IF $4.00/Gallon of gas happens will you change your habits?

[no1_vern]

Many People are complaining about the high cost of fuel. Some just shrug it off as if there is nothing we can do to change it, but there are many things we could do to keep it from hitting us so hard. We could to cut down on driving. We could car pool or use public transportation to work. Don't make unnecessary trips into town. Go grocery shopping on the way home from work so we don't have to make an additional trips. Ride your bicycle to work/school/shopping even.

Will you just shrug it off or change? How will you change?

[MTAtech]

I'm not typical. I drive 2 miles to the train to go to work. My wife drives 35 miles to and from work in a fuel efficient car.

We've insulated the house well; we bought energy savings appliances. We don't have much else to cut but, on the other hand, $4.00 gas isn't going to eat into our lifestyles.

[Chuckiechan]

I'm going to change into a Democrat so we can start drilling for oil and becoming energy independent. Just like the Chinese are doing off the coast of Florida.

[The Real Bingo]

If I lived in warm climate, I would think about getting a bike, or a motorcycle. But I don't, so I probably won't.

I don't drive much - less than 4,000 miles per year - so I'm not too worried.

I try to look at the positive side of things: $4/gallon gas is just another step closer to making it more economical to switch to an alternative source and have the Arabs drowning in their liquid gold.

[RayH]

I have already pretty much quit driving. I now take public transit, leaving the car in the garage. I've driven 221 miles since Xmas.

[Mike]

Bay Area folks probably have another month or so before we begin to see $4 per gallon. We already have the highest national average of $3.58 per gallon.

I do most of my commuting by train or bike, and don't even own a car, so I am not overly concerned.

[MikeHof]

I work in Pizza delivery & it's about to become worthless for me to continue in this job as most pizza shops aren't keeping up with gas reimbursement.

[vass0922]

I have a long commute (approx 30-40 mins depending on traffic could go up to an hr), however I do commute with 2 other people that drive in from farther west.
Been commuting for past few years
So wont change much in that regard.
I do drive a lot outside of the commute, but as it gets hotter out I dont like driving much

[tony_j15]

I can't change. I have to drive to work and school. Sure, I could get a mega loan and buy one of those cute little hybrids...

[cunokyle]

Yeah, I'll buy a motorcycle. Been looking at a Suzuki Boulevard C90 Black Edition.

[Atomic Rooster]

Ha! It's happened. A station in San Mateo, Ca is charging $4.35 a gallon for regular gasoline.

[lost-and-found]

Ha, there's nothing really I could change. I wish I could, but I already only use my car for work and school. Work is an hour's drive away, and school is fifteen minutes. Honestly this is hitting my pockets pretty badly.

Thankfully next year I'll be moving to central US for grad school, so I won't have to drive at all.

[darkertint]

In southern cali it's already at $4 a gallon at some stations. I drive a 5.4L Expedition, and the price of gas will never keep me from driving less.

[RobRich]

Why should behaviors change? We have cultivated a society of "I want it NOW, no matter how many people I have to screw over to get it" self-centered sheeple. They do not forsee a tomorrow, nor do they even care. Look no further than the previous asinine reply (thread post #13) for yet another defining example.

[darkertint]

Why should behaviors change? We have cultivated a society of "I want it NOW, no matter how many people I have to screw over to get it" self-centered sheeple. They do not forsee a tomorrow, nor do they even care. Look no further than the previous asinine reply (thread post #13) for yet another defining example.

How am I screwing over people by not minding to pay the price for gas? It doesn't have to do with saving the planet; it has to do with whether paying the price is worth the freedom of driving places, and I think it is.

[RobRich]

How am I screwing over people by not minding to pay the price for gas?

Then you have already experienced a failure of sight. How does one explain the color of the sky to a blind man?

[darkertint]

Then you have already experienced a failure of sight. How does one explain the color of the sky to a blind man?

Gas is a commodity that I'm willing to pay the price for. Your accusations of being "self-centered sheeple" don't even make sense. What idea is it that you think I'm aimlessly following?

[RobRich]

Your accusations of being "self-centered sheeple" don't even make sense.

Yet you believe gasoline is a commodity in today's market?

Do you believe gasoline is subject to capitalistic free market rules and has no significant qualitative differentiation across markets? Or is it you seek to apply the Marxist correlative to commodities by assessing the labor theory of value? If so, please explain the relevance to the current supply chain, distribution, and retail sales models being utilized by the petroleum industry.

Again, as I have already essentially implied, I could sit here for hours and attempt to persuade your opinion of apparently wanting to willingly contribute to massive trade deficits, prop up corrupt governments, fund a broken fuel market, etc. - without change or end (supply not withstanding), no matter the price you have to pay. However, given the usual results of DebateIMO "discussions," we both should know by now that it would be a waste of our collective time.

[Hey-Todd]

Geez Rob, the guy answered a simple question with a simple answer... why the attack on his opinion?

I think you've been spending too much time in DebateIMO.

[RobRich]

It is not an attack, and I hope it is not perceived as such. I do not know the guy. It is not personal.

Instead, my commentary called out a conveniently provided example of why gas prices will continue to climb, as the comment reflects a substantial portion of American sentiment towards the petroleum market.

Ultimately, the point I was essentially conveying is there is a difference between microeconomics and macroeconomics, yet many people fail to ever conceptualize the latter. To disregard one in favor of the other can be economically dangerous.

We will probably again have a similar discussion when gasoline approaches $5 per gallon, then $6 per gallon. etc. The questions too will likely remain the same; with the same solutions offered again, yet still largely ignored. With the generally lackluster consumer sentiment towards the situation (simply complaining is not the answer), the problem is when does the situation arrive at an economic breaking point?