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When it comes to the cost of a gallon of gas these days, it certainly doesn't seem to be the case that "it can't get any worse." We grumbled when it got to $3, winced when it hit $3.40, cringed when it hovered at the $4 mark, and now we're seeing prices in the $4.40 range at pumps all over SoCal. And, in true trend-setting fashion, our high gas prices have finally inspired the rest of the country to catch up; the national average is now over $4 a gallon.
The high price of fuel needed to get around this sprawling city is taking a toll on the quality of life for many individuals, running the gamut from curbing spending on recreation and luxuries to having to sacrifice some basics. For some, what's being shelled out of their pockets now might be affecting the rest of their lives, as savings dwindle and a comfortable retirement seems out of reach.
Although many folks are noticing less traffic on the whole, day after day our freeways and surface-street arteries are clogged with cars paying the price not only in the gas tank but also in mental health to hurry up and go somewhere only to get stuck in traffic. Of course, if you think you might be headed for an in-vehicle breakdown (mental or otherwise) anytime soon, make sure your cellphone is set up to dial out that vital SOS cry of help hands-free! Of course, you could always ride the Metro (just be sure to brush up on your manners), or get a scooter... but it's so darn hard to text message when you're steering one of those things...
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Watching Dragnet (1987) on cable this morning.
Dan Ackroyd cuts through a gas station. The price? 71 cents!
Gas, from the turn of the century, to 1987: 71 cents.
20 years later: $4.71!
I'm tired of saying "Something is wrong". What do we all need to go, collectively, to get a proper investigation started?
The solution is not making gas cheaper.
The solution is mass transit.
The solution is alternate forms of energy.
I agree with Markland. It sucks that its more expensive now. But I think its kind of what we need to start considering other much needed options. Gas is 4.59 for regular by my house on the westside, and it definitely got me taking the bus to work a lot more now. My new goal is to possibly only use my car on the weekends now.
Problem with living in LA is that many of us have no other option when we work 25+ miles away from home and there is not efficient public transit to commute. Before I moved to LA, I didn't even own a car. I took public transit or rode my bike. If they allotted a couple of lanes on the freeways to scooters, I'd definitely be on one everyday!
How bad do you all think it will get? There doesn't seem to be any end in sight. What will people do when it hits $7.00 a gallon or even higher?
I'm wondering what our country will look like in ten years. Maybe this will change our whole society. For example, people who live in Seattle won't be able to eat salads in December. People in L.A. will have to start living closer to where they work. Maybe kids will even have to start walking to school, instead of being driven to and from in their mom's gigantic SUV's.
Is it possible that this might be a good thing? Better for the planet? Better for our waistlines?
I think I'm going Amish and getting a horse and buggy.
Really interesting column on Slate.com
(http://www.slate.com/id/2191491/). Its premise is that Americangas has been too cheap for too long. Adjusted for inflation, Americans in the 1920s were paying more than $3/gallon. And most other countries are paying way more for gas, as well as car maintenance and parts, than the U.S. Basically, the price of gas finally caught up with us.
Two quotes:
"Given the ever-increasing global demand for oil products—during the first quarter of this year, China's oil consumption jumped by 16.5 percent—and the increasing costs associated with finding, producing, and refining crude oil, it makes sense that today's motorists are paying more for their motor fuel than their grandparents and great-grandparents did."
"On the environmental front, people concerned about greenhouse-gas emissions should be cheering today's oil prices. Expensive motor fuel is the only thing that will lead consumers to use less oil and make the switch to hybrid vehicles, smaller cars, and public transit. Higher oil prices are convincing automakers to change their fleets."
Interesting, to say the least.
Forget the personal hardship of high fuel.
Trucks bring in our food, and other goods. The high gas price will affect you, even if you are a bike rider. Maybe not at the pump, but you will feel the pinch.