$7 a gallon Gas Hike: Coming Soon!

[Todd]

Who needs toilet paper?


YouTube - Japanese Toilet

Darn...

I was hoping for a demonstration.

 

[phill4paul]

Who needs toilet paper?


YouTube - Japanese Toilet

LOl, Danke I actually used one of these over in Japan back in '85. Strange to say the least and I still used toilet paper after the cycle just because it was so bizarre.
I also worried about what would happen if there was a water hammer and increase in pressure during the wash cycle.

 

[unklejman]

1. Legalize hemp farming
2. Buy a deisel powered car.
3. ??????
4. profit!

 

[andrewh817]

The average commute time by bicycle, assuming you were going that 15-16 mph the entire time (which you won't be), would be an hour. You forgot to factor in climate when you talked about whether or not people would trade in their cars for bikes. When it's over 100 degrees outside, and humid, with a high chance of rain in the afternoon... people don't really like to bike to work. When it's freezing, snowy, and there's a high chance of ice... people don't really like to bike to work. When it's raining all day... people don't really like to bike to work. When they work somewhere that requires the transportation of equipment to and from work with them everyday (laptop, briefcase, suit jacket, dress shoes)... people don't really like to bike to work.

Add in the "culture of driving" in the US, and I still stand by my assertion that the bulk of the populace will not suddenly switch to biking to work, or for that matter to get groceries, take their kids places, take roadtrips, etc..

Respectfully, I think you're underestimating the vastness of what's going to hit this country, especially in California which is where I live. You say that most of the populace isn't going to switch and that may be true.......... until the point when people are dipping into their savings accounts just to get gas for work and back.

You mention getting groceries, taking their kids places, and taking roadtrips. You're going to see all three of these things become less and less common, and I'm already starting to see the second two in my area decline.

 

[EndDaFed]

I normally wouldn't approve of such things, but I think it's needed considering the fossil energy shit storm that is just around the corner.

http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X13.../publications/others/pdf/Oil_Peaking_NETL.pdf

Here is a ton more information about how fucked we are in terms of cheap energy in the coming years.

http://fabiusmaximus.wordpress.com/peak-oil/

Not only has global oil production peaked in March of 2005, but natural gas (2020), and coal (2025) will do the same in the not so distant future. It looks like global oil production this year will finally start to decline. We have been on a plateau of sorts for the past five or so years.

 

[Jeros]

Respectfully, I think you're underestimating the vastness of what's going to hit this country, especially in California which is where I live. You say that most of the populace isn't going to switch and that may be true.......... until the point when people are dipping into their savings accounts just to get gas for work and back.

You mention getting groceries, taking their kids places, and taking roadtrips. You're going to see all three of these things become less and less common, and I'm already starting to see the second two in my area decline.

That is true, and though I am making an assumption about what you believe by pointing this out, the scenario you describe likely wont be averted no matter what federal policy is or isn't implemented, so there is no reason to worry about it. It is just another factor that should be prepared for. Of course everything out of Washington is silly, counterproductive, and politically motivated. Lets just add this tax to the list.

The reason I point this out is because many people are complaining that a bunch of us don't care too much about the possibility of a giant gas tax because it doesn't affect us, but it isn't so much that it doesn't affect us, but that it doesn't change the overall economic outcomes all that much. Its just another edict of a dying giant. The most prudent action a person could take is to just move out of the way as not to get crushed as the giant falls.

 

[Wolverine302]

Growing your own garden is going to be rough when its 15º outside. . .
The next step would be to stock up on canned foods.

 

[MelissaWV]

Respectfully, I think you're underestimating the vastness of what's going to hit this country, especially in California which is where I live. You say that most of the populace isn't going to switch and that may be true.......... until the point when people are dipping into their savings accounts just to get gas for work and back.

You mention getting groceries, taking their kids places, and taking roadtrips. You're going to see all three of these things become less and less common, and I'm already starting to see the second two in my area decline.

Maybe they're home schooling, which would be more awesome for everyone. If people are dipping into their savings for gas, they have issues, but you are right. There are too many folks who'd rather do that than give up their gizmo du jour. Perhaps people will ride a bike an hour each way to work in the Florida/Arizona/New York/Louisiana (etc.) weather and risk their lives on non-bike-friendly routes... but somehow I still doubt it. We'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[Liberty Star]

Can't put a price tag on freedom. In the end, G-d will bless those who start wars..