Last week I told you all not to pump and dash — don’t steal gas. I also opined about monster trucks sucking up the supply and driving up costs. So, I figured since I called out the Hummer/Navigator/Escalade drivers, I thought I would be lambasted by them.
Like most of my assumptions, I was wrong. Here are some of your responses to that column. See what you think.
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Hey, Don!
You are right on the money with the people crying about the gas prices.
The one-day gas revolt would never work. A week long one would hit the gas companies? pocketbooks. If everyone would carpool or take the week off and stay home or find alternate means of transportation, then the companies might get the message.
Also, people should at least go the speed limit. I drive 70 on the freeways and people pass me like I am standing still. How much extra gas are they using to get there 2 minutes quicker?
You may want to not use the s_ _ _ y word, since there are much better words to use and, being a newspaper man, may want to expand your vocabulary or at least use a better word for the young and old and middle who read your column.
May your week be blessed!
Barbara vK
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Don,
Just finished reading your insightful article. In my line of work I have financed gas stations over the years and I can verify your conclusion that ‘stealing gas will not stick it to the man, just your neighbor.?
You also mention in your article the ‘laws of supply and demand.? People talk about free enterprise in defense of the obscenely high prices, however, what about the obscenely high PROFITS that the Exxons of the world are reporting?
Our government is supposed to protect the people from MONOPOLIES! Where is our government now?
If the oil companies were reporting modest profit gains (5% – 7%) I wouldn’t be complaining but, right now, they are raping the public while using the war and anything else that happens as an excuse. Monopolies are going to further separate the rich from the poor — our middle class will cease to exist.
You probably can’t do anything either, but at least I’ve had a chance to say something to somebody!
Thanks, Pat T
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Don,
Enjoyed your article this week, felt I had to comment on a couple points.
First, the gas companies are public corporations owned by millions of shareholders. When these corporations make record profits it goes into the pockets of Mr. and Mrs. Average American. It is not concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy people. The shareholders take this profit and buy goods and services with it and we are all better off.
Second, the reason for the high gas prices is like you said, a supply and demand problem, but not for the reasons you listed. The reason for the price increase is that the supply pipeline for gas is only so large and it is at full capacity right now.
The only way to increase the pipe is to build more refineries and we haven’t done that in the last 30 years. Thank the environmental movement for that one.
So next time you watch Al Gore running around touting his global warming film, make sure you explain to your readers how he is, in part, responsible for high gas prices.
Bryan R
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I did respond back to all, and to Bryan I ask: Isn’t Al Gore covered? Hasn’t he bought enough indulgences from the Church of Green so he can crisscross the globe via jumbo jet, live in more than one mansion and, well — tell us what we need to do and think?
And, while I am not a Gore supporter, he makes sense in that we can all save, use less and still be happy.
To Barb: I like the s _ _ _ y word, it’s one of my favorites. The word (turn away Barb): sucky.
To All: This weekend marks the summer travel season. You can save gas by vacationing at home. Experience and shop your hometown.
Happy Memorial Day.