Fake Outrage of the Morning: Obama is Responsible for High Gas Prices

Wingnuts love to waste energy, but don’t dare suggest they might end up paying more for it

WingnutsApril 2011 • Views: 39,844

Right wingers feel it’s their God-given right to waste as much energy as they possibly can, just for the sheer hell of it. But if the price goes up as the supply goes down, or if uncertainty about supply drives prices up, they scream bloody murder and blame it on President Obama. (To be precise, they blame everything bad that happens in the entire universe on Obama.)

If Obama says he can’t do anything in the short run to lower prices, they scream, “He says we just have to get used to it!”

Well, Obama never said those words, of course; he said today, “There’s no silver bullet that can bring down gas prices right away.” (Here’s how it works: one wingnut misrepresents what Obama says, then all of them parrot the misrepresentation, then it becomes an impervious article of right wing faith.)

The President didn’t say it, for political reasons, but I will. Yes, you’re going to have to get used to paying more for gas. America has enjoyed an artificially low price on gasoline for many years, while the rest of the world paid for it. Those days are coming to an end, and the only way forward is to break our dependence on fossil fuels.

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90 comments

SpaceJesus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:35:15am

It just means that people will have to move closer to the cities, which will infuriate conservatives because that’s where brown people live.

albusteve Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:35:43am

I can handle whatever it costs since most of my driving is for pleasure….to see the USA in my Chevrolet is more important to me…my car gets 35mpg but even so, someone is making a killing again and it’s way beyond BO to control any of it unless he can flood the market with gas

wrenchwench Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:38:43am

Maybe I shouldn’t say anything because I benefit almost directly from higher gas prices.

Here’s one of the many clever slogans of cyclists:

Work to eat, eat to live, live to bike, bike to work.

iceweasel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:38:59am

It ought to mean incentive to use public transport or bikes, and make it easier to do so, but of course that won’t happen. For better or worse, America is car country. In some ways it has to be, it’s a huge country.

lawhawk Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:41:16am

Higher energy costs are going to affect 3d world countries far more than the US but that doesn’t mean that the US is scot-free over higher energy costs. It will sap the economy, and it will mean higher costs for everything we get (transportation/shipping/food/driving/etc.)

HoosierHoops Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:45:38am

5 years ago I almost bought a Hummer..Man am I glad I didn’t do that stupid thing

Shiplord Kirel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:45:58am

In my experience, the drivers of giant SUVs and pickups are really attached to the idea that they can intimidate other drivers and bully their way through traffic. This is based on the moronic idea that the driver of, say, a Honda would deliberately run over a moped that cut him off but will refrain when presented with greater mass. There are obvious psycho-sexual overtones and they mesh neatly with what we know of patriarchal, misogynistic, and domineering aspects in wingnut culture. It is a power trip. I call this stray dog syndrome, since it is the same power a stray dog can exercise when it runs into the street.

ProBosniaLiberal Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:46:52am

re: #7 Shiplord Kirel

I like saying that many of these people are compensating.

lawhawk Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:47:37am

re: #4 iceweasel

There’s tremendous resistance to bring in dedicated bus and bike lanes in NYC - and some of that is pure NIMBY (as seen with the Brooklyn bike lanes, but that also exposed the fact that the NYC DOT was fudging its numbers to promote bike lanes). Improved mass transit can mean lower pollution, higher efficiency and reduced costs to business due to delays/traffic/congestion.

However, mass transit isn’t a panacea either - and some mass transit is more cost effective than other means - and it depends on population density as well. Building new infrastructure is tremendously expensive, and maintenance of existing systems aren’t cheap - and get more expensive the older the system is.

The idea of transit villages is something that has been bandied about for years - where residential and commerical properties were co-located near transit hubs, and it makes sense for new communities, but can get expensive where existing communities are placed with little regard to mass transit. One of the reasons I chose where I now live (Radburn, NJ) is precisely because the community was based not around cars, but on being able to walk to everything. It was one of the US’s first planned communities and is a model for others that have come since.

Shiplord Kirel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:48:24am

re: #8 ProLifeLiberal

I like saying that many of these people are compensating.

Indeed. It is transparently obvious when you drive around Lubbock.

Walter L. Newton Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:49:56am

re: #9 lawhawk

There’s tremendous resistance to bring in dedicated bus and bike lanes in NYC - and some of that is pure NIMBY (as seen with the Brooklyn bike lanes, but that also exposed the fact that the NYC DOT was fudging its numbers to promote bike lanes). Improved mass transit can mean lower pollution, higher efficiency and reduced costs to business due to delays/traffic/congestion.

However, mass transit isn’t a panacea either - and some mass transit is more cost effective than other means - and it depends on population density as well. Building new infrastructure is tremendously expensive, and maintenance of existing systems aren’t cheap - and get more expensive the older the system is.

The idea of transit villages is something that has been bandied about for years - where residential and commerical properties were co-located near transit hubs, and it makes sense for new communities, but can get expensive where existing communities are placed with little regard to mass transit. One of the reasons I chose where I now live (Radburn, NJ) is precisely because the community was based not around cars, but on being able to walk to everything. It was one of the US’s first planned communities and is a model for others that have come since.

In the distant pass… called trolly towns… Tottenville SI, NY is one example.

theheat Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:50:29am

“Earth First! We’ll ~~log~~ drill the other plants later.”

Naturally, this could all be fixed with national prayer, but there are so many heathens among us they’ll taint the message.
//

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:51:10am

Obviously Obama has nothing to do with the rise in Brent crude. Everything began with Tunisia which was followed by Egypt and subsequently Libya. The biggest contributing factor being Libya.

iceweasel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:52:31am

re: #9 lawhawk

One of the reasons I chose where I now live (Radburn, NJ) is precisely because the community was based not around cars, but on being able to walk to everything. It was one of the US’s first planned communities and is a model for others that have come since.

That’s terrific. Too bad there aren’t more. You have a point about the NIMBY factor. I well remember going to the supermarket in NYC one day; by the time I got back they’d painted a bike lane down my street.

I was like, damn, I know the neighbourhood’s gentrifying, but this fast? About a month later the fancy wine shop opened. Pretty sure the rents started going up with it.

Charles Johnson Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:54:31am

re: #9 lawhawk

In order for America’s highly mobile lifestyle to remain relatively unaffected, it’s imperative that the human race develop a clean source of energy that can compete with oil in terms of energy yield.

That’s why it’s so wonderful that the Republican Party is doing everything possible right now to sabotage those kinds of efforts.

ProBosniaLiberal Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:55:00am

re: #10 Shiplord Kirel

They have Truck Nuts?

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:55:09am

re: #14 iceweasel

That’s terrific. Too bad there aren’t more. You have a point about the NIMBY factor. I well remember going to the supermarket in NYC one day; by the time I got back they’d painted a bike lane down my street.

I was like, damn, I know the neighbourhood’s gentrifying, but this fast? About a month later the fancy wine shop opened. Pretty sure the rents started going up with it.

That sure sounds familiar.

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:55:51am

Give them no choice. Raise the CAFE standards on a phased basis.

prairiefire Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:56:12am

I have heard the administration is considering tapping the gas reserves to pop the speculation bubble and bring down prices. This would only be effective for the short term.

ProBosniaLiberal Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:56:45am

Considering the explanation of Shiplord, I may have found a reasonable approximation of the events last night in Libya.

Youtube Video

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:56:54am

re: #19 prairiefire

I have heard the administration is considering tapping the gas reserves to pop the speculation bubble and bring down prices. This would only be effective for the short term.

There was talk of that in 2008 as well.

Shiplord Kirel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 10:58:54am

re: #8 ProLifeLiberal

I like saying that many of these people are compensating.

A few years ago, a communist party publication suggested that people install brush guards on their SUVs to project their willingness to knock careless ~~peasants~~ students and workers out of the way. I think that is going a bit far, especially since my Ford pickup has a brush guard (for the very good reason that driving through brush is incidental to my work). It may be true for those who never get close to the boonies though.

Charles Johnson Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:00:32am

re: #7 Shiplord Kirel

In my experience, the drivers of giant SUVs and pickups are really attached to the idea that they can intimidate other drivers and bully their way through traffic.

I especially love it when a gigantic black 4WD truck with black tinted windows tailgates at 75 mph when the freeway’s crowded.

I’ve been doing a bit of traveling lately and there are some parts of this country where the giant pickup trucks have literally driven out smaller vehicles. Everybody has them, just to survive.

Killgore Trout Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:01:03am

Our energy policy has sucked for decades. There are a lot of things that we should be doing like using more natural gas as a short term solution and developing solar, wind, and other renewable sources. We are way behind the rest of the developed world and we need to get serious soon.

Charles Johnson Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:02:51am

re: #24 Killgore Trout

Our energy policy has sucked for decades. There are a lot of things that we should be doing like using more natural gas as a short term solution and developing solar, wind, and other renewable sources. We are way behind the rest of the developed world and we need to get serious soon.

In large part, the suck is caused by right wing politicians doing the bidding of energy industries. There are some Democrats in the energy industry pocket, too, but it’s mostly Republicans.

iceweasel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:03:40am

re: #7 Shiplord Kirel

Brilliant comment.

theheat Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:03:48am

re: #23 Charles

One of the cowboys I know stepped up and bought a Smart car. Drives back and forth to the arena in it. It looks like a joke parked in between a row of duallies and 4x4s. It’s cute as a bug, though.

Come to think of it, I bet it would fit in the back of some of those trucks.

Walter L. Newton Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:03:57am

re: #22 Shiplord Kirel

A few years ago, a communist party publication suggested that people install brush guards on their SUVs to project their willingness to knock careless ~~peasants~~ students and workers out of the way. I think that is going a bit far, especially since my Ford pickup has a brush guard (for the very good reason that driving through brush is incidental to my work). It may be true for those who never get close to the boonies though.

I was surprised this go around in Paris this last Jan. I saw a lot more mid-sized European model SUV’s and minivans then I have ever seen in the many times I’ve been there in the past.

Hard to tell how many of these vehicles are driven by suburb dwellers driving onto the city versus which ones were actually owned by Paris city residents, but still, it was odd to see so many large vehicles in Paris proper.

And gas fluctuates around 5-6 eros a gallon (about 4 liters).

aagcobb Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:04:47am

re: #13 Gus 802

But Obama is supporting the Libyan rebels because he loves Islamists and hates America. Gahadfy could’ve crushed the rebellion by now and the price of oil would’ve dropped, but Soros wants to destroy the American economy so that the one-world Caliphate government under sharia law can be established. ///

Locker Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:04:53am

Free markets only work for the right wing when they are the seller.

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:05:24am

The reason the petroleum industry gets so much support from politicians isn’t about policy or ideology. It’s about maintaining the status quo and keeping the money flowing in a specific industry. This also includes the revolving door between government employees and the oil industry.

Charles Johnson Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:06:12am

I highly recommend clicking the link above that says “the rest of the world paid for it.” Very interesting graphs and stats on global gas prices.

albusteve Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:08:40am

when the original CAFE standards were established, they left out medium and heavy trucks, setting up the frantic escalation of the SUV and an explosion of big ass pickup sales….huge mistake
what were they thinking and who benefited?

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:09:17am

re: #32 Charles

I highly recommend clicking the link above that says “the rest of the world paid for it.” Very interesting graphs and stats on global gas prices.

In an odd twist… Looking at that graph had me wondering. I bet there’s a correlation between lower gasoline prices and belief in creationism. At the very least this statement should piss off the average wingnut. ;)

iceweasel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:10:31am

re: #17 Gus 802

That sure sounds familiar.

Once hipster couples pushing strollers arrived on Sunday mornings it was all over. /

Brunch! Only 22.50!

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:11:10am

re: #35 iceweasel

Once hipster couples pushing strollers arrived on Sunday mornings it was all over. /

Brunch! Only 22.50!

That’s like something out of the Onion. And real life.

Romantic Heretic Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:13:30am

I’m thinking of a cartoon I saw many years ago (late 70s?).

It depicted Uncle Sam as a junkie and he’s shooting up. The syringe is an oil barrel.

The caption said, “I don’t care what it costs me, man. I need it.”

It’s the satirists who can tell the truth.

Targetpractice Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:14:27am

re: #31 Gus 802

The reason the petroleum industry gets so much support from politicians isn’t about policy or ideology. It’s about maintaining the status quo and keeping the money flowing in a specific industry. This also includes the revolving door between government employees and the oil industry.

It’s like any other big industry, it gets a lot of its political pull through votes from its employees. You see it any major industry, whether it be Boeing, GE, Colt, or anybody who can whine and whimper that Congress doing/not doing something will mean thousands of out of work voters! Voters who will be inclined to vote against any politician that didn’t want to bend over and give their employer what he wanted!

iceweasel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:17:10am

re: #37 Romantic Heretic

I’m thinking of a cartoon I saw many years ago (late 70s?).

It depicted Uncle Sam as a junkie and he’s shooting up. The syringe is an oil barrel.

The caption said, “I don’t care what it costs me, man. I need it.”

It’s the satirists who can tell the truth.

Image: homershirt.png

Stan the Demanded Plan Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:21:30am

re: #39 iceweasel

Image: homershirt.png

Don’t know if it’s my crappy computer but the homer image didn’t show up.

iceweasel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:22:13am

re: #40 Stanley Sea

Don’t know if it’s my crappy computer but the homer image didn’t show up.

Dammit. I’ll email or try again. Damn you image shack!

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:22:26am

Here. I made that one graph readable.

wrenchwench Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:26:06am

re: #42 Gus 802

Here. I made that one graph readable.

Thanks! How did you do that?

iceweasel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:26:10am

Wingnut Reaction To Earth Day

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:26:23am

re: #42 Gus 802

Here. I made that one graph readable.

Here’s the one for diesel.

Targetpractice Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:26:46am

The Right’s “small government” views always break down when it comes to energy costs and the lengths we go to to keep them low. I remember a few of them going nuts at the suggestion awhile back that oil subsidies should be ended, declaring it a “tax” on oil companies that would “cripple” the economy.

These same folks, at the same time, are adamant that we simply can’t afford to subsidize alternative energy research and deployment, declaring it a “manipulation” of the free market. They laugh at how, even with such subsidies, alternative energy is still “expensive” when compared to fossil fuels, without mentioning that said fuels are themselves heavily subsidized.

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:28:00am

re: #43 wrenchwench

Thanks! How did you do that?

Found a PDF document of the data online. Then I opened the page up in Photoshop. Opened at 300 DPI which is rather large. Then shrank it down to 1600 px. wide, sharpened, and then faded the sharpening by 44 percent and did a save for web at a medium setting.

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:28:59am

re: #47 Gus 802

Found a PDF document of the data online. Then I opened the page up in Photoshop. Opened at 300 DPI which is rather large. Then shrank it down to 1600 px. wide, sharpened, and then faded the sharpening by 44 percent and did a save for web at a medium setting.

This is the PDF.

giz2011-international-fuel-prices-2010-2011-data-preview.pdf (application/pdf Object)

wrenchwench Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:29:12am

re: #47 Gus 802

Found a PDF document of the data online. Then I opened the page up in Photoshop. Opened at 300 DPI which is rather large. Then shrank it down to 1600 px. wide, sharpened, and then faded the sharpening by 44 percent and did a save for web at a medium setting.

Mongo smart. And has tools.

Ming Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:29:13am

Do not underestimate the current right-wing “talking point” that it’s Obama’s fault that gas prices are so high. Gas prices can affect the 2012 election, bit time. If the economy is doing well, an incumbent president has a good shot at getting re-elected. Look at Reagan in 1984, and Clinton in 1996. But as we saw with Bush in 1992, if the economy is faltering, many voters are looking for a change. For many Republicans, their top priority is to defeat Obama in 2012. So they will deliver the message, again and again, that the economy is not well, that gas prices are high, and link this to Obama. Many voters will buy it.

lawhawk Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:29:31am

re: #18 Gus 802

CAFE had unintended consequences as well - it led to the development of the SUV, because in order for cars to meet the then existing CAFE standards, trucks were exempted from fleet regs.

CAFE standards are set to rise to 35 mpg in 2014, and 39 mpg by the 2016 model year. The new standards take into account trucks as well, which eliminates a huge gap.

There are penalties for not meeting the CAFE standards, and one can argue that they aren’t sufficient. At the same time, the public has a thing for horsepower over efficiency. Changing that mindset takes time.

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:31:01am

re: #51 lawhawk

CAFE had unintended consequences as well - it led to the development of the SUV, because in order for cars to meet the then existing CAFE standards, trucks were exempted from fleet regs.

CAFE standards are set to rise to 35 mpg in 2014, and 39 mpg by the 2016 model year. The new standards take into account trucks as well, which eliminates a huge gap.

There are penalties for not meeting the CAFE standards, and one can argue that they aren’t sufficient. At the same time, the public has a thing for horsepower over efficiency. Changing that mindset takes time.

Well. A rational CAFE standard would work. It led to the creation of the SUV because of the bullshit that was written into it by politicians under pressure from the auto and oil industry. Then they need to re-write the damn thing.

Shiplord Kirel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:31:45am

re: #28 Walter L. Newton

I was surprised this go around in Paris this last Jan. I saw a lot more mid-sized European model SUV’s and minivans then I have ever seen in the many times I’ve been there in the past.

Hard to tell how many of these vehicles are driven by suburb dwellers driving onto the city versus which ones were actually owned by Paris city residents, but still, it was odd to see so many large vehicles in Paris proper.

And gas fluctuates around 5-6 eros a gallon (about 4 liters).

The same trend is evident in the UK. The roads seemed to crawl with Range Rovers and Mercedes GLs last time I was there.

It seems to be a break with historical trends in European car design. As you no doubt know, French cars have traditionally emphasized rough-surface ride capability. The iconic Citroen 2CV was specifically designed for rural areas of France. It was a minimalist car in most respects, but its ride quality and stability were amazing to Americans who usually associate these qualities with large, heavy vehicles.
In the mid-70s, I worked for a Peugeot dealer in Amarillo Texas, the only one within 400 miles. The 504 was the only model Peugeot offered in the US at that time. It was an obscure brand in the US in those days, but it had a loyal following in west Texas. The typical buyers were older farm and ranch couples who lived at the end of long unpaved roads.

elizajane Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:33:02am

re: #12 theheat

Naturally, this could all be fixed with national prayer, but there are so many heathens among us they’ll taint the message.
//

In fact, Obama is also responsible for the drought in Texas.

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:35:19am

Then create a high mileage sin tax.

[Awaits reaction.]

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:36:45am

Any vehicle that gets lower than 30 MPG should pay a 10,000 dollar tax which will go to directly fund NPR and Planned Parenthood.

darthstar Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:36:46am

re: #55 Gus 802

Then create a high mileage sin tax.

[Awaits reaction.]

Just don’t create a mile high sin tax.

iceweasel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:36:49am

re: #55 Gus 802

Then create a high mileage sin tax.

[Awaits reaction.]

Al GOrE IZ MaKINg MoNEy OfF ThIS!1

wrenchwench Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:38:34am

re: #55 Gus 802

Then create a high mileage sin tax.

[Awaits reaction.]

You’d have to calibrate it to be fair in the dense East and the way-spread-out West. It’s pretty common here for people to have to drive over 100 miles for a medical specialist or a periodontist. Those aren’t sins.

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:38:36am

re: #58 iceweasel

…

It’s teh greenies bringun there watermelons!! Green on teh outside butz red on the inside!!11ty ReD as in them Communistical homersexulz!!

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:39:30am

re: #59 wrenchwench

You’d have to calibrate it to be fair in the dense East and the way-spread-out West. It’s pretty common here for people to have to drive over 100 miles for a medical specialist or a periodontist. Those aren’t sins.

I meant MPG wise. For a new purchase. Not mileage driven. :)

iceweasel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:39:57am

re: #60 Gus 802

I didn’t realise how fluent you are in wingnutese!

darthstar Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:39:59am

re: #59 wrenchwench

You’d have to calibrate it to be fair in the dense East and the way-spread-out West. It’s pretty common here for people to have to drive over 100 miles for a medical specialist or a periodontist. Those aren’t sins.

Periodontist? That sounds like one of those Asian time zones.
/

wrenchwench Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:40:13am

re: #59 wrenchwench

You’d have to calibrate it to be fair in the dense East and the way-spread-out West. It’s pretty common here for people to have to drive over 100 miles for a medical specialist or a periodontist. Those aren’t sins.

And hundreds of miles to get to a VA clinic. There’s a bill being pushed now to let veterans use local doctors.

wrenchwench Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:40:33am

re: #61 Gus 802

I meant MPG wise. For a new purchase. Not mileage driven. :)

Oh, OK.

thecommodore Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:40:54am

Here’s an example of how a right winger would respnd to the following:

But if the price goes up as the supply goes down, or if uncertainty about supply drives prices up, they scream bloody murder and blame it on President Obama. (To be precise, they blame everything bad that happens in the entire universe on Obama.)

OH SO IT’S NOT OKAY TO BLAME THE PRESIDENT FOR ANYTHING? YOU LIBERALS BLAMED BUSH FOR EVERYTHING!!!

YOU HYPOCRITE!!!

John Q Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:41:07am

Obama can’t bring prices down, and neither can the Republicans. But attacking Obama over high prices will work for the Republicans, just as attacking him over the economy worked in the 2010 election. The fact that Republicans will not bring gas prices down/improve the economy (and in fact their policies will make things worse on the economic front) doesn’t seem to matter to the electorate.

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:41:16am

re: #65 wrenchwench

Oh, OK.

Yeah. I don’t like the mileage tax idea. Poor people and the middle class have to drive long distances all the time.

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:42:39am

re: #62 iceweasel

I didn’t realise how fluent you are in wingnutese!

I picked up a copy of “Wingnutese for Dummies” at Amazon. /

APox Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:43:09am

Off-topic but I thought this would be a good place to ask, I’m going through some pretty big life changes and I love to read/think, so I’m looking for some good books that have interesting thoughts on life.

One of my all time favorites growing up is The Monk and the Philosopher, was a very interesting read…

So anyways, if someone could throw a couple suggestions at me.

Walter L. Newton Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:44:23am

re: #53 Shiplord Kirel

The same trend is evident in the UK. The roads seemed to crawl with Range Rovers and Mercedes GLs last time I was there.

It seems to be a break with historical trends in European car design. As you no doubt know, French cars have traditionally emphasized rough-surface ride capability. The iconic Citroen 2CV was specifically designed for rural areas of France. It was a minimalist car in most respects, but its ride quality and stability were amazing to Americans who usually associate these qualities with large, heavy vehicles.
In the mid-70s, I worked for a Peugeot dealer in Amarillo Texas, the only one within 400 miles. The 504 was the only model Peugeot offered in the US at that time. It was an obscure brand in the US in those days, but it had a loyal following in west Texas. The typical buyers were older farm and ranch couples who lived at the end of long unpaved roads.

Actually I didn’t know the above info, I don’t know squat about cars, just noticed what I’ve noticed. I can’t tell one brand from another, but when in Paris, I did noticed that these larger vehicles are not quite as large as our American versions, but still seemed to be European car company models that were larger than usual. And still seemed larger than needed, compared to what I’ve seen in the past.

jaunte Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:44:23am

re: #67 John Q

So far, it’s only working for about 11%

Mideast Turmoil, U.S. Oil Companies Blamed for High Gas Prices
As the price of gasoline skyrockets, Americans have no trouble pointing a proverbial finger. According to this McClatchy-Marist Poll, the turmoil in the Middle East and U.S. oil companies are the most to blame. 36% of U.S. residents think the volatility in the Middle East is at fault while 34% say U.S. oil companies are the culprits. 11% hold President Obama and the Democrats responsible, and 7% find fault with Congressional Republicans. Three percent of Americans blame state and local taxes, and one in ten — 10% — are unsure.
Democrats — 44% — and independents — 39% — are more likely to blame U.S. oil companies for the high price of gas while Republicans — 37% — are more likely to cite the turmoil in the Middle East.

darthstar Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:45:15am

re: #70 APox

Off-topic but I thought this would be a good place to ask, I’m going through some pretty big life changes and I love to read/think, so I’m looking for some good books that have interesting thoughts on life.

One of my all time favorites growing up is The Monk and the Philosopher, was a very interesting read…

So anyways, if someone could throw a couple suggestions at me.

Atlas Shrugged is a really good book. (You have no idea how much it hurt just writing those words.)

iceweasel Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:45:43am

re: #70 APox

Off-topic but I thought this would be a good place to ask, I’m going through some pretty big life changes and I love to read/think, so I’m looking for some good books that have interesting thoughts on life.

One of my all time favorites growing up is The Monk and the Philosopher, was a very interesting read…

So anyways, if someone could throw a couple suggestions at me.

Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.

Walter L. Newton Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:45:46am

re: #68 Gus 802

Yeah. I don’t like the mileage tax idea. Poor people and the middle class have to drive long distances all the time.

Then just put a milage tax on people who income is over 200,00 or have a combined income of over 250,000.

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:46:25am

re: #72 jaunte

So far, it’s only working for about 11%

Supply goes down. The oil companies raise gasoline prices above what is “reasonably” required. People drive less and the oil companies sell less gasoline during the time. And voila! The oil companies then post record profits as if though by magic! Happens everytime.

Targetpractice Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:46:36am

re: #67 John Q

Obama can’t bring prices down, and neither can the Republicans. But attacking Obama over high prices will work for the Republicans, just as attacking him over the economy worked in the 2010 election. The fact that Republicans will not bring gas prices down/improve the economy (and in fact their policies will make things worse on the economic front) doesn’t seem to matter to the electorate.

Yeah, you can expect that the GOP candidate in 2012 will be selling the same ol’ snake oil they do every time gas prices go up: increased domestic drilling, opening up ANWR, deregulation on the industry, investment into “new technologies” like horizontal fracking, and various other “quick fix” schemes.

lawhawk Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:51:04am

re: #61 Gus 802

I meant MPG wise. For a new purchase. Not mileage driven. :)

Except as cars become more efficient (and you have EVs and hybrids), the revenue generated from fuel taxes declines - and some states are looking at mileage taxes to recoup the difference.

HoosierHoops Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:51:38am

re: #75 Walter L. Newton

Then just put a milage tax on people who income is over 200,00 or have a combined income of over 250,000.

hell, why not make the rich pay more for gas at the pump?
Pay more for food? Let’s just milk those bastards for everything…
//

Gus Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:52:15am

re: #78 lawhawk

Except as cars become more efficient (and you have EVs and hybrids), the revenue generated from fuel taxes declines - and some states are looking at mileage taxes to recoup the difference.

Would be a lot easier to just raise the fuel taxes then. Mileage tax is a logistical nightmare.

barry123 Sat, Apr 23, 2011 12:17:27pm

Osama bin Laden had two major demands:

1) Withdrawal of US forces from Saudi Arabia

2) Oil at over $100 a barrell

George W. Bush aceeded to the first demand — the first US surrender to a foreign diktat since Corregidor. And the American people rewarded that surrender with a second term.

We have met the enemy and he is us.

Ericus58 Sat, Apr 23, 2011 12:23:03pm

re: #78 lawhawk

Except as cars become more efficient (and you have EVs and hybrids), the revenue generated from fuel taxes declines - and some states are looking at mileage taxes to recoup the difference.

My wife and I purchased a 2011 Sonata Limited with a PZEV engine.
Our other vehicles are 13 and 15 year-old SUV’s.
We love it.
[Link: en.wikipedia.org…]

William of Orange Sat, Apr 23, 2011 2:19:23pm

If Obama says he can’t do anything in the short run to lower prices, they scream, “He says we just have to get used to it!”

That sentence in itself is not a bogus statement. It could very well be true that the gas price will remain high. And Republicans are to blame as well. Letting the free market go bonkers and letting big companies off-shore their workforce to China and India, two gasguzzling upcoming economies, and you know demand will be high, so prices go up.

Spocomptonite Sat, Apr 23, 2011 2:33:12pm

re: #7 Shiplord Kirel

In my experience, the drivers of giant SUVs and pickups are really attached to the idea that they can intimidate other drivers and bully their way through traffic. This is based on the moronic idea that the driver of, say, a Honda would deliberately run over a moped that cut him off but will refrain when presented with greater mass. There are obvious psycho-sexual overtones and they mesh neatly with what we know of patriarchal, misogynistic, and domineering aspects in wingnut culture. It is a power trip. I call this stray dog syndrome, since it is the same power a stray dog can exercise when it runs into the street.

I got hit by a truck recently that had huge mudders and a suspension lift on it because they “didn’t see me”, a cyclist wearing a DOT-approved reflective construction vest towing a trailer with a highly reflective bag and yellow flag in broad daylight. The only way I could have been more visible is if I was wearing a disco ball shooting laser beams and pyrotechnics for a helmet.

It may be their own stupid power trip, getting a completely impractical vehicle like that, but it hurts more than just them.

pragmatist Sat, Apr 23, 2011 2:39:49pm

Let me see if I have this one straight.

The Republicans - some of them anyway - blame the President for high gas prices.

The President - the current on anyway - blames “speculators” for driving up the cost of oil.

Perhaps they should both recalibrate.

wrenchwench Sat, Apr 23, 2011 2:48:10pm

re: #84 Spocomptonite

I got hit by a truck recently that had huge mudders and a suspension lift on it because they “didn’t see me”, a cyclist wearing a DOT-approved reflective construction vest towing a trailer with a highly reflective bag and yellow flag in broad daylight. The only way I could have been more visible is if I was wearing a disco ball shooting laser beams and pyrotechnics for a helmet.

It may be their own stupid power trip, getting a completely impractical vehicle like that, but it hurts more than just them.

Apparently you lived and retained the ability to type. Did you get hurt? Did the driver have to buy you a new bike or trailer or anything?

The only way I could have been more visible is if I was wearing a disco ball shooting laser beams and pyrotechnics for a helmet.

I could sell those…

labman57 Sat, Apr 23, 2011 7:56:06pm

How dare those insolent Middle Eastern populations disrupt the flow of oil by revolting against their autocratic government leaders without the expressed consent of the United States.

Inherent in the concept of American exceptionalism is the notion that all other nations should show deference to us, and that the United States is entitled to consume as many of our planet’s resources as we see fit without any regard to our impact on the ecosphere — you could call it a Global Manifest Destiny.

Of course, if people are outraged about the climbing price of crude oil, then they should strive to force Congress to enact meaningful regulatory legislation for the highly speculative oil futures market.

And if people are outraged about the price of gasoline, then they should encourage the automobile industry to improve the efficiency of gasoline engines, expand their production lines of hybrid vehicles, and invest more resources in all-electric R&D. Reduce the demand and you’ll compel the oil refining industry to reduce the price of gasoline.

In addition, Congress should examine the pricing policies of this industry to see if collusion has contributed to the speed at which gasoline prices increase whenever the opportunity arises, and the sluggishness at which they come down after that week’s crisis has passed.

teh flowah Sat, Apr 23, 2011 11:09:35pm

Is this any different from when Bush was blamed for everything from oil prices to the weather?

It really is true what they say, the left and right extremes just meet on the other side.

mr.fusion Sun, Apr 24, 2011 6:50:12am

re: #25 Charles

In large part, the suck is caused by right wing politicians doing the bidding of energy industries. There are some Democrats in the energy industry pocket, too, but it’s mostly Republicans.

And it’s not just energy but also more efficient forms of transportation. I’m in Florida and our Governor, Rick Scott, turned down $2.4 Billion for high speed rail connecting Tampa to Orlando —- the first leg of what would have been a statewide system. Forget about the jobs it would have created, it would have given us a reliable and cheap form of transportation across the state. And he’s not the only one. I know Scott Walker turned down high speed rail as well.

And when Rick Scott announced he would not be taking the money he called the project “Obama Rail.” You know…like Obamacare…just making it ultra-political.

mr.fusion Sun, Apr 24, 2011 6:51:07am

Well, Obama never said those words, of course; he said today, “There’s no silver bullet that can bring down gas prices right away.” (Here’s how it works: one wingnut misrepresents what Obama says, then all of them parrot the misrepresentation, then it becomes an impervious article of right wing faith.)

Also see: Apology Tour

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