Is Enough Enough?
I’ve asked the question in the past, “How expensive does a gallon of fuel have to be before Americans say ‘Enough!’” It now appears we may have an answer.
There’s a lot of buzz on internet forums and CB radio channels about independent truckers holding a national “Fuel Shut Down” on Tuesday, April 1st., to protest skyrocketing diesel fuel prices. This could be huge, or it could be a dud (or it could be a colossal April Fool’s joke). There’s no union or cohesive leadership group promoting this event, and there seems to be some confusion about the actual date of the event, but the fact that people are talking about this as a reality says something about how frustrated Americans are by rising gas and diesel prices and our government’s inability to rein in big oil companies and Middle East sheikdoms, both of whom are raking in oceans of money.
Yes, it seems that truck drivers, at least, have said “Enough!” and some of them are ready to take action by shutting down their trucks and disrupting the transportation of vital goods. Will it work? Who knows? No matter how many drivers shut down on the 1st, they’re probably not going to make a dent in the giant American commerce and industry machine, and they may harm themselves in the long run by foregoing the pay they could have been earning. But one thing’s for sure: they have started a conversation, and I predict that, whatever happens on the 1st, that conversation is not going to die down, or go away.
March 26th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I don’t think the Goverment cares about the public,or doing anything about the rising fuel cost.All they care about is the extra money they are receiving in taxes, to pay for the war.With all the money the oil companies make,why is our Goverment still subsidizing them and using our tax dollars to companies who make billions in one quarter,while the public is looking for money to make ends meet.When will the American workers tell our Goverment ,This is the last straw-enough already!
March 26th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
No one person or company has control over our petroleum prices, everyone should be either cutting back or finding alternatives, its a fact of life and a small glimpse of a bigger problem coming in the future for all of us. We have switched all our family vehicles and work trucks to natural gas, a domestic and cheaper American product. We no longer send our dollars overseas to people that want to harm us. We benefit because it also burns cleaner and helps our local air quality as it helps our pocket book. We fuel at home for under $1.50 per gallon.
As we use more alternatives and there is less demand for gasoline, it should help the price come down somewhat. My advice is find an alternative and don’t live in the past, face the reality and make some changes.
March 26th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Haveing the trucks shut down did’t work back in the late 70’s
when we were up to $ 1.80 per gallon.
March 27th, 2008 at 6:26 am
Enough is enough! Why don’t we, every person in the USA, refrain from buying any fuel on Tuesday and Wednesday of EVERY WEEK. If the demand for fuel drops dramatically, the price will come down. We, the people, can do something if we want to.
March 27th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Why doesn’t anyone in the goverment care that there was a workable alternative to gas, and that was the EV1 electric car that the auto industry managed to destroy and no one could stop them. From the info I saw about this vehicle it would work very well in at least our cities. There is nothing going to be done because theres to much money involed with every thing connected to the oil industry. And this includes everyone from the President on down the the gas station ower. Sad isn’t it.
March 27th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Alternative fuels may be the answer, but how long will it be before the cost of alternative fuels are as high as gasoline and diesel. I do not feel that not buying fuel on any given day will do anything for the gasoline prices. People will buy gasoline regardless of the cost. That’s evident as I drive by the gas pump daily. Many times you can’t even find a vacant spot at the fuel pump with $3.10+ gasoline prices. And what about the high gasoline prices that we think we have. CNN reports that the cost of gasoline in other countries makes our gasoline seem free — Toyko $4.24/gallon; Paris $5.54/gallon; Amsterdam $6.48/gallon. European countries have adapted. I do not agree with the higher cost of fuel, but it is a reality and I don’t believe anything will be done about high oil prices.
March 27th, 2008 at 11:32 am
The “REAL” reason for the rising cost of fuel is the FALLING VALUE of the DOLLAR! this is a long term problem and will get worse before recovering.
April 1st, 2008 at 5:23 pm
The European countries and far east get their gas by liters,which is almost 5 liters to a U.S gallon.In todays market at $3.39 gal,this is the same cost as what they pay in Tokyo.Remember also that the European and Tokyo cars get 40 to 50 miles per gallon,we are lucky to get 20 to 25 miles per gallon on the same cars that are shipped from across the pond.Why is that?Our government control and the oil companies sleeping in the same bed made of all their profits?
Have the American Automobile Companies build a car that gets 40 to 50 miles per gallon,I’ll buy it.Next question is ,why don’t they?
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:02 am
Until Americans stand up and STOP the malfeasance within Government and Americans make that final stand to hold accountable all public officials it will never stop. If we are to save ourselves then it is time to take that stand and be heard by all politicians. Remember that we put them into office and we can take them out of office.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Rich Ranz mentioned that there is almost 5 liters to a US gallon. The conversion is actually 3.785 liters to 1 US gallon. Here in Canada we also buy fuel by the liter. Today regular gas is $1.22 per liter, making it $4.85 per US gallon (3.785 L/USgal X $1.22 CDN/L X $1.05 CDN to US$). I believe that the technology exists to make all our vehicles at least 50% and up to 200% more efficient and less polluting. But because of the ongoing global connection between oil producers ,refiners and vehicle manufactures and the rush to make millions per quarter these are being held back and covered up (Google 75 miles per gallon).
IN 1992 GM made a car that was rated at 75 mpg,American Automobile Companies did and can produce cars that better 50 mpg but they claim that their customers will not buy them. All of us have to start demanding companies and governments to make these advancements available to all.
While we are waiting for this to happen search the web there are many self made or low cost items that do work ie. supplemental hydrogen .
April 10th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Not purchasing fuel on Tuesday will not reduce demand and prices if one fills up the next day. Demand is reduced by by reducing consumption. The usual tips that we have heard since the 70’s are a start; Public transport, tune-ups, proper tire inflation and reduced idle time. Observation of others’ bad habits can help you. Spend a few moments at the local convenience store (with the engine off of course) and see how many people start the engine before fastening the seat belt. It is generally about 90%. Average idle time before the seat belt is fastened is about 25 seconds. At some stores several hundred gallons of fuel could be saved each shift.
April 16th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I’ve been in the transportation industry long enough to remember the ‘73 and ‘78 embargoes, the shutdown on I-70 in PA in ‘77, and everything since. I have one scenario that will work. Don’t ask every trucker to slow down or shut down. I know there are many that can’t afford to. But what every trucker can afford to do is pay $5.00 a week into a fund to take care of every trucker that makes a living hauling into or out of Washington, D.C. Let those drivers shut down, and put a freight embargo on D.C. No garbage out . No alchohol or tobacco in. Let mail run, along with medical and emergency services. But shut everything else down, including fuel and gas, all non-essentials. How long would it take to get the attention of the politicians? Let’s not forget that twice Congress passed a bill in ‘95 to open ANWAR, and twice Clinto vetoed it. Industry said they could have oil to the refineries in 8 years. That means we could have been tapping that field by ‘03. Alternative sources of energy are wonderful. But let’s quit redistributing the wealth of America, particularly to our enemies, at the cost of our sovereignty.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:27 am
Has anyone checked into the web site at the top of this page about running your car on water? It sounds like it could work and would be great if it did, but it could be just another rip off. What do you think?
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:06 pm
I too remember and agree. Had we taken action, like more drilling (Anwar, off shore, etc.), allowing more refineries to be built, more nuclear, solar and wind, after the late ’70’s “oil crisis’, we wouldn’t be in this situation of dependence upon oil from other countries. It also doesn’t help that the dollar dropped in value so much.
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Running your car on water only works with Hydrogen Fuel cells. Not currently available.
Face facts america; we are getting ripped off. Only about 15% of our oil is foreign. We are exporting oil to Europe and Asia. The oil companies like making mega money. Want it to stop. Stop trading oil futures for 1 week to get the day traders out. Suspend all day trading of oil futures by requiring brokerage accounts. That is a step in the right direction but probably wishfull thinking.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:10 am
As long as everyone goes to the ballpark and pays $8. for a beer and $5. for a coke. Nothings going to change. the goverment and fuel companies attitude” load the wagon the mule is blind”
May 1st, 2008 at 9:47 am
Also, there’s only approx. 6 months worth of oil available in ANWAR so it’s not a great solution. I like T.Alan’s idea of a demonstration in D.C., though.
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I agree with Alan, an embargo would be very effective i think. If we could subsidize the truckers affected there, why wouldn’t they do it?!?! But, it has to be organized… is there anybody or any organization that could step up and take charge of it then the rest of us could support and follow suit. Please let me know, there are so many different ways and ideas out there, but the main goal is that this has to be unified and sincere.