In the long run…
Tonight, I went up to Quik Trip to fill up my car for the week and get a couple of fountain drinks. I brought along my 3 mower and trimmer gas cans – a 5-gallon container, a 2-gallon container and a 1-gallon container for the oil/fuel mix that goes in the trimmer.
The total came to $91.20.
After I got over the initial sticker shock, I remembered something I’ve been telling myself since gas went over $3.00/gallon – at least I don’t live in Sierra Leone, where gas is $18.42/gallon. Actually, what I’ve been telling myself is that higher gas prices will hopefully result in something better in the long run.
Here’s what I mean. The United States has long relished in being a favored nation when it comes to petroleum and like with a lot of things, Americans have gotten “fat and happy” with paying the 7th-lowest price for gas in the world (outside of the Middle East). The only places that pay less than us are places like China, which now consumes more gas than we do, and Venezuela, which has communism to thank for that.
The reason that higher gas is a good thing is that it’s finally getting people to care when they go to the pump. And when American people care about something, things start to happen. People like me start to reconsider driving their SUVs and trying to figure out ways to ride the bus. Senators and representatives realize that their constituents are getting angry and for them to get re-elected (the goal of any congressperson), they have to figure out a way to fix the problem. That means leaning on oil companies not to lower prices, but to take their record profits and innovate, which is the what Americans are good at.
They also have to lean on the auto manufacturers who are taking entirely too long to get to more sustainable types of energy to run our vehicles. But Americans are going to have to understand that all of this comes at a cost. In the short term, we may have to pay higher gas prices and that sucks, but in the long run, I think it’s going to be better.
At least I hope so.
6 Comments to “In the long run…”
Vaughn
Ride a bike.
- 8:33 pm on 05 11, 2008
Spyder
Love my Honda hybrid.
- 9:42 pm on 05 11, 2008
Caroline Johnson (Daugherty)
Hi Shane and Alli! Not sure if you remember me, but Shane we were actually fairly good friends at Graceland. Was just surfing the web and came across you! Can’t believe it! Also happened to see Brett and his wife and child from this, too, so really cool! hope all is well. If you remember me and get a chance please e-mail. Would love to hear from you guys! Kids? I was just married in September—-wonderful and loving every minute!
So glad that you are doing well and are in there being a part of it all!
Love,
Caroline
- 10:12 pm on 05 11, 2008
Chimpo
Higher gas prices will just cause the American public to spend less money in other places.
Nothing personal, but people with no kids that drive SUVs pretty much drive me nuts. Seriously what’s that point? Especial those people who drive alone most of the time. It’s like the d-bags who drive heavy duty trucks that have not a scratch from doing a heavy duty workload. Buy a vehicle that suits your basic needs. Gas use is just one of the consumption issues this country has.
- 10:32 pm on 05 11, 2008
Brian
Word to the bike riding. It’s Bike to Work Week, after all! It’s pouring down rain with a high of 49 degrees in DC today, but (shudder) I’m planning on riding home today. At least, I brought my bike and change of clothes to work this morning with the intent of doing so. We’ll see if I lose my nerve later.
- 7:10 am on 05 12, 2008
"Ty"
I agree that it takes a time of crisis for this country to pull together. Its kind of a sad statement but true. However, I don’t think you will see much leaning of Congressmen on the Big Oil. To the public eye, we will see committees and hearings but behind the scenes there wont be much action. Remember… its an election year and running for office takes money. Who seems to have a ton of it right now?
- 10:58 am on 05 12, 2008
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