The Gas Out Scheme

[KiwiJo09]

There is a constant flurry on facebook of invites suggesting that people don't buy gas for one day. Today is one day, and there's another one on the 31st. Except, that after thinking about it and also after doing some research, the gas out scheme does nothing! The people who don't buy gas today will have bought gas yesterday or tomorrow. The same amount of gas is being sold.

Maybe we should start a movement to get people to use more public transportation. For me, it's most cost efficient to drive where I need to go.

[greenskeeper]

Originally Posted by KiwiJo09

There is a constant flurry on facebook of invites suggesting that people don't buy gas for one day. Today is one day, and there's another one on the 31st. Except, that after thinking about it and also after doing some research, the gas out scheme does nothing! The people who don't buy gas today will have bought gas yesterday or tomorrow. The same amount of gas is being sold.

Maybe we should start a movement to get people to use more public transportation. For me, it's most cost efficient to drive where I need to go.

or get a more fuel efficient vehicle, live closer to work, etc. The people who bitch about fuel prices when they move are using too much of a finite resource.

[KiwiJo09]

What about riding a bike? It's healthier for you and it saves you money. I think that's a win-win.

[bjl584]

Gas protest days are a waste of time. As you said, people will have to buy gas eventually. The USA was built on cheap energy. The country is big and spread out, connected with massive interstate systems. People gravitated away from centralized city locations and are now forced to commute long distances to work. Things are closer together in many of the European countries making public transportation and those "micro" cars a viable option. But in the states, those options are not for everyone. There is no bus line if you live 25 miles from a city, and driving a smart car on the interstate next to large SUV's and tractor trailer trucks is a rather scary prospect.

[wincrasher]

How did all our precious oil get under their sand?

Don't worry, if it gets too high, we'll just go over there and kill a bunch more of them and get it back.

Oil is still cheap if you don't add in the cost of ships, planes, bombs, guns and dead soldiers.

[GREENBACK]

I really believe we must tap into our domestic sources. Potentially, we have large amounts of oil at our disposal. The gov't is unwilling to take advantage of this so we have to deal with our "friends" in places like Lybia and Venezuela who know they have us by the shorthairs.

Disasters like the gulf oil spill and Valdez can happen but are repairable and should not prevent us from seeking out these sources. If we drill in the artic their isn't any danger of ecological disaster. The caribou don't care. They hang around the alaskan pipeline that was supposed to completely disrupt their migration patterns....didn't bother them a bit!

The other alternative is to make people extremely rich who, for the most part, hold us in complete contempt.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Last go round with higher gas prices I saw a lot of scooters hit the city streets, people started being more conservative with their car use, and some began to use public transportation for the first time.

Along came the recession with its lower receipts to state and local governments. Bus service in my metro area was cut by 1/3, but lines were restored to service when the federal stimulus to states was provided. Buses are not just a feel-good alternative for some people, nor some kind of conscientious objector choice. They are an economic necessity for some, and for our local economy as well. Now, just as gas prices are again higher, the stimulus money my metro area set aside for public transport is about to be used up.

I was so hoping that circumstances would have convinced the USA to work on alternatives to the daily car run for more of its transportation. Not so much, eh?

I'm personally fortunate to live where I can get by without much car use, except that my DH would have a 12 hour day for a part time job-- if one of the buses he needs would not get canceled. Last time around, it did get canceled... And then there is the burden of increased prices on everything we will buy whether we go to the store by car or not.

[jpg7n16]

I totally agree- the path to lower prices isn't in buying less gas - it's in using less gas.

Car pool, public transportation, biking, walking to those places that are 'walking distance' from your house, etc.

These stupid 'don't buy gas in protest' things just delay the inevitable. Now a don't use gas protest. That may actually do something.


I know people (self included) who at times, drive to places that are walking distance, solely because I'm either in a hurry, or it's just faster/easier to drive. But it'd be better for my pocketbook, my health, and the economy for me to walk.

[greenskeeper]

Originally Posted by bjl584

Gas protest days are a waste of time. As you said, people will have to buy gas eventually. The USA was built on cheap energy. The country is big and spread out, connected with massive interstate systems. People gravitated away from centralized city locations and are now forced to commute long distances to work. Things are closer together in many of the European countries making public transportation and those "micro" cars a viable option. But in the states, those options are not for everyone. There is no bus line if you live 25 miles from a city, and driving a smart car on the interstate next to large SUV's and tractor trailer trucks is a rather scary prospect.

The world economy and our whole way of life was built on cheap energy and infinite growth. Those two things are coming to an end. How things shake out? Who knows...buts it's going to be interesting.

[KennySoward]

Originally Posted by KiwiJo09

There is a constant flurry on facebook of invites suggesting that people don't buy gas for one day. Today is one day, and there's another one on the 31st. Except, that after thinking about it and also after doing some research, the gas out scheme does nothing! The people who don't buy gas today will have bought gas yesterday or tomorrow. The same amount of gas is being sold.

Maybe we should start a movement to get people to use more public transportation. For me, it's most cost efficient to drive where I need to go.

I'm lucky enough to work from home so I don't buy much gas. I'm surprised more companies (at least IT companies) don't promote this more. I guess in that regard my company is rather progressive. But yeah, I live near Cincinnati, home of the subway system that never was.

[khosta]

Well thankfully I got gas yesterday.... it's almost $4 where I live. I'm going to have to start a "gas fund" so I'm sure to always have gas money!!

[97guns]

since i stopped working i can make a tank of gas last almost 2 months, hows that for boycotting

[Frugal]

Somebody said this was about Exxon...anyway, I saw their gas locally for $3.77 on Monday of this week! Higher than anywhere else! Personally, however, I don't think boycotting schemes do much good at all, since the gas companies are so rich independent of demand...

[cameorose]

A friend at work I'll call ramona, said she was going to boycott. So she was going to fill up the day before! Duh? You just bought a whole tank full of gas, that's showing them!!!

[AtoZ]

I'm in agreement with the idea, but the suggestion to not buy gasoline is not the way to go. We shoudl encourage public transportation or ride a bike to work or similar alternative. Stopping for a day just means the buyer goes the following day.

[Frugal]

I think it would be best if everyone rode bikes more (just not on the major roads) and saved money on gas. Gas was $3.70 here today when we filled up.