[Capt. Bandaid]

Terrorists don't drive cars; they don't drive fuel prices. We, the people do. Gasoline will continue to rise in price because oil is in demand in China and India, two very large developing economies. Our government has lulled us into a sense of privelege. We deserve most of the worlds energy because we use most of it. I work in the energy industry and it feeds my family so don't think I am going to badmouth the energy companies. Any time you want to sell your SUV or motor home, your gasoline bills will go down.

[Kenny_S]

You mean OPEC has nothing to do with gas prices? They produce the most oil.

They produce X amount of oil for X amount of money per barrel. If they decide to produce less oil they charge more per barrel. Supply and demand. Futrue buyers may have some effect but not as much as the OPEC countries which Iran and Sryia. Both Terrorist countries hench terrorist do have something to do mwith driving prices and they drive cars also. If not, maybe there wouldn't be any car bombs,. No? Yes? Maybe?

BY the way, I like the freedom to buy what I want and have saved to buy. I drive a SUV that get 28 miles to the gallon. Better than some, not as good as others but I will buy another one.
I salute FREEDOM!

Just another perspective.

[K Karver]

Thanks for the insights Gene and the rest of you. Just got back from a quick trip to family in Michigan. But then family is still in the picture for us when it comes to travel. The gas issue, as Gene makes very clear, is not an easy one. Very complex. Just how tough are we Americans anymore? We have had tougher problems - wars, revolution, depressions - to solve or survive. I teach Jr. High kids. In a private, Christian school no less. We are babying our kids and they do not seem to be able to carry the load. Gene, it isn't just in the oil fields where we are losing out - our kids need a greater dose of reality - humans were meant to work, enjoy it when we can, but work we must. Had a 13 year old who didn't even know how to push a broom. I'll work on him for you Gene, and then try to send him south.

John K Karver

[hobo]

yep guys the charlotte n.c woodcarving show was down from last year too. high fuel prices ? yep . But I will still drive my ford 350v-10 and get 12 miles to the gal . Because im thinking about taken a loan out from china too. you see we dont have to give them money back just our oil from alaska.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Well, we can always move to the countries where gas is still cheap! Let's see now......Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Libya, Iran, Mexico, .............I think I'll just stay here!

[btree50]

I like Lynn's idea the best. You have transportation that is ecologically sound. The horses eat their fuel, which is a renewable resource. And they fertilize it to help keep it growing.
Gene is 100% correct about the skilled labor. I see it in my area, the kids today dont believe in repair, they believe in--replace with new. It is turning into an electronic system, video games, computer tech, etc. It seems to be why fix when you can replace.

[pileo'chips]

Well Capt.Bandaid to you and some of the others on the topic of rising fuel prices, i.e you believe that these prices are rising due to demand and economic growth in both China and other reigons and you are either deceived or are simply blind... The simple truth is that China has America over a barrel so to speak and more approtialy an "oil barrel " these problems arise from our own goverment with not only power hungry but also greedy politicians.. When our own goverment meets in closed section and selicts money and material for a communist nation such as China only to put us .i.e the American people in financial ruin so that they can gain power as a world leader and in the same right leave America owing $57 Billion thus far just to China.. Then China has bargaining chips that they can play like lifting tariffs on our trade agreements with them, so that they can send into this country less than standard material .i.e lead based painted toys to our children.....
All of this is so thatthey can raise the price of gas and fuel because a majority of our goverment profits each time that crude oil rises.. You act as though you want talk bad about some energy company because you work for them but I would venture to say that your pay has not increased at the same rate as inflation or FUEL PRICES. What America needs is a President that will take America back inasmuch as placing tariffs on foreign materials from any nation, and while I am own that subject of other nations when we as America invade another country because of terriosts then when you have completely destroyed it only agree to help rebuild if they foot the bill and agree to lower fuel prices from that country.....So please dont assume that just because you wont be able to take your motor home to some woodcarving show that you are suffering or strained over fuel prices unless you are willing to place the blame where it belongs

[Capt. Bandaid]

I guess my comment was unclear: all the cars in Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc, do not equal the the number of cars in America. I suggest you all go read the books "The Prize" and "The Seven Sister" and learn how the big oil companies operate. If we want to blame conspiracy theories for the price of gasoline, it will just go higher. If we want it to come down, we must impact the distribution and demand. Example: Oil Sands in Canada have proven reserves equal to Saudi Arabia; oil shale in Colorado EXCEEDS the reserves in Saudi Arabia. Our COAL reserves are the largest in the ENTIRE WORLD. We have more open space for Wind Farms than almost any modern country. So why has our govenment failed to generate investment and research into the ecologically safe recovery of these resources? Because WE THE PEOPLE still demand cheap gasoline.

[Paul_Guraedy]

It is my belief that this thread is moving far away from woodcarving. The subject matter would more appropriately be discussed on some other forum. As the one who started the ball rolling, I believe that I should be the one to stop it. I am using my position as a moderator to close this thread.