Gilded Highways

Sticking one???s head into the sand and continuing our wasteful expenditure of oil is irresponsible and devoid of all reasonable intelligent thought. There is a finite amount of oil, whether it runs out this year, next or in 200 years is irrelevant, the point is that it is finite, and if we do not find ways of conserving what we have while we await the promises of bountiful cheap alternative sources of energy, then perhaps not yourself, but quite possibly your great, great, grandchildren will be reverting to ox carts for transportation. I do not believe anyone posting here is advocating that we switch to 100% mass transit systems (as, unfortunately, some of the hard line ???give me my road??? posters seems to believe). There is a place for Mass Transit and there is a place for cars, they are not mutually exclusive, anyone that wants to pay $100 to fill up their tank to get from Point A to Point B, rather than pay, say $30, for Mass Transit, has the freedom to do so. It is ignorance to think that mass transit can be used in the midlands, where you have small population density, but then, are these the people that are responsible for the majority of our fuel use ? Of course not, it???s our metropolitan centers where you have hundreds of thousands of commuters traveling back and forth to work every day, using precious fuel. I???d suggest that some think tank can determine a reasonable population density figure that would support mass transit and plans should be implemented by the government to start building mass transit post haste in those identified sites. Considering that Iraq has already cost in excess of 600 Billion dollars, the same investment in Mass Transit would have been more productive in that it would have been a long term investment in our future. Side benefits of Mass Transit are reduced pollution, more bang for your buck due to the monthly cost saving of not having to fill your car at >$80 a pop (this is an ongoing saving, rather than the pitiful attempt by our current administration to boost the economy by a one time stimulus check). Mass transit would most certainly help the housing market by making suburban housing more attractive and would probably reduce the trade deficit (due to the high price of oil) which could potentially strengthen the US dollar.
Rather than bemoan the loss of jobs (mom and pop Quick Lube stations, truckers, etc.) let???s focus on a sustainable future. I???d dare say that every great development in civilization has initially resulted in a loss of jobs (I???d propose that the development of machinery put many a man out of work) , but we carry on, it???s just a blip in the page of history.

Posted By: don'tbedumb @ 08/03/2008 02:08:47
Comment: Those "mom-n-pop" businesses can bite my non-polluting bum! They kill the earth, as do you. I don't. Get it? We have an emergency and you can think of nothing better than citing the "open road"? God help us all for suffering fools like you.

Hot dog!!! don'tbedumb is a ripping and a tearing.
I see you may not have a car. To busy protesting to hold a job? While you're hugging that tree, reach over and give Mt Pinatubo a slap on the back. I recall it spewed about 10 times the CO in our atmoshere than mankind has ever produced. I,ve been enjoying those magenta sunsets for the past 17 years.
Don't lose site of the issues. There is a place for mass transit, Alt. fuels and hybrid cars. It's not the total solution to the energy issues at this point in time.
I remember a time in Texas, were a High Speed Rail between Dallas, Houston and San Antonio was proposed and started, never completed. This was to reduce travel conjestion between the cities. Just to show I don't completely opose you, I thought it was a pretty sharp idea. The notion here was that we still had the right to chose. The government was not taking away our cars and forcing us to use mass transit.

To gab-in-texas: I see that the business that put you through college must have provided you with a pretty good job and salary for you to be able to afford the gas to enjoy the "open road". And you probably drive a Hummer. As a struggling college student, I applaud the cities and states daring to follow most of Europe's example to provide mass transit systems that are actually available and affordable to us "liberals".
P.S. Where exactly are you suggesting the U.S. start domestic oil production?

gab-in-texas, I'm wondering what businesses outside of auto parts stores support "the auto owning public" exclusively. Honestly, does saving the planet or providing poor little you with "an open road" carry more weight? Hmm.\

More domestic oil production would be disastrous for future generations and you selfish gits in Texas know it full well. And to any who actually think that granola-munching pedestrians and bicyclists don't pay for the roads, you're mistaken. They do in their local and federal taxes. Gas isn't the only thing taxed, you know.

Talk about stabbing in the back one of the economic engines that drive this country. To totally offset driving cars(as some subjest) with mass public transportation, you would damage the core businesses that support the auto owning public. In Small Town, USA where I live, that wouldn't be a hand full of businesses lost. It would be dozens upon dozens. By the way, one fed, clothed and put me thru college.
As for this countries troubles, I do believe government and big oil have lost their way in taking care of the American peoples long term interest. For sake of tax revenues and hugh corporate profits, We were forced down the road of cheap foreign oil that would not last. And when it came to a head, the fix is a sharp swing to mass public transportation? Well I think that's a lil to late.
As for the fix? America must return to domestic oil production which is what made us a great nation to start with. Push the oil and auto industries to develop alternatives for our future. Never let them forget. Apply mass public transportation where it would count the most. Out elected officials should be smart enough to figure this out. And give me an open road, for that is where I'm truely free.

I hope you all remember these are not free roads they are paid for with your tax dollars. The government does not want alternative form of transportation on the roads because they haven't figured out how to tax them. So when you drive an electric car on the roads you are subsidised by the people you use oil burners. Remember this the government only can give what it takes from some one else. It is a parisite on the hard working americans.

"A car in every garage" Thats what the saying was back when cars started being pushed on our grandparents and great grandparents.. Just like cell phones and video games are pushed on us today.
People, if you don't NEED a car, don't buy one! There I said it. As a nation we were led off track years ago by a bunch of business men who wanted to get rich. And oh boy did they.
Well enough is enough. Its time we got back to getting around the way that best preserves our resources, or nation, and our world.
Just think, the feds will be out of the transportation business. HAPPY DAYS! No more of this crap from Washington.."Well if you want $20,000,000 for your highways your gonna have to adjust your driving laws to the way WE want them". "Not that wer'e telling you how to run your state or anything."
Boy, I'm getting more excited the more I type! Hey lets bring back trollys! You know, those little trains like they got in San Francisco? The ones that don't use ANY gas? YEA THOSE! And we could walk our fat asses to Mcdonalds. OOPS! getting off the subject. WEll we could do more walking and become more healthy as a nation. This in turn would help lesson our health care cost. MY GOD! the potentials are endless!
I think we should use Manhatten, NY, NY as a testing ground to a large metropolis where no cars are allowed. Other then fire, police, delivery ect .. nothing else. No private cars. Just public transportation and thats it. Think how quiet it would be. I'm pumped!

Well, if the government wants me to drive more, I'll make sure to drive as little as possible! That's the best reason I've heard yet to cut back!

If the government would get off their collective butts and stop pandering to the oil companies and come up with a cohesive alternative energy plan, maybe we could make progress. The idea of government not doing their duty to the citizens that vote them into office and pay their wages is due for a profound overhaul. We have HAD it.

..................................................Why is Gasoline Conservation constantly not talked about everywhere when the price of gas comes up???? Look around and see the wasteful types of vehicles that Americans using on the on the road......look at how Americans are driving the vehicles that they own....lots of speeding above the speed limits....lots of "lead foot driving" with speed bursts to pass other drivers to show "who is boss". Drivers make those Drag Strip Starts from traffic lights to get an ego charge and show off for others.
The American Automobile Manufacturers and Oil Companies have been seducing us into buying the highway toys they sell and make big money on for 60 years or more.......they want us to live it up and burn more petroleum and have our thrills on the roads with their products.....fun, fun, fun. Unfortunately this folly can not last and we are going to go bone dry with our petroleum in the future unless other options are found.
The thing to do now is to accept a more moderate lifestyle in relation to our vehicles NOW!!!!! We can change quickly and see a difference made if we lower the speed limits on the roads and highways and choose vehicles that offer much improved gas mileage. Too many Americans are selfishly wanting to get their thrills on the roads instead of enjoying all of the good things of life in other ways......make a choice that will work!!!!

Can't read your name but the person that says an oilman is running the country is right. We need to get off our addiction to foreign oil. I'm tired of watching everyone else get rich off of us while we now struggle to pay our bills and these gas prices. Don't get seduced by the sudden lowering of gas prices. Don't forget not that long ago $3 a gallon was a lot of money for gas. The best solution to this energy crisis and getting off of oil is gasification although the media does not like to cover it. Why I don't know. It's not some expensive technology like they say but a gasifier can be made in one weekend out of recycled parts. You gotta check out the social network on gasification www.VictoryGasworks.com.
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You really want to know why the government wants you to drive more? It's because an oilman is running the country, with so many facades in place to guard his investments that no one could possibly track them down. Give it to him - he had to "represent" for the oil industry, and he has - in spades. Go to alternative energy sources - solar, wind, etc. It's possible, because it's being used now, in different parts of the world. This time, America's bringing up the rear on the technology and energy fronts, instead of leading the way.

5 Democrats (moderate) and 5 Republicans (moderate) have come together to discuss our current energy crisis. They have come up with ERA of 2008. ENERGY REFORM ACT of 2008. Under the leadership of Senator Conrad (D-ND) and Senator Chambliss (R-GA), today, they submitted a bill that is fully paid and offers a BALANCE of Finding More US oil, Funding alternative energy, and conserving energy. It will open up the southern eastern offshore - but NOT around FL nuclear weapons testing area and NOT WITHIN 50 miles of FLORIDA COAST. It will be funded by levying ROYALTIES on all offshore drilling. (Not just minor lease payments)

This is the only WIN-WIN solution offered on the Senate floor in the past 1 1/2 years.

Please contact your Senators to support the ENERGY REFORM ACT OF 2008, by Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.).

Skallywag:
I agree with you entirely. At least 60% of both party officials are either extremists or corrupt. There are at least 31 Democratic Senators and 30 Republican Senators who are either out-and-out corrupt, extremists or just working for special interests and lobbyists. Both sides spew propaganda and the population eats it up.

It's time we use our common sense and start reading between the lines. As long as we have only 2 major parties, life in the USA will NOT get any better. It's time for third parties who are FOR the people emerge. Defeat the party leaders on both sides. Defeat most of the chairman and ranking members of the various committees. Defeat those who refuse to work across the aisle when it comes to issues that directly relate to the people of this country. Defeat those who do not allow discussions and amendments of major bills.

Enough of the tactics of Bush and the extremist Democrats who only believe "IT'S MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY". Vote out or impeach the whole batch.

Obama's solution for the high gas prices, "Go to Jiffy Lube."

The extremist Democrats in Congress have a new plan to help with the high gas prices. They will initiate new regulation on the tire manufacturers to boldly put PSI on all tires (regardless of the vehicle that you drive) and Congress will give all residents in the US a free tire gauge.

What's the extremist Democratic solution for the higher gas prices causing less money in the highway fund coffers? They are going to propose an ADDITIONAL $0.10/gallon federal tax increase. Logical thinking, right?