$2.18 for premium at the el-cheapo generic gas station - WTF ?

[Mr_Spock]

This sucks - we need a president who won't go and piss off the rest of the world into doing cheap stunts to raise oil prices!

[anakie]

1. still pretty cheap by world standards

n/t

[Dzimbowicz]

3. Agreed

our gas prices are very inexpensive by world standards. However, regular gas around the corner from my house is only $1.85.

[Mr_Spock]

5. Much longer commutes, much bigger vehicles and 50% increase is no big deal

I think that is a very simple minded approach. Also my heating bill will be 30% higher this year - please donate the extra money to me please - thanks!

[high density]

6. And other places around the world have much higher gas taxes

Here in the USA the high prices lead to higher coporate profits and more money for the Saudis, not higher revenues for the government.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

2. Sure it's "cheaper" by world standards, but...

the USA does not have the same public transportation system as in, say, Europe. People are much more car-dependent here in the U.S. In most of the US, you need a car to go anywhere outside of your house. So, in theory it is true that prices are cheaper here than in Europe, but it is also true that a car is much more of necessity here for even the most basic things, and this is how it's hurting the consumer more.

[Rjnerd]

8. Car dependency

The median auto trip in the US is under 2 miles. Yes, even with sprawl zoning, "zipper" suburbs, big box regional stores, etc, half of the time someobody gets into their car, it moves less than 2 miles.

Just imagine how much less oil we would import if even 10% of the trips were converted to human power. Not to mention its impact on our obesity epidemic. It should not take 2 tons of steel, and a cup of petroleum to transport a healthy 12 year old a mile to an athletic practice. (or an 8 ounce video tape a comparable distance)

One of the differences with the European system, is that their fuel taxes actually come close to covering the cost of providing the road system. In the US, the gas tax covers a small fraction of the cost of building and maintaining the road system. (most of the cost comes from local property and sales taxes). This makes the apparent cost of auto use artifically low. It also means that public transit pay a far higher share of the costs. (those without motor vehicles subsidize those that use them. All of us subsidize heavy trucks, they do a lot more damage to the roads than they pay for their use)


Cycling (even as poorly practiced in the US) is safer than driving. (done correctly it is significantly safer). Still not as safe as public transportation, but... In the UK, where cycling is comparable in risk to driving (due to narrower roads, and higher speed limits) the health benefits make it a net gain over driving.


One of my favorite bumper stickers says "If I had ridden my bicycle, you could have parked here"

[PROGRESSIVE1]

4. $2.18 for premium at "el=cheapo generic gas station" is less then...

we pay in southern CT. It's $2.35 for premium!

[troubleinwinter]

7. $2.399 the cheapest self-serve regular in my city, No. Ca.

[AlCzervik]

9. My husband filled up in cupertino today

$35 for 12 gallons. He actually called from the road in shock. He's been out of town for a while so he hasnt had to fill up his car.