take 10 years before a drop of gasoline gets to your gas tank. That silly statement is nothing more than a blatant lie and your wonderful brothers in the media carry this LIE as fact. Facts are that it could be brought to market as quickly as one year but could take as long as 3 years.
Tim, you need to leave Al Sharpton alone. He is too busy right now fighting his tax problems. I am sure of cours that this will be publicized as a right-wing racist witch hunt. I will be willing to bet money on that one!
superdave: I have to point out one more thing to the silliness of this “fact” that your boys are spreading that it will take 10 years before a drop of gasoline gets to your gas tank. That silly statement is nothing more than a blatant lie and your wonderful brothers in the media carry this LIE as fact. Facts are that it could be brought to market as quickly as one year but could take as long as 3 years.
superdave, I have no idea where you’re getting your information (Faux News?), but the Department of Energy of the U.S. Government has a very different assessment!!!
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/otheranalysis/ongr.html
The projections in the OCS access case indicate that access to the Pacific, Atlantic, and eastern Gulf regions would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030. Leasing would begin no sooner than 2012, and production would not be expected to start before 2017. Total domestic production of crude oil from 2012 through 2030 in the OCS access case is projected to be 1.6 percent higher than in the reference case, and 3 percent higher in 2030 alone, at 5.6 million barrels per day. For the lower 48 OCS, annual crude oil production in 2030 is projected to be 7 percent higher—2.4 million barrels per day in the OCS access case compared with 2.2 million barrels per day in the reference case. Because oil prices are determined on the international market, however, any impact on average wellhead prices is expected to be insignificant.
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“You know, I’m sure I’ve taken a position on it on the past. I have to find out what my position was. Brian, would you find out what my position is on contraception” — John “Double-Talk Express” McCain, March, 2007
MercMan: Sorry to burst my bubble? Where did I suggest that conservation alone will fix the energy crisis? What I wrote is that we can individually and immediately do something to save money, gas, greenhouse gasses, etc.
Also, I live close to where I work. 370/270/70 are relatively close to each other in North County/St. Charles. These happen to be the highways I travel. And I drive a small, fuel efficient car…and consciously chose to do so five years ago, well before the price of gas was so outrageous.