![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
In one gear and out the other...
Sep. 12th, 2008 10:59 pmSo I saw two things today which, when juxtaposed, say a lot about the current state of America's relationship to private transport and our "right" to cheap fuel.
First, while driving to lunch I pulled up next to one of those godawful stretch Hummer limos. Now, those are bad enough, but this one went that extra mile for godawful and overly grandiose consumption. It was jacked up about 4 feet off the ground and on oversize wheels. Not quite monster-truck sized, but in the same vicinity. So here's this vehicle that's already a paean to conspicuous consumerism and the owner of the limo service managed to find a way to make it even MORE over-the-top.
Then came the flip-side. When driving home from work just now, I passed several gas stations. Keep in mind that this morning, when I drove in to work, the highest gas price for regular was (if I recall correctly) $3.61/gal. This evening, the cheapest station was at $3.69, with a full lot and a line of cars 10 deep in the street and police presence to maintain order! The next cheapest stations were at $3.99, $4.09 and, I kid you not, $4.79.
Congratulations, everyone! We managed to celebrate 9/11 with a spectacular new tradition! Don't expect to ever see gas prices fall below $4/gal after this weekend! HappyTerrorist Blood-For-Oil Price-Gouging Insensate Panic Day!
I'm not going to get into my opinions on WHY the prices are jumping so drastically, since I'm certain they're pretty commonly held and kinda trite at the moment.
First, while driving to lunch I pulled up next to one of those godawful stretch Hummer limos. Now, those are bad enough, but this one went that extra mile for godawful and overly grandiose consumption. It was jacked up about 4 feet off the ground and on oversize wheels. Not quite monster-truck sized, but in the same vicinity. So here's this vehicle that's already a paean to conspicuous consumerism and the owner of the limo service managed to find a way to make it even MORE over-the-top.
Then came the flip-side. When driving home from work just now, I passed several gas stations. Keep in mind that this morning, when I drove in to work, the highest gas price for regular was (if I recall correctly) $3.61/gal. This evening, the cheapest station was at $3.69, with a full lot and a line of cars 10 deep in the street and police presence to maintain order! The next cheapest stations were at $3.99, $4.09 and, I kid you not, $4.79.
Congratulations, everyone! We managed to celebrate 9/11 with a spectacular new tradition! Don't expect to ever see gas prices fall below $4/gal after this weekend! Happy
I'm not going to get into my opinions on WHY the prices are jumping so drastically, since I'm certain they're pretty commonly held and kinda trite at the moment.
