Another link to a long but very interesting article about the world's dependence/the depleting supply of crude oil.
So the GOP put out an "energy plan" yesterday that includes a $100 rebate to all taxpayers to "help offset the rising costs of gasoline." It also proposed to stop deposits into the strategic oil reserve for 6 months, even though Bush himself says that our addiction to oil is a matter of National Security, and so we better do something about it.
Ok, so, first of all, stopping our deposits into the SOR is going to help us how when we decide to invade Iran (on matters of National Security, of course), and we no longer have as much oil available to import? Hmmmm, seems like if we are worried about the security and possible threat that the very places we import oil from pose to us, it doesn't really make sense that we are not instead bolstering our supplies in the event of a conflict. Also, "experts" liken the move to rearranging a deck chair on the doomed Titantic. Ain't gonna matter when this ship sinks. It will save us 30k gallons/day but we use something like 21m.
But I want to go back to that first thing, the $100 rebate. Let's be perfectly realistic here. The VAST majority of Americans are somewhat stretched as far as the financial condition is concerned. The reasons are neglible, but anyway, our society is also now, for the first time ever, at a NEGATIVE savings rate. That's right, we are spending every last dime we have, and then putting the rest on plastic, and not thinking at all about the future. So........... what is gonna happen when good 'ol Uncle Sam comes through with 100 spanking new dollars for everyone over the age of 16 who pays taxes? Is it going to go straight into their savings account, to be used for gas in the SUV or Ungodly Huge Pickup truck? Is it going to buy a weeks worth of groceries for the family? It's possible. But more likely, the out of control American Consumer is gonna spend that hundred bucks on "something special", or a treat because they've been so strapped, and hey, look, I didn't have to even work for this! And then what? Gee, thanks, Congress, you guys REALLY helped us out!
Maybe the dems can come up with something better....
***sidenote: IF the republican energy plan DOES pass, and I get the $100 check, it's going straight to my bicycle! And I'd also like to say thanks everyone for the advice (and warnings about drinking while biking). Elliot, I trust your judgement about the Target bike. Gerald, we will be able to eat ALL the food we want and not be fat (just look at Elliot!) if we ride! Yep, we're gonna tear up the d-town! And Kathy, I think you have the best idea (and Elliot probably knows you are right, even if it pains him!). Somewhere like REI is probably a happy medium for someone who is only gonna be using it to cruise Forest Park, and get to the metro station. I am planning on taking my bike with me on the train, and there are safely placed bike racks at school to use...plus Elliot told me about the right kind of lock to get. AND, I live on the first floor and have a nice empty room to put my bike in at home. Now I want everyone to hold me to this. I need to do it before, lets say mid-may? Thanks you guys!
2 comments:
I was hoping you'd chime in. You're right, they ARE making big money. But not all of it is coming directly from the prices of gas. A substantial amount is being contributed by the government with subsidies and tax breaks out the a**. And as far as the public stopping driving, well, that isn't gonna happen any time soon. We CAN encourage the use of alternate forms of transit, alternate fuels, hybrid vehicles, etc.
All of this seems to be common knowledge, but the kicker is getting people to even do anything at all. I plan on at least leading by example-after all, the only person we really have control over is ourselves. And you can't really complain about something and then just not do anything about it.
Call me idealistic, but I'm not alone: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that does" - Margaret Mead, Anthropologist
I agree that people stopping driving will bring a halt to the extravagant savings in the oil companies and unfortunately I do see a time when that will happen... notice how more people call in to work when the price of gas gets to high, I don't know what the magic number is, but soon many people won't be making enough money to actually off-set the cost of going to work...
on another note, I hope your biking endeavors turn out better than mine (been waiting for my bike to be fixed for over 2 years now so I can ride it again- guess who said he would fix it:) )
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