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Gas Saving Solution...A Must Read.
Here are some solutions to help Americans at the gas pump this summer:
1. Introduce legislation to give people mass transit vouchers that can be used throughout the work.
2. Invest in alternative energy resources like solar, wind, hydrogen.
3. Walk or ride a bike when you can. You don't need a vehicle to go to the convince store.
4. GET AN F'n SMALLER CAR! Why do you need and SUV? All you are doing is complaining about how high gas is and now you want a gas tax suspension? Why, so that you can drive on the road...the road that after this summer because of the gas tax holiday will be in need of desperate repair but we won't have the funds to repair because you saved $20 dollars at the PUMP!!!!!!!
Yeeeeaaah, I got'cha gas tax holiday Right Hee'ya
Oh, feel free to add anymore if you can think of'em.
Comments (5)
They're all good ideas. But I'm going to play devil's advocate for a moment.
1.) The Mass Transit one is a good idea. But it's only going to work in places that have existing public transportation systems. For example, my brother takes the train into the city every day for work (from CT) but he has to drive to get the the train station, which is about 20-25 minutes from home. Additionally, for many rural areas this type of transportation is completely nonexistent. I lived somewhere once where the closest grocery store was a 30 minute drive. No bus, no subway, and a bike-ride there would have taken you all day.
2.) Walk/ride a bike - again, in some parts of the country this just isn't feasible. Some elderly, for one, are likely unable to do this even if the places are close. Also, in rural and some suburban areas, it is a bit of a drive to these places.
3.) Smaller cars - Absolutely. However, there are exceptions. Some people need big trucks for work. Some need vans/SUVs for work. We should encourage people to look for the most gas-efficient versions of those.
Some other ways to cut down on gas useage?
Additionally, if people change the way they drive they can increase gas efficiency by a surprising amount.
I'm not making these points to shoot down the others. They are all good ideas. The problem is that America is a country that was essentially built on roads. Mass transportation exists primarily only in the metropolitan areas.
May 2, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
My mom lives in a 55 and over community where most of the homeowners are seniors and a number do not drive. Those who do, ALWAYS offer to take a neighbor to the store or hospital or other errands.
Those who are able do walk to the neighborhood supermarket, post office banks and satellite hospital clinics nearby. (Frankly, they put me to shame -- no excuse to drive when you can walk.) those who walk use wagons or carts to bring their purchases home. But they do walk places and many are proud that they still can get out and about.
More people bought big trucks and SUVs for the vanity of it rather than the practicality. Let's face, most people don't need a Hummer to get to work, don't need to go "off-road" to commute. Let's be honest on that one. Big cars have always been big American status symbols.
Carpool to the mass transit stop. Rethink all the activities you signed your kids up for that you have to haul them all over town for. Consolidate and share the driving with a neighbor to your grocery store or to run errands.
Where possible cities or town should allow small electric cars or golf carts for certain kinds of traffic control, create more pedestrian malls and outlaw cars in those areas, like the (GASP!!!) European and make people walk.
Charge more for single driver vehicles.
May 2, 2008 6:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Charge more for single driver vehicles on toll roads, etc.
(Damn you, Robitussin! cough cough)
May 2, 2008 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
One thing that occurred to me (a long time ago) was putting a surcharge on monthly parking ramp contracts in downtown areas of major cities. Use the proceeds for a dedicated subsidy fund for public transit. Those who insist on driving in can help those who will do the sensible, congestion-reducing thing and take a bus or light rail.
And build light rail, and put bus service back in, and set them on realistic schedules, so they are viable options for times other than rush hours.
High-speed intercity rail is time-competitive with flying for trips of under 500 miles or so, once the Homeland Security Theater waiting times are factored in.
Also begin serious high-level analysis of how to adapt our current combustion-based energy infrastructure towards building the non-combustion-based infrastructure we're going to need going forward. Solar, wind, geothermal, hydro, tidal, and yes, nuclear all are going to be needed. We just need to be a lot more careful about building and operating them.
There is no "one size fits all" solution - there are multiple parts that need to be fitted into a comprehensive whole.
And yes, don't drive when walking will do. It's good for you, and makes your heart and lungs healthier. Not to mention what a good walk does for quieting the mind.
May 2, 2008 6:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Harrumph!
May 3, 2008 10:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
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