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Would You Drive 55?
Time ^ | Friday, Jul. 25, 2008 | WILLIAM SCHULTZ

Posted on 07/26/2008 10:17:58 AM PDT by Entrepreneur

Liberals say Iraq is another Vietnam; conservatives say Barack Obama is Jimmy Carter redux. ABBA's a mega-hit and Elton John's going to be performing at Madison Square Garden. Had enough of these '70s flashbacks? Brace yourself for another: the return of the national speed limit, courtesy of one of the country's most venerable politicians.

Senator John Warner (R-VA) — elected in 1978 — recently expressed interest in the idea of a national speed limit to conserve gasoline. Warner, who is not running for re-election this year, wrote to U.S. Secretary of Energy Sam Bodman, asking "at what speed is the typical vehicle traveling on America's highways today most fuel efficient?"

Warner told TIME his concern is for "the many millions and millions [of Americans] of limited means, sitting around their kitchen table trying to figure out how to make ends meet." Unlike long-term alternative energy sources, Warner says, a speed limit would work to bring down gas prices immediately. "Maybe some guy's got a better idea," he says. "But I haven't seen it."

The National Maximum Speed Limit of 55 mph was created in 1974, when Richard Nixon signed the Emergency Energy Highway Conservation Act. Prior to that, states had been free to set their own speed limits, but the new law threatened to strip Federal highway funding from any state straying above the national standard. The ostensible purpose of this limit was to keep down gas prices, which had been driven through the roof by an OPEC embargo touched off by the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. And with gas-prices once again sky-high, Warner isn't alone in talking up a cap on speeding.

(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 55mph; energy; gas; transportation; warner
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To: Entrepreneur

Warner should get back to drooling on his bib, crapping in his Grampers, and pulling his chubby while he dreams of Liz 35 years ago. Leave the real work to Senators, like Coburn or Sessions, with a spine.


41 posted on 07/26/2008 11:05:32 AM PDT by RoadKingSE (How do you know that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a muzzle flash?)
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To: JimSEA
I drive 75 (limit is 65) on I-5 between Roseburg OR and Portland OR. I am usually almost run off the road with fully half the cars going 80 or more. I know, I am one of those irritating “older” drivers. However, can you imagine the chaos if a 55 limit is enforced. No thanks!!

But your not thinking about all the revenue that will be generated for all the small towns that are on your route. All those fine and bribes and kickbacks will really help those honest small town cops and justices of the Peace. Just think about that great movie "Nothing But Trouble".

42 posted on 07/26/2008 11:05:39 AM PDT by fella (.He that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough." Pv.28:19')
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To: Lady Jag

Designing a modern car that got its peak mileage at 45 would be stupid. We didn’t buy an econobox for a reason.


43 posted on 07/26/2008 11:10:33 AM PDT by Eaker (The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule. (H.)
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To: Entrepreneur

I didn’t drive 55 last time around....given the expanse of this nation it’s asinine.

Libs love it....they never go anywhere and if they do they drive like mice anyhow.

how libs drive reflects their neurosis...scared little pups clutching the wheel wanting it to be over


44 posted on 07/26/2008 11:13:35 AM PDT by wardaddy (Myself and my ancestors take full responsibility for all racial discrimination here since 1607)
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To: Entrepreneur
We've already tried this particular bit of enviro-lunacy and it didn't work. That was why the double-nickel was repealed - a nonsensical law that is routinely violated by most people only encourages contempt and disregard for all laws in general.

I'd rather see some legislation prohibiting out-of-touch idiot Senators who spend their lives being chauffeured around from proposing laws which would make the daily commute even harder for Americans.
45 posted on 07/26/2008 11:14:11 AM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: Vince Ferrer

Bingo!


46 posted on 07/26/2008 11:18:19 AM PDT by Cold Heart
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To: JimSEA

Yes, but remember you could only wait in line to fill up if it was your odd/even day


47 posted on 07/26/2008 11:18:56 AM PDT by Mom MD (on)
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To: RightWhale

it sure matters to those of us who have to drive long distances for business

i drive 75,000 miles a year on business

that’s over 9 weeks extra driving time annually

not to mention loss of productive business time to get things done


48 posted on 07/26/2008 11:19:30 AM PDT by wardaddy (Myself and my ancestors take full responsibility for all racial discrimination here since 1607)
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To: RightWhale

Same..I’m lucky if I get up to 55 anymore...


49 posted on 07/26/2008 11:20:09 AM PDT by Michael Barnes (You will know I am dead when a news paper reoprts "The Government has Michael Barnes' guns".)
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To: Entrepreneur

I drive 2-3 miles over the speed limit so 57-58. On the Interstate it’s 65.

When not on the Interstate, people *do* get ticked and ride my bumper when doing 57-58. They they take chances on double-yellow, hills, etc. Whatever.


50 posted on 07/26/2008 11:27:31 AM PDT by Fury
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To: Entrepreneur

Better yet have the states make it much harder to purchase a drivers license or easier for law enforcement to deny the right at the side of the road. Idiocy should not be awarded the opportunity to burn road fuel...that might take care of about 55 percent 8^)


51 posted on 07/26/2008 11:27:47 AM PDT by Dust in the Wind (Praying for Reign)
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To: Cyber Liberty
Sure, I’d drive 55...for a few moments as I accelerate to 85.

I'm with you. I drive 55 twice a day, nonce when accelerating and once when slowing down!

52 posted on 07/26/2008 11:28:52 AM PDT by calex59
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To: JimSEA

I drive 80 between Grants Pass and northern Oregon all the time, the roads are made for those speeds.

I would never drive 55, it takes forever to get from my house to PDX at that speed.

Ed


53 posted on 07/26/2008 11:30:28 AM PDT by Sir_Ed
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To: Lady Jag
My Jag gets peak gas mileage at 70 as well.

Do does my TR7.

54 posted on 07/26/2008 11:32:03 AM PDT by calex59
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To: Entrepreneur

The National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 was about the best thing that came out of Bill Clinton’s time in office.

National speed limits are silly. Let the states and local areas decide what is best.

Besides there is plenty of oil if the Demonrats will let us drill for it. And Al Gore’s global warming crusade is nothing but a hoax. There is no reason other than road conditions to limit speed to a crawl on highways.

Drill Here! Drill NOW!!


55 posted on 07/26/2008 11:33:43 AM PDT by Kandy Atz ("Let him rave on that men may know him mad.")
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To: Entrepreneur
Drill for oil or DRILL for sure (Don't Re-elect Insipient Lollygagging Loonies).
56 posted on 07/26/2008 11:33:44 AM PDT by WilliamofCarmichael (If modern America's Man on Horseback is out there, Get on the damn horse already!)
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To: TNCMAXQ

I got in back of a new VW Beetle going 40 mph on I-5 from Grants Pass to Medford!

The guy was a total traffic hazard, people were slamming on their brakes, zooming around him, it was really stupid and dangerous.

When I got around him I saw he was a goofy dreadlocked greenie who was proud of doing his bit to save Gaia.

In Oregon it’s illegal to go that slow, it represents a traffic hazard.

Ed


57 posted on 07/26/2008 11:34:20 AM PDT by Sir_Ed
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To: Entrepreneur

Wait a minute, I thought we ran out of gas and oil back in the 70’s during Jimah Caatah’s regime.

You mean we still have oil and gas? Where have I been?

What’s the percentage of gasoline used up in daily commutes and slow city driving? 95%? 98%?

On the interstates or highways, I like to put it on cruise control, turn on the music and open the beer, wine, chips and salsa and just take it easy.


58 posted on 07/26/2008 11:41:38 AM PDT by garyhope (It's World War IV, right here, right now, courtesy of Islam. TWP VRWC)
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To: Sherman Logan
I believe the maximum average gas mileage on the interstate would be achieved by enforcing a 45 mph speed limit.

Which would be negated by cars idling in traffic jams.

59 posted on 07/26/2008 11:42:16 AM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (BARACK OBAMA WILL SAVE US! HE HAS RISEN!!)
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To: eclecticEel
Thank you. Look who's advocating this mess. Rino Warner and the lib media. They enjoy making other people miserable. This was one of the worst ideas of the seventies, repealed by Reagan's administration in 1987 after a fight with the Democrats.

The highway patrol was anointed as royal tax collectors back then. Driving anywhere of distance was miserable. They want to tax your very existence, people. Don't get into these stupid arguments over gas mileage. We've cut consumption like crazy, but just listen to them. It isn't about that.

That the people selling this are using a putrid Rino on the way out tells you they know how unpopular this would be, so the true reasoning behind this won't see the light of day. They are sticking Orwellian cameras all over remote areas of highways. They are walking all over us.

This is about money, power, and control. It always is with these socialists.

60 posted on 07/26/2008 11:43:07 AM PDT by Luke21
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