Do we have a reason to complain...?

[goddess_nemesis]

I know gas prices have risen considerably in the past year. Considering, it was below $2 last year. And this past weekend it rose above $3. I work parttime in a convience store and we had gas prices set at $3.09 for unleaded gas. And when you work in a gas station, people like to complain to you about gas prices.
But really, do we really have a reason to complain about gas prices? Compared to other countries, our gas prices are cheap.
Examples:

• Japan pays $4.24 per gallon for gas
• Germany pays $5.57 per gallon for gas
• Netherlands pay $6.48 per gallon for gas

Looking at how high their gas prices are, we're lucky to have ours a dollar or three cheaper than they. Yeah, our gas prices like to increase and decrease, and basically that sucks. But in reality, gas prices are cheap here.

 

[Red Jester]

No, we don't have a right to complain. Its common knowledge we pay less for gas than other countries. But its very dangerous to come between a person and their right to whine.

 

[MrMacphisto]

LOL... Red, that was a great post...

 

[Dussicar]

I blame everything on corporate greed(oh my god! This lump on my neck just got bigger! Goddam enron!), so I have to say that there is always unanswered questions when it comes to price hikes and down sizing.

 

[Texas_Tickle]

I blame everything on corporate greed(oh my god! This lump on my neck just got bigger! Goddam enron!), so I have to say that there is always unanswered questions when it comes to price hikes and down sizing.

Most of the blame for rising oil prices should be directed at oil cartels like OPEC, who continue to produce less and less oil in order to over-inflate the cost-per-barrel, thereby creating the atmosphere of a gas shortage.

 

[lk70]

We tend to think of gas prices only as it affects us directly as we are filling the tanks of our cars, but think about this country's infrastructure. Trucks and trains get all of our "stuff" from Point A to Point B. Our country is massive in size and it takes a lot of gas to cross it. Gas in Europe may be more expensive, but generally speaking, they don't have as far to go.

 

[TMF Jeff]

I love the current gas prices. I drive a nice little fuel efficient Toyota that gets about a million miles to the gallon, and everytime someone in a huge SUV Boxy Monstrosity blocks my view of the entire universe I get a happy little feeling inside when I imagine him filling his tank. 🙂

 

[isabeau]

I know gas prices have risen considerably in the past year. Considering, it was below $2 last year. And this past weekend it rose above $3. I work parttime in a convience store and we had gas prices set at $3.09 for unleaded gas. And when you work in a gas station, people like to complain to you about gas prices.
But really, do we really have a reason to complain about gas prices? Compared to other countries, our gas prices are cheap.
Examples:

• Japan pays $4.24 per gallon for gas
• Germany pays $5.57 per gallon for gas
• Netherlands pay $6.48 per gallon for gas

Looking at how high their gas prices are, we're lucky to have ours a dollar or three cheaper than they. Yeah, our gas prices like to increase and decrease, and basically that sucks. But in reality, gas prices are cheap here.

whats the price of gas in saudi arabia??? after all thats where we get our oil for the gas supply we rely on so much. i dont complain about the gas prices , i mean what good would it do? just fill the atmosphere with more hot air than it needs at the moment. so i grin and bear it when i see the price zoom up on the gasmachine thingy, (dang i cant remember what its called) get back in my suv and drive away.

this ttoo shall pass

isabeau

 

[NAYA]

But we produce about 30% of our own gas......Europe doesn't so it's not a fair comparison

 

[ViperGTS]

Meh. Who cares about wether or not we have the right to complain. We're Americans. We complain. It's what we do.

Besides, I remember $0.98 a gallon.

 

[Texas_Tickle]

We're Americans. We complain. It's what we do.

And sadly, it's all we do.

 

[Red Jester]

That and invade countries. But only on weekends.

 

[unit5610]

whats the price of gas in saudi arabia??? after all thats where we get our oil for the gas supply we rely on so much. i dont complain about the gas prices , i mean what good would it do? just fill the atmosphere with more hot air than it needs at the moment. so i grin and bear it when i see the price zoom up on the gasmachine thingy, (dang i cant remember what its called) get back in my suv and drive away.

this ttoo shall pass

isabeau

I tend to agree with you...there's plenty of dumb crap that happens that I can actually do something about but the price of gas is a little out of my control, and my car gets decent mileage anyway, so why constantly moan about it? And I think the gadget we pull up to is called a gas pump, though I sort of like gasmachine thingy better. I know that will pop into my little mind next time I drive up to one. Thanks (I think.)

 

[WraithTickler]

Actually another reason why gas in Europe is so high is due to their more socialist stance on government. Gas carries high taxes, which in turn goes to pay for various items from health care to education. In America, we're paying raw demand prices with only a bit of tax added on. That I could consider reasonable merit to complain. On top of matters America's infastructure is the highway system, which is dependant on fuel. If the cost of gas gets too high, our commerical system will start to break down, which will have effects far beyond our national borders should we slip into a depression.

 

[ViperGTS]

So basically, Wraith, what you're saying is we have the right to bitch about higher gas prices because if it gets too expensive, it might break down the entire structure of our country?

I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[ticklkitten]

I love the current gas prices. I drive a nice little fuel efficient Toyota that gets about a million miles to the gallon, and everytime someone in a huge SUV Boxy Monstrosity blocks my view of the entire universe I get a happy little feeling inside when I imagine him filling his tank. 🙂

Jeff- I drive a little fuel efficient Ford Focus which you... but that doesn't it make it any easier compared to what I get paid.

NOW if I lived in those aforementioned areas that pay so much my living expenses and income would easily balance out the dollar amount of gas. In addition... there is NO public transportation where I live... I am forced to drive to work.. in a hospital where there is no reasonable car pool because I work a different shift than everyone else. I have EVERY reason to complain. 40 mile round trip... you do the math....

 

[asutickler]

I know gas prices have risen considerably in the past year. Considering, it was below $2 last year. And this past weekend it rose above $3. I work parttime in a convience store and we had gas prices set at $3.09 for unleaded gas. And when you work in a gas station, people like to complain to you about gas prices.
But really, do we really have a reason to complain about gas prices? Compared to other countries, our gas prices are cheap.
Examples:

• Japan pays $4.24 per gallon for gas
• Germany pays $5.57 per gallon for gas
• Netherlands pay $6.48 per gallon for gas

Looking at how high their gas prices are, we're lucky to have ours a dollar or three cheaper than they. Yeah, our gas prices like to increase and decrease, and basically that sucks. But in reality, gas prices are cheap here.

You're talking about an island (with an exceptionally high cost of living) and two quasi-socialist nations. Of course gas is going to be more expensive there...

 

[Storm_Cat]

I love the current gas prices. I drive a nice little fuel efficient Toyota that gets about a million miles to the gallon, and everytime someone in a huge SUV Boxy Monstrosity blocks my view of the entire universe I get a happy little feeling inside when I imagine him filling his tank. 🙂

ROFLMFAO I'm with ya on that one! I'm sick of suburban America's fixation with these uber, monstrosity pick-ups and SUV's. Makes absolutley no sense to me if one does not have a need for such a vehicle, seeing them parked in the driveways of suburbia. Then they have the 'nads to fly down the motorways happily blabbing away on their cell-phones, nary a care! Must give them a (false) sense of security driving those behemoths.

...and as far as gas prices in other countries is concerned, I don't much give a flying f**k! I DON'T LIVE THERE!

 

[BOFH666]

Prices in some parts of the UK have hit £1.03 a LITRE! Thats £3.90 per american gallon which at current exchange rates would be... $7.19 Even here in London we're heading towards $6.77 a gallon on average.

Thank $Deity I drive a 1 litre Nissan Micra these days, but it's getting painful for those who drive bigger cars or bigger distances. We're looking at a possible fuel protest / blockade which, the last time it happened, caused huge queues and shortages (granted more as a result of the panic buying than the blockade but the end result's the same).

One problem I think the US might end up with that hasn't really been mentioned yet is the relative lack of small, fuel effecient vehicles on the second hand market. Last year I switched from a big BMW to my current Snoopy-mobile and had a huge range of options for around £1,000. Small vehicles, especially in the mid and late 90's, don't seem to have sold well in the states so there's going to be fewer choices to meet an ever increasing demand. That could really hurt those with the least disposable income who need transport to get to work and other essentials. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[TKpervert]

Complain all you want, just don't expect to ever again see gas prices below $2.50 a gallon.

Pavlov conditioned his dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell.

You're being conditioned to salivate at gas prices of $2.70.

Same damn thing.