Letter of the week, 2/2/08: Solution to high gasoline prices

[David]

Eat oil!
Editor:

The price of gas is way out-of-line for what we should be paying. Gas should be going for just about $1.50 a gallon, and no more.

The other day I was on my computer looking for low gas prices on the Internet. I found that oil-producing nations are selling oil to us at about $128 a barrel. We sell grain to them at about $7 a bushel.

There is a very simple solution to this problem: We sell them grain at $128 a bushel. If they can't pay the price, then we tell them to eat their oil. The price of oil will come down quickly when they have no grain to eat. We don't need them. Our farmers here in the US can grow enough corn for us to eat and to make fuel with, also.

Corporate America and the Big Oil Companies may not like my idea because of their greed. There is only one color that matters to them, and that’s GREEN!
TOM COSS, MERIDEN

[RC12L4]

Eat oil!
Editor:

The price of gas is way out-of-line for what we should be paying. Gas should be going for just about $1.50 a gallon, and no more.

The other day I was on my computer looking for low gas prices on the Internet. I found that oil-producing nations are selling oil to us at about $128 a barrel. We sell grain to them at about $7 a bushel.

There is a very simple solution to this problem: We sell them grain at $128 a bushel. If they can't pay the price, then we tell them to eat their oil. The price of oil will come down quickly when they have no grain to eat. We don't need them. Our farmers here in the US can grow enough corn for us to eat and to make fuel with, also.

Corporate America and the Big Oil Companies may not like my idea because of their greed. There is only one color that matters to them, and that’s GREEN!
TOM COSS, MERIDEN

"We can run our cars on corn, man. Puppies and rainbows for everyone"
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http://members.cox.net/rc12l4/hippie.gif

[Anna]

Ethanol isn't the answer. It is not the best technology and it is affecting food prices. Its a boondoggle for farmers. The law of unintended consequences. The government is destroying us, not the oil companies. The government now wants a Cap and Trade System. It will tax and hurt energy companies without finding alternative methods. How is that an answer? We need nuclear, coal, solar, wind etc. I don't know if we will be able to get ourselves out of this mess. Washington is a nightmare. They have ceated the problems we are experiencing now. Let companies drill and explore, while we invest in alternative energy source. We can do it. The government just needs to get out of the way!

[Fit 2 Print]

I enjoyed Tom Coss's witty observations. However...

Energy experts are predicting that heating oil for those of us living in the northeast will easily exceed $5 per gallon for the forthcoming heating season.

If so, average heating oil consumers who use around 1,000 gallons per season, even with lowered thermostats, may be paying $5,000 per year, just for oil. Then, of course, there are numerous households who use 1,200 to 1,800 gallons of heating oil per season -- or, up to $9,000 per season!

While it may be true that many of those living in larger-scaled homes will somehow find a way to afford these HUGE heating bills, many will suffer, both financially and, in the case of the elderly, from being too cold, month after month.

What's to be done about it?

[Modica]

Doesn't look like much will be done.

[eds]

I blame country music.

[RC12L4]

Doesn't look like much will be done.

Maybe we should start drilling where all the hippies don't want us to. You realize the tree hugging hippies and their "love everyone" attitudes are the only ones happy about high fuel prices? Isn't that ironic, the very folks they fight for are the one hurt the most by high fuel prices?

[collie]

Unfortunately, no one listened to the tree huggers thirty years ago or alternate fuel sources would have been developed. Kind of getting too late isn't it to still be blaming things on the hippies.

[Modica]

It seems that 30 years ago we were much smarter than we are today. We were driving smaller cars, driving 55 and discussed alternative energy sources. What happened? Even if we start drilling in Alaska today, it will be 10 years before we see any benefit, that is, if we see any benefit at all. And maybe RC is correct, because all those hippies became yuppies in the 80's and wasn't that when we began to drive bigger cars once again and having a serious energy policy became a thing of the past.

[Modica]

I blame country music.
LMAO. You don't like Hillbillies?

[RC12L4]

Unfortunately, no one listened to the tree huggers thirty years ago or alternate fuel sources would have been developed. Kind of getting too late isn't it to still be blaming things on the hippies.

You mean like nuclear power?

[RC12L4]

It seems that 30 years ago we were much smarter than we are today. We were driving smaller cars, driving 55 and discussed alternative energy sources. What happened? Even if we start drilling in Alaska today, it will be 10 years before we see any benefit, that is, if we see any benefit at all. And maybe RC is correct, because all those hippies became yuppies in the 80's and wasn't that when we began to drive bigger cars once again and having a serious energy policy became a thing of the past.

Americans have never driver smaller cars

[eds]

LMAO. You don't like Hillbillies?

I was reading an article in American History magazine in which they describe the 1930s interviews with former slaves. Many slaves felt that if they had a great master they were better off as slaves. Interesting also is that there were classes of white folks, according to one former slave interview. The classes were divided into three types. The aristocrats who were large plantation owners, large slave owners, powerful movers and shakers basically. Then the next class were the highly educated managers who were not very wealthy but wealthy enough to afford a few slaves. Then came white trash who were poor, not educated, and did not work. Just so you know they called them white trash, not me, that was what they called them back then. The slaves were actually considered to be above white trash back then. In fact, the slave owners did not want the slaves to even associate with white trash because it was believed that the white trash would teach the slaves how to be lazy and steal from their masters. Many today believe that the white trash influence has caused the demographics of crime today to be so skewed toward black folks.

So yes I blame country music.

[Modica]

I was reading an article in American History magazine in which they describe the 1930s interviews with former slaves. Many slaves felt that if they had a great master they were better off as slaves. Interesting also is that there were classes of white folks, according to one former slave interview. The classes were divided into three types. The aristocrats who were large plantation owners, large slave owners, powerful movers and shakers basically. Then the next class were the highly educated managers who were not very wealthy but wealthy enough to afford a few slaves. Then came white trash who were poor, not educated, and did not work. Just so you know they called them white trash, not me, that was what they called them back then. The slaves were actually considered to be above white trash back then. In fact, the slave owners did not want the slaves to even associate with white trash because it was believed that the white trash would teach the slaves how to be lazy and steal from their masters. Many today believe that the white trash influence has caused the demographics of crime today to be so skewed toward black folks.

So yes I blame country music.
That's funny.

[collie]

Did they mention that most interviewers were white and that this tended to skew the results of the slave narratives. The ones done by black interviewers are considered to be the true gold mine because of the dynamics involved.

And to the other question, no I don't consider nuclear power to be an alternative energy source that hippies ever advocated for.

Not so sure the hippies became yuppies, perhaps some did. Yuppies always bought into the system, from my life observations. They were your high school jocks, cheerleaders, cliques, etc. before they became the socccer moms and dads.

As to hippies buying SUVs, I was born in '56 and could be labeled a hippie I suppose, in that I was always anti-establishment. I haven't changed much in my rabble rousing, activist ways over the years.

My first car was obtained at age 29, after I had my first baby. Before that I used a bike for work, groceries, even laundry. Public bus and train, too. But a baby on a bike wasn't realistic so I caved in at that point. Never would I buy an SUV; it is contrary to my values, not to mention ugly.

[RC12L4]

Did they mention that most interviewers were white and that this tended to skew the results of the slave narratives. The ones done by black interviewers are considered to be the true gold mine because of the dynamics involved.

And to the other question, no I don't consider nuclear power to be an alternative energy source that hippies ever advocated for.

Not so sure the hippies became yuppies, perhaps some did. Yuppies always bought into the system, from my life observations. They were your high school jocks, cheerleaders, cliques, etc. before they became the socccer moms and dads.

As to hippies buying SUVs, I was born in '56 and could be labeled a hippie I suppose, in that I was always anti-establishment. I haven't changed much in my rabble rousing, activist ways over the years.

My first car was obtained at age 29, after I had my first baby. Before that I used a bike for work, groceries, even laundry. Public bus and train, too. But a baby on a bike wasn't realistic so I caved in at that point. Never would I buy an SUV; it is contrary to my values, not to mention ugly.

Come on I saw you just last week rolling around in one of these:

http://media2.yourdailymedia.com/images/FNdDeJCc.jpg

[Fit 2 Print]

I was doing some research, and found that current heating oil prices in CT are between $4.50 and $5.39 per gallon around the state.
With some energy analysts predicting per-gallon prices about $5 for the 2008-09 heating season, many average-sized homeowners will be looking at oil heating bills of around $5,000! (Especially those who have oil-fired water heaters, as well.)
When this jump is added to gasoline's soaring levels, consumers are in for a dubble-whammy, yes?

[RC12L4]

I was doing some research, and found that current heating oil prices in CT are between $4.50 and $5.39 per gallon around the state.
With some energy analysts predicting per-gallon prices about $5 for the 2008-09 heating season, many average-sized homeowners will be looking at oil heating bills of around $5,000! (Especially those who have oil-fired water heaters, as well.)
When this jump is added to gasoline's soaring levels, consumers are in for a dubble-whammy, yes?

Time to buy sweaters and install fireplaces.

[eds]

Natural gas!

oh and collie I don't if they mentioned the nationality of the interviewers. They did mention that the accuracy of the interviews were highly regarded. Perhaps there was some skewing, but it is believable. Once the slave were free, they essentially had no training, no jobs, no opportunities. Many stayed where they were causing some white folks to be accused of not freeing their slaves and having their homes and lives destroyed.

anyway...not a topic for this thread...it's about high prices of petrol.

[collie]

Fireplaces won't help - the heat goes up the chimney.

[Fit 2 Print]

I like natural gas, too, when it's an option. Sadly, many people do not have it available on the street where they live (or, if they do, it costs a bundle to bring it into the house and to supply the necessary plumbing and gas heating equipment).

So, for folks with larger homes (i.e. 2,000-3,000 sq. ft.) who require sufficient energy to heat the buildings for their families, how WILL they afford oil if gas isn't an option -- especially if oil exceeds $5 per gallon next year???
They'll get clobbered if they try to sell their homes in this down market...

And, Collie is right -- fireplaces are for SHOW only. The heat goes right up the flue, and continues to do so LONG after the fire dies out... And by the way, natural gas is NO bargain, either! It used to be, but not now. Ouch!!

[RC12L4]

I like natural gas, too, when it's an option. Sadly, many people do not have it available on the street where they live (or, if they do, it costs a bundle to bring it into the house and to supply the necessary plumbing and gas heating equipment).

So, for folks with larger homes (i.e. 2,000-3,000 sq. ft.) who require sufficient energy to heat the buildings for their families, how WILL they afford oil if gas isn't an option -- especially if oil exceeds $5 per gallon next year???
They'll get clobbered if they try to sell their homes in this down market...

And, Collie is right -- fireplaces are for SHOW only. The heat goes right up the flue, and continues to do so LONG after the fire dies out... And by the way, natural gas is NO bargain, either! It used to be, but not now. Ouch!!

I'm buying stock in turtlenecks as I type this.

[collie]

Sweaters and sweatshirts for Christmas!

[eds]

I like natural gas, too, when it's an option. Sadly, many people do not have it available on the street where they live (or, if they do, it costs a bundle to bring it into the house and to supply the necessary plumbing and gas heating equipment).

So, for folks with larger homes (i.e. 2,000-3,000 sq. ft.) who require sufficient energy to heat the buildings for their families, how WILL they afford oil if gas isn't an option -- especially if oil exceeds $5 per gallon next year???
They'll get clobbered if they try to sell their homes in this down market...

And, Collie is right -- fireplaces are for SHOW only. The heat goes right up the flue, and continues to do so LONG after the fire dies out... And by the way, natural gas is NO bargain, either! It used to be, but not now. Ouch!!

My gas bill total for the winter didn't get over $800. Neither did my electric. I guess if you have oil, you're pretty much screwed. That is why I never would have bought an oil heated house. And I didn't.

Wood stoves are best for heating with wood. I used one in a cabin in Montana and it went to over 80 deg. F with just one quartered log.

Rumford fireplaces I understand offer the best in efficiency.

For those without nat gas hookups, what about propane?

[navyvet]

We are not being allowed to drill for the billions of barrels of oil and the trillions of cubic feet of natural gas in are own country. Now, why would politicians want to do that to Americans?
How about drilling with American rigs built and Manned by American workers. Seems like that would solve several problems.

[navyvet]

How cold will we be in 10 years if we don`t start drilling in America, immediately?

[eds]

We may be forced to do just that.

[Wills46er]

When we were back in Meriden in May for a family visit, gas was at $3.87/gallon, then $3.93 and had moved to 3.99; all within 8 days. Out here on Vancouver Island, B.C., the price was, at that time, $4.68/gallon. Today the price was, once again, raised. This time by 3 cents to 139.9/liter. Multiply that by 3.785 to obtain the U.S. gallon equivalent and you get $5.29. The difference exists chiefly through higher taxes. The last fill up of our rented Nissan Pathfinder was at the BP station on East Main Street next to the former Lane Construction offices. When I first started driving in March 1966, the station was run by Amoco. Gas was $.28/gallon. That's a lot of water under the bridge and more than a few roads traveled. LOL!

"186,000 miles per second; it's not only a good idea, it's the law." ~ A. Einstein

[Fit 2 Print]

Just wait until the fall when those reliant on oil to run furnaces and water heaters at over $5 per gallon wed that EXPENSE to ever-rising gasoline prices.
Taken together, it'll be a direct his on the wallet that hasn't been felt yet as the focus seems to be entirely on gasoline.
With heating oil prices above $5 per gallon already in CT (Fairfield County currently at $5.69 per gallon), the financial pain is about to increase, and sharply...