"JimH" wrote in message
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"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in message
...
"Tim" wrote in message
oups.com...

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"Eisboch" wrote in message
. ..

Do you know what cracks me up about some of the various views
expressed
about fuel prices?

It wasn't too many years ago that those with more left leaning
political
views were concerned about the high consumption rate of gasoline in
the
USA, it's continued supply and it's artificially low price per gallon
compared to the rest of the world. Conservation was preached,
encouraged
and some even advocated raising the price of gas to force further
conservation and the use of smaller, fuel efficient autos in order to
reduce demand.


Fast forward to today and it seems that the same people are now
blaming
big business greed and politicians lining their pockets for the
natural
increase in prices.

Can't win.

Eisboch


The problem with preaching conservation is that the suggested methods
usually involve long term solutions. I wonder what would happen if a
real
president with some balls said the following during one of his TV
appearances:

"I can fund research until the cows come home, but we might never find
solutions which make every type of vehicle more efficient. And, at some
point, you have to stop looking for others to find solutions, and
volunteer
to do the one thing that's inarguably effective. Next time you're ready
to
buy a car, be honest, and buy based on your real needs. Stop thinking
that
the only alternative to an SUV is a Ford Focus. Ignore the crap you're
being
told in the commercials. Is the only reason you bought an SUV that you
have
a family of 5 and a week's worth of groceries? Wouldn't a van fit your
needs
equally well? Did you justify the SUV by convincing yourself they were
safer, or that you wanted to be able to see over all the other trucks?
Did
you buy a pickup to haul 3 sheets of plywood just once in the entire
time
you owned the vehicle? Those aren't reasons. I'm not saying you have to
go
out and buy a Prius or a Mini-Cooper. But, how about reducing your gas
usage
by 30%, just by looking at the difference between an SUV and a
mini-van?
(points to chart with 5 car models shown below) We can't create laws to
change your buying habits, and there's nothing I can do about what oil
companies charge for fuel. But, you are capable of having a significant
impact on how much oil this country uses.

If you're not buying a car this year, write to your favorite car
manufacturer and tell them what you want to buy when you're ready. If
they
continue to pile up SUVs at their dealerships, that's their problem,
not
yours.

During WWII, our grandparents planted victory gardens. You can't pick a
better car, in order to help this country? Grow up already."


Toyota Sequoia SUV: 15/18 mpg
Toyota Sienna van: 19/26 mpg
Chrysler Town & Country van: 19/26 mpg
Ford Crown Victoria: 17/26 mpg
Buick Lucerne: 17/28 mpg


Very valid and convincing thought, but *grow up, already* would shoot
it down.


Maybe. But let's face it: It's true. The only way to deny it is to give
many consumers a pass by saying they were brainwashed by advertising,
which is pretty powerful stuff.


Here you go again trying to dictate what consumers can purchase.


Once again, I said nothing of the sort. But, as I wrote the original
message, I wondered if you or someone like you would come along and claim
something was being "dictated". You're very predictable.

You wreck 3 right rear tires in a month. Your mechanic says "You really
should stop grinding them against the curb when you park". Is he dictating?



Everything below is irrelevant to what I said in the original message.

Regarding the advertising, the Big 3 have knocked off attacking each other
and are focusing on "buy American". The problem is that buying American
may mean buying a Toyota and not a Cadillac. It is now a global economy
and one can no longer be assured that the GM, Ford or Chrysler product is
manufactured in the US or that the majority of components are US made.

The Big 3 deserves what is happening to them. Lack of foresight,
management giving the unions whatever they wanted and executives receiving
outrageous salaries/bonus's/incentives have led to their demise. One
example is the new Ford CEO, Alan Mulally (hired on September, 2006 taking
over after Bill Ford Jr resigned) taking in $39 million in salary, stock
options and bonus money for those 4 months. This was after Ford had a net
loss of almost $13 billion in 2006.

They continue to dig their own grave.