CNNMoney Analysis: Public doesn't seem bothered enough regarding gas prices, to cut back much

[sabra]

http://money.cnn.com/2007/05/16/news/economy/oil_bythebarrel/index.htm?cnn=yes

<snip>

Don't expect a steep fall, though. The EIA, whose previous per-gallon estimates have been shattered by continuously increasing prices, said in its latest report Wednesday afternoon that demand should keep prices around $3 through the summer.

In any event, if gas prices tumbled suddenly, that could spark a rush of buying that would force prices back up again - or at least put a floor under them.

Besides, judging by current demand levels, the driving public doesn't seem bothered enough to cut back much or even park their vehicles altogether. And it's that demand, after all, that goes a long way in determining which way prices will go.

"Once we got through a threshold high like last year and broke that $3-a-gallon barrier, the public gets accustomed to it and they go back to buying as normal," Hamilton said. "If it goes to $3.50 will they slow down? We don't know."

[Beacho]

1. Or they have no choice perhaps?

over sixty years of building our infrastructure around the auto might have a tad something to do with this.

Just a thought

[Captain Hilts]

2. They HAVE to drive 70mph in the left lane? nt

[Deja Q]

3. The truth is in the middle.

Or in this case, the truth is my post acknowledging responses 1 and 2 are both correct. :7

Many highways could be augmented with light rail and busing.

[RC]

8. It you are going that slow, you'd better be in the right lane.

The speed limit out here in the boonies with 60 to 100 mines between towns is 75.

[hobbit709]

4. Our driving is greatly reduced

We try to run as many errands as possible on one trip. My wife is able to do some of her work at home. So our driving has been cut back to minimal-we don't go cruising around, we don't go out as much. Compared to a couple of years ago we're using about 40% less gas but spending the same amount of money. Most of our friends are doing the same.

[PATRICK]

5. Economic shifts

that change the perception of consumer opinion and the impact of changing activities. In the oil situation it is disastrous even though on the whole America has enjoyed cheap gas for so long that griping about increases has been more of an empty emotion such as when postage stamps go up a nickel.
Or that hamburgers no longer cost a dime like "in my day". Inflation has created a gripe and go on cycle so ingrained that no one really takes their own outrage seriously or distinguishes between products.

Yet gas is THE single product being scrutinized for very good reason since the oil companies are blatantly exploiting all the power and weaknesses. People on TV reflect the nervousness of tyrants who wonder if they have pushed people too far- this time. With a sigh that depends on people(who hate carpooling and no longer have regular matching work schedules and locales much anyway) to continue driving to work, going on vacation, shopping by car. If they get away with that with no Congressional leadership or media to allow the general sentiment to move toward action, the sheep will stay behind the wheel until they go broke.

Shifting though is another flexible example of how the big guys make up for the common man who likes cheap cars and cheap vacations diminishing from the economy. Passports to Canada? It HAS to have as big attrition of money flowing in considering the mere cost or red tape involved. But now there is casino gambling across the border and there are enough passport tourists with more dough and more reliable spending habits to sustain the tourism economy. Sure the little shopkeepers and hotels and attractions will suffer, but does the gambling fed government give a damn? Easier to patrol a ghost town and have all the money in extravagant largess simply handed over at the betting table. Where does the money come from to support these addicts having fun giving their money away for nothing according to the harsh logic of simple mathematical chance? Who cares? With looting sanctioned by a crony government and crony media it does not matter much really how America chooses to allot its money. By hook and crook the top gets it all and the easier methods are becoming more attractive than mere commerce among the seething masses. Which is why the small account holder suffers fees and charges to penalize him for having little profit to offer the Great institution. Taxes? The corporate government can now appropriate the Treasury to make the flow even more mandatory to the rich.

Apparently as long as people keep the river flowing to the top the problem of the source or general commerce can be saved for another day. Since when does the real world value for the commons affect the stock market anyway- unless they stop being a docile sure cash cow for any scheme of corporate America. Utopia means that corporations need not offer any product or service in order to aggrandize their profit and position. Their Utopia is here. THAT is the opinion of the impartial pundits who keep watching their victims for signs of rebellion or fatal illness. Any circular logic that can sustain the impossible, such as why people who no longer are allowed a voice or options especially in national "news" forums or in the fraudulently elected corporate government, will keep presenting this optimistic wonder of the Americans who keep spending and spending and not worry about them being robbed and robbed.

We have already been robbed blind? Why can't people "see" this? it is what being robbed blind is all about. Apparently we are also robbed speechless.

[bobbolink]

6. EXACTLY!!! It only HURTS POOR PEOPLE! It doesn't spark conservation.

YEt liberals continue to advocate higher gas taxes.

I"ve given up thinking that liberals will ever consider FIRST the effects on poor folk of their proposals.

:mad:

[brer cat]

7. Right on, as usual, bobbolink!

May I also point out a problem with the article: "...the driving public doesn't seem bothered..." What absolute crap! The POOR people who can't afford to fill up their tanks, or are buying gas instead of food and medicine because they have to drive to continue working, are not heard because they are INVISIBLE to the media, and to most Americans, unfortunately including liberals.

:hi: :hug:

[bobbolink]

10. We aren't heard???

Yeah, you got that right!!

INcluding.... we poor folk aren't heard by liberals, Dems, progressives, whatevers.

It's all just fine, because it's not bothering them.

A few more deaths of poor folk? PPpffffftttttt!

Thanks for understanding! It really does hurt!

:hug: :loveya: :hug:

[Breeze54]

11. I don't agree.

The rethugs have been pretty damned harsh on cutting back on social problems
against poor people. They don't care about anybody!! Look at their track record!

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines07/0206-04.htm">Bush Slashes Aid to Poor to Boost Iraq War Chest

Published on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 by the Guardian / UK

Bill for Iraq conflict will soon overtake Vietnam

· $78bn squeeze on medical care for elderly and poor

by Ewen MacAskill

President George Bush is proposing to slash medical care for the poor
and elderly to meet the soaring cost of the Iraq war.

--------------------------

Congress Approves $2.9 Trillion Budget


http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2007/05/17/ap/washington/d8p6h8ig1.txt">Congress Approves $2.9 Trillion Budget

By ANDREW TAYLOR Thursday, May 17, 2007

WASHINGTON -

Majority Democrats passed an important test Thursday with approval of a $2.9 trillion budget plan
that promises big spending increases for party priorities such as education and health care.

The budget blueprint sets a course to produce a small surplus in five years by assuming that many
of President Bush's tax cuts would expire. Putting the budget framework in place also sets up veto
confrontations with Bush over increases for domestic programs.

The nonbinding measure for the budget year that begins Oct. 1 does not go to Bush for his signature
or veto. Rather, it sets parameters for Congress to follow when writing tax and spending legislation
later this year.

The House passed the measure by a 214-209 vote without a single Republican voting for it. The Senate
quickly followed on a 52-40 vote; moderate Republicans Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine
joined with Democrats.

The measure moves to bolster domestic programs whose budgets Bush has curbed
and lets expire tax cuts that have benefited upper-bracket taxpayers.

"The budget rejects the misplaced priorities of the Bush administration, which wants
to hand out tax breaks worth $150,000 a year to those making more than a million dollars,
while making deep cuts in education and Social Security benefits," said Senate Majority
Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

snip--->

Democrats promise to extend $180 billion worth of tax relief aimed at the middle class.
That includes a 10 percent rate on the first $12,000 of a couple's income and relief for
married couples and people with children.

Republicans faulted the Democratic plan for failing to address looming shortfalls in benefit
programs such as Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid.

Spending on such programs increases automatically with inflation and as new beneficiaries
become eligible.

[bobbolink]

13. I don't get your response. You're calling me a RW sympathizer?

This thread was about higher gas prices NOT getting people to cut back on driving, remember?

My response was that LIBERALS keep talking about raising gas TAXES to "cut back on driving".

It doesn't matter to liberals that those who use the most gas AREN'T going to cut back, and POOR PEOPLE WILL SUFFER.

YOur response of telling me how horrible the RW is just doesn't compute.

But, if after all this time, you want to reach back for that old, "Well, then vote for the RW", then I just give up.

[Breeze54]

12. You should contact your reps in CO!!! Make a stink about it!

DemNotes - The Blog for Colorado Democrats by State Party
First Vice Chair Dan Slater - mailto: [e-mail]

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http://www.coloradodems.org/

http://coloradodems.org/content/view/533">Get Involved! Volunteer Sign Up!

http://coloradodems.org/content/view/484/76/">Contact Your Local County Democratic Parties

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[calimary]

14. We ALL need to make a stink about it.

Sometimes it's hard for people in poverty to push the kind of activism that's needed. If they don't have a car, it's hard to get to somebody's office to lobby in person. If they can't afford a phone, or worse - that they don't have a home where that phone might be sitting next to the sofa over there, then it's impossible to make a call.

This is one of those really gnawing ones.

On one hand, the argument is reasonable that if you push the prices up, and fewer people can afford to drive, well fine - that solves SOME people's problems. There's less traffic, fewer people clogging the roads, easier commutes (which in some cases saves gas if you're not sitting there idling in traffic for an hour or more), less pollution, and more people are motivated to save, buy fuel-efficient cars or hybrids, and push their reps for more sensible transportation and energy solutions. And it might also lead to gas prices coming down as producers and retailers try to lure pissed-off consumers back to the pumps again. All good things in one respect.

BUT.................

That leaves somebody out.

It leaves out the poor who really have no choice AT ALL in this. They're screwed no matter which direction they turn. The poor - who need the jobs and the way to get to those jobs the most - will be screwed here.

It's a two-pronged problem. Energy AND transportation issues are intertwined. ANY dispute or problem or difficulty can only be resolved if everybody wins something, if there's something for EVERYBODY. If those of us who can afford it could be motivated to limit our driving, AND more sensible, affordable, and plentiful transportation solutions could be found, that would cover the broader needs involved here. Perhaps if the transportation dilemma was dealt with first, the rest, as far as gas prices and traffic and everything else would take care of itself.

The simplistic answer unfortunately involves another form of "trickle down." And we've had more than enough of that already. I wish somebody among our candidates, or among our office holders, would step up and tell all those who've fed at the trough so lavishly and steadily for the past 6 - 7 years to step back and let somebody else take his/her turn there for awhile. Not everybody can always be first in line. Not even the oil companies. Especially since they've already had MORE than their fair share. We've all "helped" them PLENTY. I wish we could focus, as a nation, on moving somebody else up to the front of the line for a change, and for awhile maybe.

[bobbolink]

16. Gee, you're soooo right. I've never done a goddamned thing in my life!!

Nice to know it's all up to me, and all I have to do is put up with "liberals" who think adding gas taxes will save everything.

It's really too bad that you can't grasp just how bad my situation is, and think I have so much time and energy to burn on more liberals.

[Deja Q]

9. Barrier? Or milestone?

:evilgrin:

[SCDem]

15. I've cut back as much as I am able

I do lots of driving for my job - driving to different schools and organizations.

But my driving habits have definitely changed. I drive a hybrid and used to be mildly content with my 44-46 mpg. Well now I never drive over 60mph and am very conscious of my fuel efficiency and now I average 52-53 mpg. But I am not able to cut back my work driving.

I do try to walk to parks close by or to stores/restaurants with my son rather than to drive to a park far away.

[sproutster]

17. Oh BS... I've completely changed my lifestyle

Today as a matter of fact I bought a bus pass. I ride my bike to the bus stop and load my bike and take the bus to work.

Hell, I even bought a coffee cup holder for my bike. It can be done people.

Hell froze over at work and a co-worker is looking around for a car pool.