Gas consumption drops 1 percent

[bananas]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004294029_gasdrop20.html

Gas consumption drops 1 percent

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Across the country, people already struggling with rising food prices, weak wage growth and falling home values are finding ways to manage the soaring cost of gasoline. They're combining errands, sharing rides, eliminating pleasure trips and using public transit more.

In fact, U.S. consumers caused a remarkable 1 percent drop in gas consumption the last eight-week-period over a year ago.

Gas use should be rising 1.5 percent annually just to keep up with the population, according to Tom Kloza, publisher and chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service in Wall, N.J.

The last time a drop that length was recorded was in early 1997.

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[MADem]

1. I was always very good about conserving gas--now I'm even better! NT

[taterguy]

2. And yet every day I see hundreds of cars taking trips that could be easily done on a bicycle

Ponderous, fucking ponderous

[DCKit]

3. Wow!!

Imagine what we could do if we even tried!

When WalMart's sales drop 10% because people are no longer driving their trucks and SUVs 40 miles to buy shit they don't need, I'll believe gas prices have reached a level that justifies all the bitching.

[Zynx]

4. Another 2-3% we can break these prices. Inelastic demand curves cut both ways.

[Kolesar]

5. In New Orleans, Detroit and Cleveland, 25% of households don't have cars

From what I recall. We will be seeing more of that.

[Dead_Parrot]

6. So, we're only 99% screwed? nt

[Zynx]

8. Actually, a 10% reduction in demand would do wonders.

[Dead_Parrot]

11. yes, we'd be only 90% fucked.

This is better how, exactly?

[Zynx]

12. Actually, no. It dramatically reduces prices. Inelastic demand curves work both ways.

It also gives us quite a bit of breathing room in terms of timeline for coming up with alternatives. You are looking at the problem far too simply. A 10% reduction in demand would cause far more than a 10% reduction in price.

[DontGetFooled]

15. I don't think so.

One of the major factors in the price of gasoline is the value of the dollar compared to the Euro. Oil is being traded in Euro's. Right now, the Euro is equal to about $1.51. Until we stabilize the dollar against foreign currency's, we will continue to see high prices not only for gasoline, but for all consumable goods.

There are a few things that can be done to help stabilize the dollar. One would be to get rid of the Federal Reserve and get the dollar backed by Gold again.

Another thing that can be done is to do away with ALL minimum wage laws. Minimum wage laws do nothing but drive inflation by artificially raising prices of goods and services. But I could see that doing that would not appeal to the Democratic base. (Mainly the poor and un-educated members of our society). Thinking beyone a headline is too much to ask from most liberal/progressive voters.

[Callalily]

7. I guess in the whole scheme

of things 1% is remarkable.

But, with a little effort, everyone could cut their gas consumption considerably.

I just moved close to my employment and have cut my gas consumption by 98%! Additionally, I drive a gas efficient car.

[4dsc]

9. Big whoop!!!

ANd there are still major traffic jams EVERY MORNING in every major city across this country.. If carpooling was mandatory, we'd see a drop of much more than 1%..

[marmar]

10. If people only realized their own power.....

n/t

[One_Life_To_Give]

13. 10% of the people saving 10% of their fuel?

I think this is more like 10% of the people are actually trying to reduce the amount of fuel they use. With 90% being buisiness as usual.

[NickB79]

14. So, Chinese and Indian drivers have millions of barrels more oil available

For them to burn up in their booming economy?

Hooray?