Fuel Prices...we are in for a rough ride this time!
Traverse City, prices just jumped to an average of $3.35/gal. reg.
and $3.99/gal. diesel.
I heard oil/barrel predictions are to reach $200, before this is over. :?
Gas prices around the world... http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/global_gasprices/price.html
Venezuela, gas is up a whopping 2 cents...now up to 14 cents a gallon.
I wonder if Iraqis are still paying 5 cents per gallon?
Thanks to American's!...Hey...by the way...where is all that return on our investments we were promised???
As a Trucker... many of us are being forced out of business. I spend close to $10,000 a month on fuel. Just lately a couple 3rd generation family truck companies where I live went out of business. The company I leased with also closed last fall. Companies that have been in business since mid 1940's.
It is hitting truckers everywhere, Canada too. Here is an article I read last Monday. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23436726/from/ET/
What is disgusting is this is all politically motivated price gouging.
National truck companies are slitting our throats, and when this economy does rebound in a year or two, the major National companies will be the only trucks left, and the rates will skyrocket as well, costing you to pay much more for everything you purchase right now. So...it will not just be lower wages, less benefits, and high price of fuel, you will be paying a huge fortune for a sack of groceries and new shoes for your kid.
The USD will be worth less than the CAD and slightly more than the Peso...and about half of the Euro.
That is what I predict.
and $3.99/gal. diesel.
I heard oil/barrel predictions are to reach $200, before this is over. :?
Gas prices around the world... http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/global_gasprices/price.html
Venezuela, gas is up a whopping 2 cents...now up to 14 cents a gallon.
I wonder if Iraqis are still paying 5 cents per gallon?
Thanks to American's!...Hey...by the way...where is all that return on our investments we were promised???
As a Trucker... many of us are being forced out of business. I spend close to $10,000 a month on fuel. Just lately a couple 3rd generation family truck companies where I live went out of business. The company I leased with also closed last fall. Companies that have been in business since mid 1940's.
It is hitting truckers everywhere, Canada too. Here is an article I read last Monday. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23436726/from/ET/
What is disgusting is this is all politically motivated price gouging.
National truck companies are slitting our throats, and when this economy does rebound in a year or two, the major National companies will be the only trucks left, and the rates will skyrocket as well, costing you to pay much more for everything you purchase right now. So...it will not just be lower wages, less benefits, and high price of fuel, you will be paying a huge fortune for a sack of groceries and new shoes for your kid.
The USD will be worth less than the CAD and slightly more than the Peso...and about half of the Euro.
That is what I predict.
Comments
But here we are again. Everyone knew about these energy issues then and voiced their concerns and now we've come full circle yet again. And how very unfortunate, it's our own fault. We give people incentives and tax breaks to start a business and then when they get somewhere what do they do? They take that buisness and all the jobs that go with it oversea's. And what do we do? we keep buying their products. I have to laugh when I go to Arizona or Nevada. In the summer they are blowing power transformers right and left. I've been to Greece. There is solar everywhere. If LasVegas turned off the fountains at the hotels, they could
probably cut their water issues in half. Oh but we are certainly a quirky lot
us humans. And now we have the great race to get to the moon to try and
mine the Helium 3 as an alternative energy source. He controls the spice, controls the universe as Frank Herbert wrote in Dune. Once again science fiction may become science fact.
This is a ludicrous aspect of the world's, and the US's, floundering economic state that seems more affected by politics than by economic forces.
Where I live, reg u/l is 3.44 today, and deisel is 3.82...seems like nobody can afford to drive, and people who drive for a living - like 'tou - are so uber-screwed. The cost of living - especially housing - where I live is astronomical, so much so that most of the people that work in my town live down the valley 50 miles, or on the other side of the pass. It saved them a lot of money, until they started spending $150 a week on gas. The airlines are being crushed by fuel costs, but they're huge corporations.
But it's a whole 'nother thing when businesses started by families and run by them for generations are eliminated by this madness.
It's kind of like the Middle East war thing. It's a ludicrous effort, and unwinnable war with no real objective. The Iraqis are suffering, they hate us for being there, and it's costing/wasting a billion dollars a day to be there, not to mention the lives it's costing and screwing up. Jeez, I think I could think of a few things this country could spend a billion dollars a day on, and I'm not even president.
But the real costs of the conflict aren't oil prices or our crumbling economy or the polical/foreign policy mess we've made for ourselves. It's the little girl whose only memory of the father she's never met is that he died at the hands of some religious fanatic in a conflict that never had a chance of accomplishing anything.
This country's leaders should be ashamed and humiliated of what they've done to this once-great nation. :evil: :evil: :evil:
Man....do I second that statement Shredd!
I think about what has happened to our country, economy, personal rights, rep around the world, etc., etc., etc., over the last 7+ years. and my head wants to explode.
Disgraceful........sad...........and daunting.
I don't like feeling I have..... like the American people have been duped.
I hope we all get a government soon that actually CARES.
After 9-11 I was glad we had a conservative in office. But pretty soon things like the Patriot Act came along snipping away at our personal liberties, then the big lie about WMD, then the torture of the detainees. Good Lord this is America, torturing prisoners is not part of our legacy. I guess it is now.
I am going to buy myself big ol' comfortable bicycle to get to work on. It is only four miles from home to work for me.
Two years ago we went back to one car and pretty soon we may park that one too.
Well that's all I have to say about that. I probably haven't said that much in awhile
peace
(and, we went into Iraq to get rid of a horrendous dictator...it's the occupation that should have been better planned....)
I am amazed at the people who say they don't understand how the economy got so bad, while they are driving Japanese cars, wearing French shoes, etc. You get the picture. Foreign companies are even spreading the propaganda that these cars are made with American parts, etc. Nonsense.
Start having some pride in stuff made in the U.S.A. and support your own country.
The gov't just got a report that the job market is WAY down, and millions are out of work, yet they are hoping to increase the H1B foreign worker visa, which basically allows American companies to hire foreign workers instead of Americans. Thus, further endangering the economy.
I could go on for days on the hypocrisies of our gov't and way of \"politically correct\" thinking.
When was the last time anyone here, wrote or phoned their Congressman or Senator ( local, state and federal levels ) to let them know how you feel on how they should vote on any given issue? How many people know what the issues are, that are up for a vote? There are a lot more than what the national media tell you.
Most people don't voice their opinions for fear of being ridiculed and or labeled. So they say nothing and let a handful of people run the direction of the issues and the country! ( just like this forum ) ie ( let the inmates run the assylum! )
As for those who complain about prisoner torture. Who would you rather be tortured by? Think about!!
MMM Our choices are just so overwhelmingly bright this comming election! It's your choice America. A radical muslim sympathizer ( how will that effect the war on terrorism? ) A socialist democrat ( talk about losing freedoms! ) Or a former POW ( What abuses did he endure? Can he mentally hold up to the pressures of President of the United States? But to stay on topic, do you really think any of them are going to do anything other than say they will? No matter who is in office, does anyone truly believe we will see 1 or 2 dollars for a gallon of gas ever again?
By far the U.S.A is still the best place to be, if it wasn't everyone would be immigrating to Mexico! GOD Bless America!
I'm not interested in sparking a debate on the complexities of the trucking industry. It is enough to say the higher fuel costs are going to affect everyone. We have not seen the spike in cost of everyday items...yet...but it will happen. Then we can point fingers in every direction. We are all to blame, as we are a nation of apathy.
Simply stated on fuel surcharges... even after the reimbursement (average 43 cents per gallon)..the fuel costs are taking a huge portion of our rates. Now here is the kicker... it is the rates vs. the operating costs that threaten having to force small businesses to shut down...even after generations of managing a moderate success. Even after the fuel surcharge, the increase in fuel costs now eat into the budget for operation expenses. Many have no idea of the tens of thousands of dollars it costs to keep an 18-wheeler on the road...and we make the money 1 mile at a time. Our rates are cut by large national companies forcing us out of business, as well as the unregulated corrupt brokers stealing large portions of what the shipper pays, to what we end up receiving.
Oil is just like any other commodity like metals or grains. The U.S. dollar is really in the tank and every commodity is higher in price. Truckers are an interesting group. First they can't stand the government getting deeper into their business, then as I listened to Truckin Bozo on XM the other day, they are clamoring to have the government come in and regulate fuel prices. Last thing I want is the government doing anything to \"help\" this industry... government bale-outs never work, and people never learn, as well as inviting government intervention always brings more cluster-$$$k, than anything.
Look at recent government meddling and screw ups. Even crop prices being high and causing problems for cattle producers is because of government meddling and spending your tax money for bio-fuels instead of letting the market work. If I can get a great price for corn and soybeans, I sure wouldn't plant any wheat. And guess what, this year to meet demand and lack of supply, we will have to import wheat for the first time in this nations history! Don't believe me? Check with your local Farm Bureau office. And now it is coming out in various studies that biofuels and there production actually contribute more to environmental damage than oil.
We do not want higher fuel costs on the trucker, because we will get a higher surcharge, and it will be paid by all consumers.
Once the government finishes doing it's dirty deeds, and the Mom & Pop trucking companies have been eliminated...we will see what I am warning about. That loaf of bread costing us $4 a loaf now...will cost maybe $6...and our USD will be worth less keep in mind... do the math. All our items will still be shipped, but how much of it will we be able to afford? These trucks ship everything we have. We would be bare-naked standing on a pile of dirt, if it were not for trucks.
Right now...yes, the fuel surcharge keeps the driver barely making it...but don't forget, the increases are not yet trickling down to us, because there is a lot going on we do not see. When we do see it, and are aware of what the eff...it will be too late....actually already is too late.
I'm sorry for simplifying so much (in regards to trucking), but this is complex and could get too far off topic quickly. I don't mean to make this a trucking industry debate, as it is really a universal issue. What is happening to the trucking industry is only one aspect of the US economy and industry failing or failed.
I am proud to be an American, but I am ashamed of our government, and I am sorry we as a nation have seen the writing on the wall since the 70's and have done nothing to stop or change our corrupt government, and corrupt business practices. This country is now reaping what it has sown.
Anyway...no one disputes that the middle east is one sloppy mess...why are we talking about it here, when we could be talking about GNX's, music, and why none of you gwats will set me up with one of your hott groupies???
But on one hand, this subject will underline the cost of your Digitech products, as well as your strings, picks, guitar, microphone, and dust cloths...etc.
I sold a guitar I really didn't want to sell recently, because I am scraping by.
I have a couple more guitars I could sell...and I'm hoping it doesn't come to that.
It also dawned on me...maybe these guitars will be worth a whole lot more in a year...
Oy Oy...vat a mess...yes...I'm in the mood for the Blues.
from the kid who just got his first axe, to the touring musicians that have been at it for years. If we can share how we are dealing with it with the next generation of players, just maybe it will inspire that one next great
virtuoso to not give up. I for one think that's a good thing. Sometimes you just have to say it. I work in theatre and have seen first hand how fuel prices are affecting the touring broadway shows and some rock concerts.
How much of a show can you cut back on before it's not worth someone paying to see it? We have all this great technology and can barely afford to get it down the road to the next city. No easy answers. And yeah I have 2 guitars I am considering selling because I can't afford to keep them all maintained. Back to the basics. The only things that made me want to really stay in school was Music and Art, and we all know where that's at now.
I wouldn't be thinking about this stuff if I had Anne Hathaway in my hot tub. Life is soooo unfair...
JUST the electricity to run a rock show, and to have the arena open for a night, runs into thousands of dollars, and will surely be going up.
So if the cost of touring such a show - or theater production - keeps going up, it'll cost more and more to see a show of any kind - and of course, the second-tier and below stuff will simply be unable to operate. As an NHL fan, I'm already appalled at how much those ticket prices are.
The wide-screen view is exactly as 'tou said...a product-based economy HAS to have 'mobility', to be able to move goods of all kinds from point A to B, or (more realistically) from Point A to EVerywhere.
I feel for you guys who're having to part with your beloved git'rs 'cuz times are tight. That's gotta hurt. I mean...I realllly miss my vintage axes I don't have anymore, but I sold them 'cuz I'm stupid, not broke. :oops:
1 gallon = 3.785 litres.
You are paying $1.09 (Aus) a litre. That is INCREDIBLY CHEAP BY AUSTRALIAN PRICES. We have to pay over $1.40 a litre. Over $1.50 on diesel.
That = $4.87 (US) a gallon here for petrol!!!!!!!!
The only answer is to develop clean electricity production, and in the meantime, not use up all the oil (its needed for plastic manufacture). [/b]
What the world, and the USA in particular, needs is ALTERNATIVE ENERGY. Also development of new materials that aren't oil-dependant.
The so called \"age of oil\" is over, or at least rapidly drawing to a close. Never mind the pollution/ecological effects; allowing the middle east and other madmen like Chavez to lead the world around by a leash is just bad policy.
There has to be another way to power all the cars/trucks, TVs and GNX's, and light bulbs in the world. And we better figure it out FAST, or the world is going to be choking on its' own s**t, paying x hundred a barrel for oil, while the middle eastern countries et al are holding the leash that's wrapped around our b***s. Every developed nation on earth will become a wholly owned subsidiary of whoever has the oil. :evil:
I had to calculate from liters to gallons (1 liter = 3,78541178 gal)
one liter gas costs me 1.54 Euro = 2.37 US Dollars (for regular 95, today, tomorrow prob. even more)
1gallon = 5.83 Euro (EUR) = 8.99 US Dollars (USD) :shock:
This is not a joke, i'm dead serious
I wish my car would run on CocaCola, thats a lot cheaper.
That said, I'd be thrilled to live in a town/city where things are centralized enough that I could ride my bike from place to place. In the USA, there are idiots that drive their car from one side of a parking lot to the other to go to 2 different stores. Sheesh. :evil: :evil: :evil:
It's like Dennis Miller says: \"A Hummer in the jungles of Burma is a tool. A Hummer that's used to pick up milk and drive to work is being DRIVEN by a tool.\"
but I am also closing in on my elder years and have other more important prioritys. I didn't have em when I got here and I surely wont be able to take them with me. Maybe it's just easier for me to let go of things. But yes as Americans we have been fortunate to still live a fairly good life even when we don't think so in comparison to other parts of the world. Eventually in life there becomes more important things than guitars believe it or not. So burn on em all you can while your fortunate to have the chance.
The more people depend on it, the more they can charge because there is only so much of it. And that's why when alot of us were sitting in gas lines for an hour or more in the 70's, something more should have been done about it by now. And yes stirring the pot doe's get peoples undies in a wad, It's supposed to.
I myself appreciate the fact that they let us continue it. It's an interesting world climate we live in and hopefully this has given us some insite as to the challenges we all face as musicians, artists and just the plain everyday Joe who likes to noodle on a guitar, and maybe expanded our thinking about them in a positive way. For me this has been good discussion, nobody got out of line and we talked about real things that affect us all. I would also like to thank Manitou for having the forsite to bring it up. Sometimes you gotta take a chance.
Australia is bigger than most of Europe and we have to drive a lot. Thus, while you may spend more a litre on petrol Aussies spend more in total.
I agree with Shred though... the only answer is clean, green and economically sustainable electricity production. When that is developed we can have electric cars, for which the technology already exists. A lot of people say that electric cars are weak, think again. Kilowatt (horsepower for you guys) for kilowatt, electric motors have around 10 times more torque than an average automobile internal combustion engine. This means that electric cars will be excellent drag racers. Also, the torque is greatest at stall, so no variable transmission is needed. No complex coooling system is needed. Electric cars will be soooo much cheaper to maintain and also cheaper to build and way way way more reliable - the number of moving parts will be probably 10x less.
Actually, I started off my day this morning sending an email to one of our State Senators about a bill that she will vote on this week. It concerns the ratio of nurses to patients in our health care facilities. There is a bill in my state attempting to stop the practice of having fewer and fewer nurses care for more and more patients. We have reached a point in many of our health care facilities where good health care is no longer practiced and nurses no longer have time to care for their patients. Anyway, as a future male nurse (one year left!) I thought our elected members should be concerned about quality health care for our citizens. I will be surprised if my email made any difference, but maybe it will. At least I feel I tried. Best wishes.
I went to my fifth year of University in Paris, France back in 1983. The price of gas in Paris was equivalent to about $5.00 gallon when in the states I was paying about $1.00 per gallon. It didn't matter to me. As a poor foreign exchange student in Paris I just bought a monthly mass transit pass for $20.00 which was good on every bus, all the metro trains, and even some trains going out to the subburbs. Cheapest transportation I ever paid for. The geography of the states may make some mass transportation impossible, but I don't know why our cities can't do a better job with inter-city transportation like our European friends. Best wishes.
Shredd- the story on Iraq interesting, but one thing many overlook is our nations struggles and how many years we had to overcome government policy, internal policy, differences, etc. Many Colonists wanted the rule of GB when they were forced to dire times and massive change with no real leadership. Even after the Declaration, many wanted \"the old way\". Same for countries that change leadership or lose leadership in whichever scenario. This kind of thing can date back to any civilization or empire of the past.
Gas is a problem and we are hungrier for it. We weren't as bothered at 2.50/ga (1.00 increase from previous cycle). California was looking at the Electric cars and killed the whole scheme when leadership backed off the 10% electric by 06 or 08. We did not hear hear about it if at all. Totally under the media radar. Even the destruction of the E cars in Calif and other test areas was not front page news.
Hydrogen cells won't cut it and will be more expensive. That was a dumb decision not to use electric cars for day to day work. Potential of 150 mpd on a charge meant no need for oil. Ethanol is not a solution either.