Gas

[Vance]

Very true. There is no train or bus service in my town. I have to use my car.

Sometimes Europeans have a hard time understanding the vastness of the United States. Everything in Europe is close by. Except for some cities, everything in the United States is spread far apart. Even our country is divided into different time zones. Our country is not "cozy" like Europe.

Well, they can built the railroad, bus routes, etc etc... in your location. I get this feeling that some Americans don't want to give up their energy-wasting lifestyle. I think some Americans have a hard time understanding the rich opportunity of technology that USA had.

But again, there was some tax cuts time to time, I don't see how they can built the railroads, bus routes, etc etc.. In other words, gas problem will be always hover around many Americans' heads for years untiil either way, they finally destroy themselves with their irresponsibility of not preserving energy & waste and environment to get in order to rebuilt the society or competent Admin to take a action and clean up these mess.

I believe that 'former' is more likely to be occur. However there are some ways to make this incompetent Admin to take a action by having people to pool their resources & energy and send this current Admin several tons of complaints and such to require them to do something about it. In some ways, sometimes it takes millions of people to make some changes.

Frankly, I don't understand why some people like to complain or making some excuses instead of taking some actions *shrugs*

Americans, on the other hand, are much more mobile, our cities are still growing, our economy has not stablized yet (because America really is a very young nation- only 300 or so compared to England, wh ich is thousands of years old), and our infrastructure is very different. We always had the luxury of cars, so we could always just set something out there and know people could get there somewhow. Europeans did not have that luxury.

You have a point but there is one thing that Europeans don't have. The luxury of opportunity to learn their errors. Americans do. Europe is right there for any Americans to study and change their lifestyle or develop the technology to provide the better access & transportation system for people. But seem that oil corporations have the voice to change or not while common people don't. Or people allow oil corporations to neuter them either way.

History repeatedly shows that 'local' system always work, never ever fail in any situation.

 

[diehardbiker]

Well, I once like VW, but not anymore. Their quality has been degraded considerable since 1998 (After they outsurcing jobs to Mexico!). Anyway, these cars are designed very well with speed though curves! But would I buy it again? I don't think so!

I am now sticking to Motorcycles and PU trucks. (Oh never mind about the gas! I know it all along )

K75, your description over Europe is so prefect because you know the comparison between America and Europe.

I can´t compare anything because I never touch America in my life. I would say something if I know.



Yes, that´s right. I began notice that there´re more of Germans use "mini" BMWs, Mercedes, Audi, VW now.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Well, they can built the railroad, bus routes, etc etc... in your location. I get this feeling that some Americans don't want to give up their energy-wasting lifestyle. I think some Americans have a hard time understanding the rich opportunity of technology that USA had.

But again, there was some tax cuts time to time, I don't see how they can built the railroads, bus routes, etc etc.. In other words, gas problem will be always hover around many Americans' heads for years untiil either way, they finally destory themselves with their irresponsibility of not preserving energy & waste and environment to get in order to rebuilt the society or competent Admin to take a action and clean up these mess.

I believe that 'former' is more likely to be occur. However there are some ways to make this incompetent Admin to take a action by having people to pool their resources & energy and send this current Admin several tons of complaints and such to require them to do something about it. In some ways, sometimes it takes millions of people to make some changes.

Frankly, I don't understand why some people like to complain or making some excuses instead of taking some actions *shrugs*

*nodding agreement* Yes, you has a good point... I´m agree that it´s meanfuling to build more railroads, buses, etc. I was surprised after read some of posts here that they don´t have any trains, metros, buses enough because I never visit America in my life... until you made your post here... Yes, it´s logical...

 

[Vance]

I forget to add one more thing:

We always had the luxury of cars, so we could always just set something out there and know people could get there somewhow. Europeans did not have that luxury.

Not true. Come over with me to Sweden and I'd love to show you around to see how Swedes did with their social life. Transportation system in Sweden is quite excellent and as I mentioned in one of topics that Swedes had ridiculed me for making a suggestion that they need cars to make their life easier.

However I do plan to buy a swedish car once I move to Sweden.. since I still do have this 'American' culture that digged a deep root inside me

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Yeah, it´s not just Sweden but many countries in Europe, too. I can understand about your experience in Sweden how you compare with America lifestyle.

 

[Vance]

Yeah, it´s not just Sweden but many countries in Europe, too. I can understand about your experience in Sweden how you compare with America lifestyle.

Yeah, I agree that countries in Europe do have that opportunity as well as Sweden do. But I cannot compare since I never visit anywhere in Europe beside Sweden and Denmark however someday I will

Edited: Added Denmark to the list.

 

[Reba]

Well, they can built the railroad, bus routes, etc etc... in your location.

Have you ever been to the Lowcountry? No? Then how do you know they can build a railroad here? You don't know anything about the geography of this area, the population, etc.

Even if there was a system, some people have jobs that don't allow them to hop a train or bus. Even as a terp, I am on call, my schedule can change in a minute, and I sometimes have to "live" in my car (eat, sleep, make phone calls, bring a change of clothes, etc.). I work in three different counties. My Hubby has a business that he operates from his van (also throughout three counties). He can't use a bus. My son-in-law works nights, and uses a trailer to haul his equipment; he can't use a bus. People who work for FEDEX, UPS, and other delivery companies can't use a bus. Landscapers, exterminators, house painters, etc., can't do their work with a bus.

We have a railroad here that connects to other cities and states, but it doesn't make local stops.

 

[Vance]

Have you ever been to the Lowcountry? No? Then how do you know they can build a railroad here? You don't know anything about the geography of this area, the population, etc.

Even if there was a system, some people have jobs that don't allow them to hop a train or bus. Even as a terp, I am on call, my schedule can change in a minute, and I sometimes have to "live" in my car (eat, sleep, make phone calls, bring a change of clothes, etc.). I work in three different counties. My Hubby has a business that he operates from his van (also throughout three counties). He can't use a bus. My son-in-law works nights, and uses a trailer to haul his equipment; he can't use a bus. People who work for FEDEX, UPS, and other delivery companies can't use a bus. Landscapers, exterminators, house painters, etc., can't do their work with a bus.

We have a railroad here that connects to other cities and states, but it doesn't make local stops.

I quoted my previous post as reference:

I think some Americans have a hard time understanding the rich opportunity of technology that USA had.

With our current technology level, there is ALWAYS a way and you already know that, Reba. Or Tony Robbins said it best: "There's always a way - if you're committed." Speaking of "I-know-my-location-and-you-don't-know-mine" crap. It is quite odd for you to say that to me when you said in your another post:

Sometimes Europeans have a hard time understanding the vastness of the United States.

Indeedy...

My point is that USA do have higher level of technology or so they claimed and why not they just combine their brains & technologies to solve it instead of kissing oil corporations and their asses? Or simply move to other location with friendly transportation system. Have you ever think about that one? Well?

For several months (before Sweden trip), Nas and I had been thinking to move out of southern California to Davis, California but we realized that transportation system in Davis is not exactly good so we choose to stay here and deal with gas prices. Actually I was planning to exchange my jeep for gas-conserving cars like Honda Accord but Sweden trip changed everything.

I'm not talking about 'only bus'. I was talking about any kind of vehicle that we invented/created or we will invent/create in the future. You see, in the late 20th and 21th century, America has been ignoring or neglecting the biggest & important structure of any kind of socities -- Local. Local is the key to solve the whole of this mess. Local farms to cut down the unnecessary transportation (trucks, freights, heavy duty airplanes, etc). Usage of gas/oil will drop in significant range. That is just one local system. Imagine if we do that with clothes, materials, essentials, etc etc. Usage of gas/oil will drop in incalculable range. We lost nothing but gain lots of new jobs, boost economy, list go and go on.

With Karina crisis, groceries are getting expensive because of gas/oil due to massive non-local transportation system. But with local farms that I usually bought the foods from didn't change the prices at all.

Now, back to your previous post that I'd like to point out:

Except for some cities, everything in the United States is spread far apart.

Honestly, they set themselves up for that mess. It is highly probable that they don't know what they were doing but right now they know the solutions that has been laying on the table for few years. It is no excuse for them to ignore anymore but unfortunately they just did.

Local system is the fastest and easiest solution to solve this gas problem. Being blind to that solution or take a action is entirely up to Americans. How we buy control their decisions & economy. If we stop buying, they will change their lifestyle or methods fast. If anyone keeps complaining and buying their fuels or didn't do anything about it then they set themselves up for that mess like our previous generations did. We people are the power. Corporation or Government isn't.

I probably will be flamed for this and no offense to everyone but making some excuses are so passé. Taking a action isn't.

 

[cady75]

Not really, America is the oldest industrial country. Sure England, Europe, Even china is much older than us, but we were first in many things, especially automobile. We started trains, airplane, motorcycle, etc. etc. etc right here in America, other countries copied from us, learned mistakes from us. Believe it or not, NYC has the world first subway! On other hand the culture, your right America is one of the youngest country on culture and lifestyle.

Exactly!

We had the first cars, etc: so we just laid it out on our really wide acreage and made a really wide grid and everything and went from there. Back then, we had nothing, so we built around the roads, trains, etc:.

In Europe, everything was already set up so they build the new infrastrucure about what was already there. So, the transportation infrastructure there are built for local usage.

And yes, we need to change things in america, but even if trains and all that were much better connected and public transportation were much more widely used, we could never give up cars. America is just TOO big. I remember visiting HOlland and people ther ewre so shocked to find out that I would have to drive three days from where I lived to where I grew up just to see my family. To them, it was unbelievalbe anybody would have to drive for three days to get somewhere, unless they wanted to go to another country in another region in the world.

That is the point. America ciovers several regions in several parts of the world!

 

[Tousi]

Yeah, I agree; we are a highly mobile society, especially here out West. I don't think its fair to compare this issue with Europe. We are who we are and, although, I think we can change a few things here and there, I think we will stay pretty much the way we are.

Some of the arguments offered here and in other topics have irritating, socialistic-leaning overtones that are odoriferous. Dang,Alex, where's the "horse-poopy" smilie?

 

[webexplorer]

Do you have any idea that make the motor runs with some kind of liquid without using gas? Some liquid that can explosive just like a gas. i.e. vodka, pure alcohol, etc.

Do you have an old junk car that you could test (experiment) with some type of liquid to see if the motor able to run? We are so sick of depending on gas all the times.

I think that many gas companies do not want us to know about other kind of liquid that can be run on the motor. Who knows.

 

[diehardbiker]

Hey everybody who thinks America needs to do better with public transportation. Here is the hard truth, Amtrak, the national railroad company that covers entire network of railroad in the America. They are LOSING money EVERYDAY, and that gov't have to step in and fund them. Amtrak's only profitable route is the Nor'Eastern corridor that connects from Bawsten and Washington D.C. Yes, the rest is LOSING money! So, HOW can they improve if they are losing money??? Back in early 20th century, America was attempting to have better network of public transportation, but guess what happend to them? Most of them were abandoned because of lack of fund! Sure we can ask Gov't to fund them, but that would mean sharp increase of taxes, will we accept that? I don't think so!

There is NO easy solution at this time! PERIOD.

 

[Liza]

No offense and y'all do have my sympathies about the higher gas prices, but how can you guys be worried about the gas prices at a time like this?

 

[Tousi]

No offense and y'all do have my sympathies about the higher gas prices, but how can you guys be worried about the gas prices at a time like this?

I'm not concerned about gas prices just now; why I haven't gotten gas in the last 4 hours so I don't know what the current price is!

 

[Reba]

...With our current technology level, there is ALWAYS a way...

Technology is not the answer to every problem. You can't leave out the natural and human elements.

... Or Tony Robbins said it best...

Ha, ha. You mock me when I quote the Bible, but you quote Tony Robbins.

...Speaking of "I-know-my-location-and-you-don't-know-mine" crap.

I am not personally familiar with the terrain and demographics of Sweden, so I wouldn't presume to tell them how to set up their transportation infrastructure. You are not personally familiar with my area's terrain and demographics, so you shouldn't presume to tell us how to set up our transporation.

Yes, the USA is vast and diverse. "One size fits all" transportation solution doesn't work here.

... Or simply move to other location with friendly transportation system. Have you ever think about that one? Well?

Well? There is more to life than a "friendly transportation system". Why should I have to move just for that? People with families, homes and careers can't "simply move to another location" just for easier transportation. There is no perfect place on earth. Running away from a problem is not always the solution.

I'm not talking about 'only bus'. I was talking about any kind of vehicle that we invented/created or we will invent/create in the future.

If someone invents a van and equipment that runs just as well on another source of energy, I am sure Hubby will consider buying it. In the meantime, he, and many others, have to use what they have.

Local. Local is the key to solve the whole of this mess. Local farms to cut down the unnecessary transportation (trucks, freights, heavy duty airplanes, etc).

That's great if everything could grow everywhere. Obviously, not every land is fertile, and not every climate is right for farming, especially year round. That might work for southern California, but that doesn't work for most of the rest of the country.

There are plenty of small local farms around the country but they are not enough to feed everyone in every location.

...Imagine if we do that with clothes, materials, essentials, etc etc....

I hate to break it to you, but each locality doesn't have iron ore, lumber, fish, seafood, natural gas, water, cotton, etc., for producing clothing and other essentials (such as your computer).

...But with local farms that I usually bought the foods from didn't change the prices at all.

Good for you. Not every one has access to year-round fresh produce.
Even a local farmer has to get his produce to market, either in a truck or horse-drawn wagon.
How do you feed the big cities?

... If we stop buying, they will change their lifestyle or methods fast.

What are you willing to quit buying that is not produced locally? Computer software and hardware? Books? Toilet paper? Lab equipment? Digital camera? Motorcycle? Medicine? Bandaids? Paper? Ink? Flying overseas? (How much fossil fuel does a plane use?)

 

[Vance]

Some of the arguments offered here and in other topics have irritating, socialistic-leaning overtones that are odoriferous. Dang,Alex, where's the "horse-poopy" smilie?

I personally think anti-socialistic-leaning overtones tend to be a sign of ignorance


Reba, well ok. As I said in my previous post, people set themselves up for that mess. If you want to stay in your location then fine but I sincerely hope that you wouldn't complain about gas prices if you didn't do anything about it.

What are you willing to quit buying that is not produced locally? Computer software and hardware? Books? Toilet paper? Lab equipment? Digital camera? Motorcycle? Medicine? Bandaids? Paper? Ink? Flying overseas? (How much fossil fuel does a plane use?)

Sure. If it helps society in any way then sure. What else why I'm rooting for Native American culture and their way of life? That says all really.

Added: The fact remains that making some excuses or complain about gas prices does NOT change anything.

 

[Reba]

...If you want to stay in your location then fine but I sincerely hope that you couldn't complain about gas prices if you didn't do anything about it.

Should we all move to southern California? Would that help gas prices?

You really don't know what I am doing to reduce my gas consumption, so I can complain about gas prices. Not that it is your business, but I recently got rid of my precious Durango, and cancelled my summer vacation trip.

Sure. If it helps society in any way then sure.

I guess you won't be taking any more trips then, huh? That would save fuel and "help society".

 

[Vance]

Should we all move to southern California? Would that help gas prices?

You really don't know what I am doing to reduce my gas consumption, so I can complain about gas prices. Not that it is your business, but I recently got rid of my precious Durango, and cancelled my summer vacation trip.

Have I ever telling you what to do? As much as you did, I merely made some arguments and apparently that you were offended by mine while you hoped that no one will not engage you into these argument you made of?

And you also really don't know what I am doing to reduce the energy-wasting problem as well. Like it or not, we are in the same boat.

I guess you won't be taking any more trips then, huh? That would save fuel and "help society".

Hence why we are planning to move to Sweden and stay there for good. I'm not running away. I made a strategic choice for my will-be family or our future's sake since this incompetent Admin messed up everything in America especially environment and I'm getting worried about Nas and my health (and our future children). If you don't see that way then that's your problem, not mine.

You made your choice to stay in wherever you are and I have massive respect for you. I know I never tell you what to do. I merely stated that people set themselves up for these mess. Nothing more. I didn't say or even talk about you.

 

[Vance]

Sorry for double post.

Reba, frankly I would think that you already know by now that I always like to poke your beliefs or your politics to engage you into any kind of arguments. In other words, whatever I said may or may not what you think of me.

 

[Liza]

I'm not concerned about gas prices just now; why I haven't gotten gas in the last 4 hours so I don't know what the current price is!

LOL! I didn't mean to be a wet blanket to anyone with my statement. I'm just a bit rattled... right now. I'm giving myself a break from certain threads such as this one that I don't feel right for me to get into while I'm feeling rattled. Deal?