Can America Survive $5-a-gallon at the Pump?

[Charles Bronson Forever]

Absolutely, but very tough times are ahead. Really, how the hell are we gonna get out of this mess unless we drill and refine at home? When is Washington going to do something? Easy. When WE do something about it.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Sure.

Buy a company. Fire the workers. Send the factory to China, and then sell the imports.

That what you’re doing?...

[mplsconservative]

Sad. I’d find a new occupation.

That was a really snarky comment.

I'm not trying to go all negative on the economy, but people are feeling the pinch. I know we certainly are affected by fuel and food costs.

I blame the envirowhackos and their political lackeys for not allowing drilling in ANWR and the ethanol debacle for this mess.

Please try to be a little more understanding that not everyone can magically change their situation with a glorious new career. I count my family in the same boat as Mysterio.

[rintense]

The effects of $7 gas will be staggering. The loses to the travel industry alone would send the economy into a depression.

[Sunnyflorida]

I like when there are auto workers in Michigan complaining about no auto jobs! MOVE. Get and education. Start a side business.

It frustrates the hell out of me. On the worst day this is still the land of opportunity. Sure gas prices are higher than they were or should be but really... If $20 extra bucks breaks you I say give up smoking and bud and buy some shares of XOM.

I have my sin fund. It is huge.

[andiesmom]

Glen Beck had someone on tonite who said that even if we could drill in Anwar, it would take 10-15 years to see the benefit here in America.

[tips up]

Pelosi has this mess all figured out, so she said in 2006. OK Nan, go for it...

[kempo]

It wasn't to many years ago the liberals were running on the platform of doubling the price of gas by raising gas taxes so people would drive less. This, according to them would be good for the environment. What was his name, oh ya, Al Gore.

[Sunnyflorida]

“Buy a company. Fire the workers. Send the factory to China, and then sell the imports.”

Maybe, maybe not but I’m not looking for a gubmint bailout. And I’m not whining.

[mplsconservative]

Kay Bailey Hutchinson was on with Rush today and is pushing for domestic drilling. Recently there was a huge find of oil in North Dakota. With new technology, something called horizontal drilling (?) the fields could be up and running in 2 years.

That is, if the Democrats will allow it. Wouldn’t fit their game plan, though.

[Sunnyflorida]

“I’m not trying to go all negative on the economy, but people are feeling the pinch. I know we certainly are affected by fuel and food costs.

I blame the envirowhackos and their political lackeys for not allowing drilling in ANWR and the ethanol debacle for this mess.”

Who didn’t see it coming. I blame the wackos and the “regular” people that sat on their hands. How many people voted for that idiot McCain - anti ANWAR.

And I would fine a new occupation, I’m serious. Not instant but instead of spending time posting on FReeper study. I don’t know insurance or accounting. I know people that became CPAs at 60. Working two jobs and raising a family.

This is the land of opportunity and if all you can afford is cheap food and fuel it is hardly anybody’s fault but you own.

Still people need to take responsibility for their own life and gas is cheap compared to almost anything that does what gas does. It should be cheaper but it is still a bargain.

I bet half the people complaining about fuel have been wasting money on cigarettes, lottery tickets, and other crap most of their life. If you put this in XOM stock you would be singing.

[Jim Hill]

It really is all about choices. Unfortunately too many folks are unwilling to suffer the inconvenience of changing their behavior, lifestyle, etc. to adapt to new and changing circumstances.

[P-40]

Those people sure got quiet all of a sudden. You’d think they would be jumping for joy. Now why aren’t they. :)

[Kickass Conservative]

Gas pump price re-setter.

[Sunnyflorida]

A lot is ignorance. Some people that complain about gas prices do not realize Ethanol is one of the reasons.

[mysterio]

I actually have a grad degree. I work in research. I like my job. But I'm not rich. I think if all of us who work in basic research were to quit our jobs to get better paying ones so we can pay extreme prices for energy, the country might be a bit worse off.

I don't care about being a millionaire. But a lot of us are feeling the pinch, and it bothers me that our country refuses to pursue energy independence.

Anyway, I presented the example because a large percentage of our GDP is people going out and buying stuff. If a lot of people in my income range stop going out and making discretionary purchases, I would guess the effects will be widespread.

[prayforpeaceofJerusalem]

government!

[tanknetter]

Yes, because we can choose to change habits and priorities and adjust personal budgets, or make more money and deal with it that way.

I see telecommuting (both part-time and full-time) potentially exploding because of high gas prices. Even in a recession (and US recessions have pretty low unemployment rates relative to the rest of the world), or perhaps especially during a recession, companies aren't going to be able to attract and retain top-notch employees based on what they can afford to pay in salaries alone.

Allowing me to work from home two days a week amounts to a 25-30% reduction in my gasoline expenses (with smaller actual dollar savings when it comes to wear/tear/maintenance on my car), and that works out to an extra $150 per month in my pocket if gas prices hit $4 a gallon.

[Sunnyflorida]

“it bothers me that our country refuses to pursue energy independence. “

Me too. It bugs the crap out of me. It bugged me 20 years ago. I saw this coming for a long time.

[P-40]

We are pursuing energy independence on a scale I never thought possible. It just does not make the nightly news.

[Kickass Conservative]

I'm waiting for the price to drop on a “pre-owned” SL 600.
The higher the gas price goes, the less I will pay.
It will be my “fun” car, for weekend trips.