Gas Crisis? Huh?

[CNF2002]

After hearing nothing about gas price increases for the past two weeks on my favorite news media sources (mainly cnn.com), I sat down and did a minute of fuzzy math.

Gas is up 25 cents to a national average of 2.91. This is being hailed as a crisis, the public is writing in to the news saying they have been changing their lifestyles just to buy gas. The democrats are crying fowl claiming price gouging.

Whether the gas prices should be as high as they are or not, I fail to understand the impact. If you're driving a gas-sucking SUV every day and spending $200 a month on gas, the 'two week' price increase now costs you $217.18, $17.18 more, or 3 Grande Iced Mocha Non-Fat No-Whip Upsidedown Cappuccinos.

To spend $200 you have to be driving around 1200 miles a month, or 38 miles a day, so 19 miles each way (commuting only) - in a 15mpg SUV.

So the 'lifestyle' cost of an SUV driver is 3 trips to Starbucks, less for the average car driver.

Yet they have videos of people going into pawn shops to buy gas money, crying they cant afford to drive to work anymore, and generally complaining that life is going to end because of skyrocketing gas prices.

Am I missing something?

[rapidblue]

the problem isn't that it's risen x amount over the last two weeks it's that is been rising constantly for a long time.

Not 6 years ago I remember gas being at HALF of what it is now. That's the problem.

[CNF2002]

Isn't it also true that gas has historically failed to raise in price along with inflation of everything else? Anyone know what gas prices should be if they increased with inflation from the price in 1950?

Of course, not including that gas is very different than it was in 1950, with various additives now included, demand also being much higher, with new costs associated with delivery systems, etc.

And gas prices doubling over 10 years should not affect anyone this seriously, especially since that gives folks plenty of time to slowly adjust to the changes (by driving less or choosing more efficient vehicles). No one is complaining about that, they're complaining of the recent hike.

I question the hike also, especially with record profits. We need an investigation and (in my opinion) federal regulation of gas prices. But that issue aside, I don't see what the media hype is about.

[rapidblue]

I do agree that if the oil companies are now making record profits, then these so called crisis' such as hurracanes are not really affecting them as much as they lead us to believe.

[2wheel]

Am I missing something?

Its a media term called "Sensationalizm". It's just news blown out of proportion to keep the viewer glued to the TV.

Yes, the price of gas has gone up. It always goes up. It will continue to go up.

Aren't you glad you own a bike?

[Jamers!]

Gas is up 25 cents to a national average of 2.91

the cheapest within 20 miles of me is 3.23. Oh man 2.91 would be nice.



JWF

[TechTMW]

The cheapest near me is Euro 1.35 per liter.

That's $7.12 per gallon.

So, If I may say ... stfu. Thank you.

[Jamers!]

The cheapest near me is Euro 1.35 per liter.

That's $7.12 per gallon.

So, If I may say ... stfu. Thank you.

holy balls, why such a jump i wonder



JWF

[dieziege]

Most of that $7+ is taxes.

[DivideOverflow]

All they need to do is hold a riot or two to remove the gas taxes

Storm the parliament!