One big reason why gas is so expensive is that the US demand for gas the last 10 years has almost doubled.  And I blame all those people who have gone out and bought Hummers, and Ford Expeditions, and every other gas guzzling - emissions belshing SUV.  I hate the things, and wish they would put some form of "Gross abuse of natural resources tax" on the damned things.

Agreed! I have no desire to ever own one. Why do people feel the need to drive big bulky @** vehicles? What ever happened to the traditional family-sized car??

Agreed! I have no desire to ever own one. Why do people feel the need to drive big bulky @** vehicles? What ever happened to the traditional family-sized car??


Oh, you must mean those things that were known as "Station Wagons".  I seem to remember seeing them, about 30 years ago.

During the 1980's, they became "uncool".  This was when gas finally dropped after the end of the Carter Administration.  When gas was down to $0.75 a gallon, economy did not matter as much.  At the same time, the "Mini Van" became the thing to have if you were a status-seeking yuppie.  The good old Station Wagon was something your parents had, and of course that was no longer good enough.

During the 1990's, gas stayed fairly stable, and people were making more money.  So of course, the trend was to get something which got even less gas mileage.  After all, if your neighbor had a Mini Van, you had to have a Maxi Van.  Then your neighbor got one of the early SUVs with 2 wheel drive, you had to get an even bigger one with 4 wheel drive.  Who cares that it will never go off-road, you had to have one.

Then there came the Hummer.  Upset that guy cut you off?  No problem, scare the bejesus out of him with a monster so big you can run right over him.  And you can justify them, simply saying you are getting them to keep your kids safe.  Who cares that they are top heavy, and roll over more easily.  And who cares if you kill the mother and 2 kids in the Toyota that you broadsided, at least your kids are safe.

Myself, unless you run a business that requires the large cargo capacity or live in an area where 4 wheel drive is an advantage (Northern Idaho, Alaska) I see no reason to have the damned things.  I am the only person at work that drives anything even remotely "economical".  My boss, his 2 sons, and the other 3 employees all drive either huge V-8 trucks, or SUVs.  They even have a large 4 wheel drive truck to go and make pick-ups at the UPS office every morning.  They could just as easily use a standard Toyota longbed, but that does not look as cool.

And the same goes for heating oil.  Even though it is almost summer, people are going on about how this is going to affect people heating their homes in the winter.  Well guess what, I don't care.  They have had decades in which to change over to something more affordable and less poluting, like natural gas or propane.  But when oil is cheap, who cares about saving it?  Now that it is expensive again, people are starting to whine.

In 1980, a new home cost $75k.  Median income was $17.7k.  Milk was $2.16 a gallon, and gas was $1.55 a gallon.

Today, a new home costs $166k.  Median income is $44k.  Milk is $3.30 a gallon, and gas is $3.00 a gallon.  Seems to me that after adjustment for income, gas costs less then it did 26 years ago.  Milk is also cheaper, and houses cost to much.

Today, a new home costs $166k.  Median income is $44k.  Milk is $3.30 a gallon, and gas is $3.00 a gallon.  Seems to me that after adjustment for income, gas costs less then it did 26 years ago.  Milk is also cheaper, and houses cost too much.

A new home costs more than that out where I live... ::)

Try $300K+

so the admin is trying to lower gas prices by rescinding environmental standards on gasoline. this when half the days during summer around here are already code orange or code red days for toxic fumes.

you don't have to be a member of greenpeace to know that's colossally stupid.

A new home costs more than that out where I live... ::)


That is the "National median" price.  It may be more expensive in your area, but it is cheaper in my area.  YOu can actually buy a new house (3 bedroom 1

If you hate Hummers and SUVs, don't come to Alpharetta, GA.  They're everywhere down here.  I've never seen so many off-roading vehicles in an area where there is no where to go off-roading.  It's obscene.