| Author | Message | ||
| alembic76407
Senior Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 579 Registered: 5-2002 |
gas has hit a new low -------- $2.76 a gallon in Okla City WOW!!!!!! | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1946 Registered: 10-2002 |
My heart goes out to you americans. Over here, a gallon of petrol costs £4.81 or $8.46 at todays exchange rate ;-( Graeme | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1966 Registered: 6-2002 |
Just across the smaller of the two ponds, in the Netherlands, 1 litre of petrol costs 1.49 euro. A gallon is 3.78 liters, that makes it 5.63 euro/gallon - crunch, crunch - that's very close to the UK price in dollars. Of course that includes all kinds of taxes plus VAT, but that pays for a lot of those public welfare institutions and conveniences that you won't find in the US. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1527 Registered: 10-2003 |
We need a coherent mass-transit system.. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1968 Registered: 6-2002 |
You need taxes before you can even start thinking of that. | ||
| hydrargyrum
Advanced Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 368 Registered: 3-2004 |
Well, here in Missouri at least $0.36 of that $2.76 is taxes. I imagine that is a paltry sum compared to what our European neighbors are paying in taxes, but certainly not insignificant from my perspective. The real tragedy is the way that the automobile industry was able to succeed in removing America's light rail networks back in the late forties. | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 469 Registered: 9-2002 |
"We need a coherent mass-transit system.." This is frequently brought up on another board Im on (macrumors.com)... Outside of major metro areas, mass transit wont work very well in the U.S. Im afraid. | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 507 Registered: 11-2007 |
A small number of extremely selfish and greedy people are becoming unimaginably rich on the back of oil. Production of the gigantic resources of oil are being carefully controlled to keep the price as high as possible. And dont buy into the fear mongering that says supplies wont last much longer, there is enough to last a few hundred years at least (and by then we wont need it any more anyway) Uk prices are completely outrageous - in keeping with the other tax greedy grabbing policies of our weak and useless government. John. John. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1529 Registered: 10-2003 |
These folks are doing it and making money: http://www.megabus.com/us/ I used to live in Los Angeles, and it didn't work very well there either. High fuel prices have changed the landscape considerably though. Light rails between cities and towns would serve us all nicely, and greatly diminish oil consumption. John | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1139 Registered: 2-2005 |
Part of the problem with the intercity light and heavy rail we have now is it actually costs more than driving. When I went to Philly for the RTF concert I had looked into Amtrak since it runs right through Raleigh. The travel time was approximately the same however the fare alone was twice my fuel costs at 20 mpg. Add a rental car on top of that for site seeing and there is no incentive not to drive. All in all taking train costs about as much as it does to fly. When I lived in the Chicago area or have gone back for visits I typically took the commuter train down into the city. It's cost is cheaper than gas and parking not to mention the lower stress of not having to drive in city traffic. It also has convenient schedules. The same is true for Washington DC. We always stay out in the burbs and use the Metro to get around. If they could get intercity service to function like commuter services it would be great. In particular here on the east coast the travel time would be on par with driving or flying. I also think we have the population density to really support it. The thing is they have to bring the cost down such that it makes more financial sense to take the train over the car. Keith PS: To keep to the original subject we are around $3.70/gallon. AAA says we are the highest average in the country at the moment. It is all due to the gas pipeline shutdown from hurricane Ike. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1530 Registered: 10-2003 |
We're at $3.129 in Terre Haute, Indiana.. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 601 Registered: 11-2004 |
white cloud, jacko et al..this is the discussion of friday night drinking in pubs, we put the world to rights but no one listens and look too, our local councils invest money in icelandic banks and along with the rest of the world banks is going into liquidation. It looks like planet earth is going into economic meltdown. But I ask a question..whre does this money disappear to?? does it vanish into the aether?? | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1531 Registered: 10-2003 |
It vanishes into stuff people buy. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 606 Registered: 11-2004 |
811952 - okay we buy stuff but that is tangible, you can hold it, use it. But when the statement 'billions of dollars/pounds were wiped off the stock exchange' where does that go? Okay you have a stock certificate worth so much and now it is less than what you bought it but was worth anything in the first place? Houses are devalued but they are only worth what the market says when you sell and we all need a place to rest ourselves. Like I say where does this hard cash disappear to? It hurts my head..I think I will go back to playing my bass!!!! | ||
| hydrargyrum
Advanced Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 369 Registered: 3-2004 |
I was shocked to hear recently that the way oil is traded amounts to the exchange of virtual barrels of oil. Unlike in the past, the number of barrels of oil in trade may or may not reflect the number of barrels in existence. Its not hard to imagine money simply disappearing if you consider we are trading goods that never existed. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1532 Registered: 10-2003 |
"But when the statement 'billions of dollars/pounds were wiped off the stock exchange' where does that go?" It never ever existed. That's the problem. John | ||
| grateful
Advanced Member Username: grateful Post Number: 285 Registered: 12-2004 |
 | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1947 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hey Mark, long time no see. Cool pic. Graeme | ||
| grateful
Advanced Member Username: grateful Post Number: 286 Registered: 12-2004 |
Couldn't resist it. Hopefully, it won't offend anyone! | ||
| precarius
Advanced Member Username: precarius Post Number: 257 Registered: 11-2005 |
It goes to the same place fat goes when you lose weight. | ||
| alembic76407
Senior Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 581 Registered: 5-2002 |
I had no idea! I feel so much better now! Subject: Understanding the current financial crisis To help you better understand the financial crisis in which our country finds itself, I have attempted to put it in terms common people, like you and me, can easily understand...If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines one year ago, you will have $49.00 today. If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in AIG one year ago, you will have $33.00 today. If you had purchased $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers one year ago, you will have $0.00 today. But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the aluminum cans for recycling refund, you will have received $214.00. Based on the above, the best current investment plan is to drink heavily & recycle. It is called the 401-Keg. A recent study found that the average American walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found that Americans drink, on average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year. That means that, on average, Americans get about 41 miles to the gallon! Makes you proud to be an American! Sir David | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1533 Registered: 10-2003 |
I shall research Sir David's thesis at this evening's gig. SOMEBODY has to make the sacrifice. :P John | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2255 Registered: 9-2003 |
I'm paying around $3.70/gal for Diesel...you know, the "green" stuff that costs 2/3 LESS to refine than petrol, but costs $1/gal MORE because of GREED that benefits NO ONE other than Big Oil. More Taxes? At nearly a 40% taxation rate, I'm among the working class (formerly known as the now-extinct "middle" class) stiffs that pay the bills for the lower and upper-classes. As a DWM new homeowner public employee with no children, I help to pay (mightily, I might add) for everyone's services, the majority of which I get little-to-no benefit from. I should probably start investing in the 401-keg program (As a state pensioneer, I'm legally prohibited from participating in any other retirement investment plan). If I drink heavily, I'll get some recycling "mungo" money in return, and won't be able to think about killing myself (or others), LOL! Cheers, Kevin P.S., Did I mention I've already lost $50k on my new home in the 4 mos. since I've bought it? They were already reduced $70k when I bought, and now my mortgage debt vastly exceeds my home worth. I hope I don't need a home-equity loan to bail myself out...I have no equity to borrow against! (Message edited by kmh364 on October 10, 2008) | ||
| rushfan
Junior Username: rushfan Post Number: 37 Registered: 9-2008 |
speaking of gas prices, i saw on a nbc morning network a guy in nebraska(U.S.A.) was actually drilling his own oil! | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 359 Registered: 10-2006 |
Actually, Kevin, while I despise oil company greed as much as the next guy & hate to defend them, I must point out that a lot of what pushes diesel so high is road-use taxes - most diesel fuel in the US is used by heavy trucks, which beat the crap out of roads; ergo higher taxes on diesel to repair them. Peter Oh, yeah - as of yesterday, we're down to $3.45 for regular in north central Illinois. | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 989 Registered: 11-2004 |
Peter, Quite a few years ago Colorado raised the fuel tax. Colorado became a "no buy" state. Long haul truckers just fueled up before they entered the state and passed through without buying anything. Studies showed that truckers spent something like $50 - $60 on misc goods when they stopped to get fuel. Sometimes ill-researched "good" ideas backfire. Please don't take this to mean that I am a fan of oil companies. Rich BTW, regular gas is $3.41 in western Colorado. | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 875 Registered: 3-2004 |
Remember to look up the taxes put on fuel by all agencies. Also keep in mind that the government just sits back and collects the tax without putting the money into discovery, recovery, refining transport or dispensing. They just collect after all the good stuff has been done. So tax on fuel, roads, sales tax on the vehicles, service, parts, tires essentially everything associated with owning and operating a vehicle. Then think about payroll tax, local, state, federal tax, tax on interest, capital gains, estate tax, death tax and all the taxes connected with conducting a funeral (not including tips for the repast) and you really get an idea of how many times we chip away at the money we earn in order to live the lives we chose in the manner we see fit. The best part is how you work your whole life paying taxes and raising your family, paying for your home and when you leave it and any other assets to your children, they pay more tax on the assets that you paid tax on!, And to think the early subjects of the crown got upset over taxes on stamps and tea! I'm a whole lot more perturbed at the folks who legislate that we give them more on top of what we give them and then tell us we have to adjust how we live and they just can't cut what they spend and then want those who pay the highest percentage to pay more. BTW I decided that I could not afford the bird of prey tailpiece and neck through construction on my newest custom on account of the living within ones means philosophy. Still gonna be a heck of a bass though! $3.75 Bergen County NJ. | ||
| edwin
Advanced Member Username: edwin Post Number: 357 Registered: 5-2002 |
Look for fuel prices to go back up on Nov 6th or so. The same thing happened in 2004 as the election approached. Edwin Still on the road and enjoying the cheaper gas while it lasts. | ||
| jet_powers
Advanced Member Username: jet_powers Post Number: 383 Registered: 2-2003 |
On Nov. 6 or so we'll all be quoting Pete Townshend... "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss." I paid 3.27 earlier this week in north central Massachusetts. -JP | ||
| alembic76407
Senior Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 582 Registered: 5-2002 |
WOW !!!!! $2.29 a gallon today in Okla City | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2257 Registered: 9-2003 |
Understood about the diesel road taxes, but why should I pay them? I'm using my vehicle for personal use only, not for commercial gain, and I'm not punishing the roads. Diesels are more efficient than their petrol-engined counterparts and pollute less as well (now that cats and exhaust scrubbers are mandated). So much for the US Govt. pushing "alt" fuel technology. Unless you need it for commercial reasons and/or hauling/towing, why would you buy a diesel in this country at nearly a $1/gal premium? I bought mine when Diesel was $1.40/gal and gas was $1.90/gal. I am getting nearly 20MPG out of a nearly 4 ton pick-up truck, but at a nearly $8k premium over the petrol version, I'll never break even. (Message edited by kmh364 on October 14, 2008) | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1536 Registered: 10-2003 |
Kevin, your engine will last 3 times as long (or more) as a gasoline engine, and can be converted to run on fry oil. Seems like not such a bad deal to me, albeit the cost of entry into that club is high..  John | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2081 Registered: 4-2004 |
kevin shoot me an email. my friend owns a company that has a patent on a diesel converter/additive that will 1- make your diesel burn at a lower temperature 2- will increase your mileage 3- will lower pollution 4- the additive is good for app 400 hours and then you refill it. its cutting edge technology that we will ramping up as time go by. its a great fit for industrial machinery and there is a lot of interest overseas. also- just for the heck of it- i bought an interest in a company that has a patent for producing ethanol from sources other than corn etc.We are awaiting approval from the ATF which controls ethanol since its an alcohol for our first production run out west at our first plant. (Message edited by flaxattack on October 14, 2008) | ||
| hydrargyrum
Advanced Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 372 Registered: 3-2004 |
Hey Jeff, you wouldn't mind sharing the name of that company so I can check out their webpage, would you? That ethanol plant also sounds interesting. | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2083 Registered: 4-2004 |
no websites yet kevin. we're flying under the radar right now as we build some organizational structures. | ||
| hydrargyrum
Advanced Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 373 Registered: 3-2004 |
That's cool. Keep us posted. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2260 Registered: 9-2003 |
I'd certainly like to save money, but not at the expense of my rediculously expensive Bosch HPCR injection system, nevermind the Cummins ISB it feeds. The OEM's won't stand behind warrantees with biodiesel fuel mixtures, nevermind "pure" veggie oil. Besides the fluctuations in fuel pressure with a fluid of different specific gravity, there's the corrosivity, hygroscopicity (is that a word), rancidity, etc. issues with fry oil versus #2 diesel. If the HPCR (high pressure common rail) electronic injection system falters, the pistons tend to develop large, EXPENSIVE holes in them (NOT GOOD!) Yes, my Cummins is rated at 300kmi MTBO, but the crappy Dodge Ram wrapper around it is not. The truck is literally falling apart after four years of payments and 120k of hi-way miles (no hauling or towing)...it's a 2004.5. I'd be interested in what you have Flax, but the anal ex-pro diesel mechanic and engineer in me has my scepticism horns out in full schwing, LOL! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3321 Registered: 7-2004 |
Bio-diesel YEA!!!! Fry oil Even more YEA!!!! I LOVE driving behind a bus that smells like french fries! hehehehe Bill, tgo | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1962 Registered: 10-2002 |
Having just re-read the electric kool-aid acid test, I'd guess theres more than just the smell of oil coming out of buses in california ;-) graeme. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1539 Registered: 10-2003 |
Rope? ;) | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 1099 Registered: 12-2004 |
Patchouli? (aka: eau du sale hippie) Bradley | ||
| alembic76407
Senior Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 585 Registered: 5-2002 |
$1.92 a gallon today in Okla City, there goes my oil royalties Sir David | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2074 Registered: 3-2004 |
We fell under $2.30 here at the best prices. I wonder if all those travel businesses, like cruise ships, have canceled the fuel subsidies they added when we hit $4? | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2098 Registered: 4-2004 |
2.60 here in ct 2.25 down in md | ||
| alembic76407
Senior Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 588 Registered: 5-2002 |
$1.77 a gallon, whats going on here ? | ||
| new2alembic
Intermediate Member Username: new2alembic Post Number: 101 Registered: 9-2008 |
$1.84 a gallon. It is down 5 cents since Nov 7. |
