I don't want to see consumption go up, but I do want to see prices stay down. I don't use more fuel when it's cheaper, but I do have more money left out of my paycheck. :D

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ronn_Bman:
Why is it that during times of armed conflict (involving the US) in the Middle East the price of gasoline in the US drops below $1 a gallon?<hr></blockquote>


They said that there is a lower than normal need for Oil.. I guess less people flying or something.. I would think it would go up, with winter coming and heating oil and all..

It's $1.02 here.. Lowest in 6 years!

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ronn_Bman:
I don't want to see consumption go up, but I do want to see prices stay down. I don't use more fuel when it's cheaper, but I do have more money left out of my paycheck. :D <hr></blockquote>

Me, I ride my bicycle and so I never ever have to pay for fuel, road tax, MOT, repairs, insurance, and all them other whatnots. Cars' so expensive to run, don't know how anyone manages to do that and eat as well..... [img]smile.gif[/img]

Don't know how it works in America - but in Britain, I'd like to see public transport vastly improved, and more people get rid of their cars altogether. Unfortunately, the government doesn't think that way. Privatising the railways (major screwup, culminating in big egg on face) has turned out very expensive, and services are worse than they ever were... Now they want to do the same with the tube. Great. Something doesn't work, so you go and do the same thing all over again.

Personally, I'd like to see fuel prices go up and up and up and up, with public transport, car sharing schemes and so forth being enthusiastically promoted by government. Most people wouldn't agree with me, as our prices are already way higher than almost any other country's.

So hey, let's all suffocate in the fumes, whilst global warming marches on. (Who's going to trot out Lee Raymond this time.... [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] ) What's a mythical future compared with convenience NOW? Give me convenience or give me death, as the Dead Kennedys sang so sweetly and so appropriately. Ha.

The problem in America is that most of the country isn't urban. Public transportation just doesn't work in my rural county (county not country). We do have a county operated bus, but there is no standardised route. You call and make appointments. I don't see how a system could be effected here (my county) that could get everyone where they needed to go when they needed to go without being plagued by waste.

I do know that in Europe gasoline prices are much higher than in the US. Please don't wish higher gas prices on me :D If the price here quadrupled or quintupled, I'd have problems buying food for my kids.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ronn_Bman:
The problem in America is that most of the country isn't urban. Public transportation just doesn't work in my rural county (county not country). We do have a county operated bus, but there is no standardised route. You call and make appointments. I don't see how a system could be effected here (my county) that could get everyone where they needed to go when they needed to go without being plagued by waste.

I do know that in Europe gasoline prices are much higher than in the US. Please don't wish higher gas prices on me :D If the price here quadrupled or quintupled, I'd have problems buying food for my kids.<hr></blockquote>

Yes, rural is the same here. No transport to speak of except a bus once a day. I understand completely that a car is necessary when you are way out of the city! I live in a small town, so a bike is fine. When I lived in London, it was also fine not to have a car, as there is loads of public transport, and the streets are so gridlocked that it takes longer to get places by car than it does by tube.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ronn_Bman:

Please don't wish higher gas prices on me :D If the price here quadrupled or quintupled, I'd have problems buying food for my kids.<hr></blockquote>

I don't think you have to worry about higher oil prices for a while. Two separate events this past weekend are being taken as clear indications that Russia is ready for a price war. First of all, Moody's bumped up the rating for Russia's debt...that should let Russia both borrow more money to fund any budget deficits as a result of falling oil prices, and allows them easier access to funds from international monetary organizations. Second, the Russian national budget that was just passed at the end of last week had a price of $12 per barrel factored in (the price right now is $18...and falling).

The only thing that might keep prices up is if the US decides to load up the National Strategic Reserve...and I don't think that will cause an increase...rather just slow the rate of decrease.

I expect that you will have well-fed kids Ronn. [img]smile.gif[/img]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ronn_Bman:
Why is it that during times of armed conflict (involving the US) in the Middle East the price of gasoline in the US drops below $1 a gallon?<hr></blockquote>

In Australia during the Gulf War prices skyrocketed.

Can't say what happened this time.

In NZ the price is skyrocketing....damned gas companies using the war as an excuse for more money.

I remember 9-11 and 9-12 the gas prices skyrocketed at several stations here (in MO). Then the city governements in the Kansas City area stepped in and threatened prosecution if it continued as there was no factual basis for raising the prices so drastically (it went for just over a dollar/gal to, in some cases, $4.75/gal!). Some stations were simply gouging. Indeed, a few were prosecuted! and several actually offered refunds to customers.

Now it's .98/gal for unleaded--a whole lot better! And that price has held steady for several weeks now.

We live in a town of 335 20 miles from anywhere, and I wish we had a bus even once a week!