gas prices...

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: R2d2
Please, ........ put your tin-foil hat back on.

Yeah, when ever I see that stupid worn out phrase I KNOW I am onto something, and so do YOU.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: rshaw125
On the news tonight they were talking about who the traders are buying the oil for. Apparently us. Insurance companies and mutual funds. Own a life insurance policy? Have a retirement account? We're all speculators.

I don't care where the money for speculating on oil futures comes from, I still don't agree with it. They shouldn't be making money on the back of every oil consumer. And it's not clear the windfalls trickle down to the average insurance policy or mutual fund holder. I'm not that keen on insurance companies, mutual funds and Wall St to begin with.

 

[rshaw125]

My point is that whether your IRA contains a mutual fund that is speculating on IBM or oil the demand for return comes from us. There is not a room with an evil faceless dark speculator in it. We are the speculators/investors.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: grampi
Our current situation is bad enough that alternatives should be more sought after than they are. We need affordable and abundant alternatives, and we need them now. Why wait until our economy has been completely destroyed by gas prices?


If your agenda includes destroying the conventional way of life here, then this is the perfect storm....


I'm not suggesting we destroy anything. I'm saying we need as much as can be produced, and as many energy sources (including the ones we currently use) that can be developed. We can't just continue on using finite sources and waiting for their price to get so high it finally makes alternatives worth looking at. Alternatives need to be developed so they're less expensive...

 

[doitmyself]

Talk is cheap. We WILL NOT embrace alternatives until forced to by high gas prices and/or shortage of supply.

Our history proceeds us.

In the mean time, emerging economies (China, India...) may force the destruction of our "conventional way of life" whether we like it or not. I imagine war will be our solution then?

Ironically, I am involved directly with cellulosic ethanol research. There's some exciting things going on here, but IMO, this will be just a tiny part of the puzzle.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: rshaw125
My point is that whether your IRA contains a mutual fund that is speculating on IBM or oil the demand for return comes from us. There is not a room with an evil faceless dark speculator in it. We are the speculators/investors.


I did see what you are saying but the problem with that logic is you are suggesting that everyone is responsible and is getting their money back or then some. What's really happening is a few people are getting the lion share of the windfall speculating with other people's money and on the backs of oil consumers. I'm just not for speculation on commodities, one cannot opt out of oil consumption. You can make similar arguments with consumers demanding Chinese made goods. No matter who's to blame, I don't think it's good to allow it to go on. Anyway this is getting off topic.

 

[Mr Nice]

We need smaller vehicles in the USA, period.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
We need smaller vehicles in the USA, period.



And/or alternative powered vehicles...

 

[Cutehumor]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
We need smaller vehicles in the USA, period.



+1 smaller vehicles with hybrid/electric technology. the government might not like it because if you are not using gasoline. they won't get any fuel tax. aka nissan leaf.