Quote:
Originally Posted by aggie99
You are right that there are consumers that bear most of the burden of this issue and as always it affects the poor, elderly and underprivileged first. That is a whole different issue! What I don't like is taking the personal plight of an affected group to justify our ignorance. You can't tell me we thought we could continue consuming, as a nation, at the level we have, and still do, with no ramifications? We were not blindsided by this issue, we just chose to ignore it until it affected our pocket books and national security. When we have suburbs of Dallas that are closer to the Oklahoma border than downtown Dallas we have a problem. When the average home sizes in the US has increased from 1,400 sq.ft to 2,330 we have a problem. But tell someone 5 years ago they need to live closer to work or downsize their house or car to lessen the burden for the poorer class of America you would have been lynched. You are right we need a cure...not more bandages to hold back the bleeding. I just wish we hadn't ignored the symptoms for so long.
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We were becoming more efficient even before the spike in fuel prices. Progress was gradually being made. Some people were buying larger SUVs that were offsetting gains in vehicle improvements but other areas were marching forward. Windmill farms were being built many years ago, appliances and electronics were getting more efficient with each new model, fluorescent lighting was becoming common. But society is designed for generational changes, not abrupt changes that disrupt a way of life. We can eventually adapt to $5 or even $10 gas but not in two years.
Europe did not become efficient overnight, either. Nor are they living pain free now. They have seen gas go from about $8 to $10. Truckers and shippers in Europe are being badly hurt by their much smaller percentage increase. If Europe saw it's fuel costs double in two years it would collapse like a house of cards. They got to where they are over generations and to expect us to match it in a decade much less a few years is ridiculous.
At some point (perhaps now) high fuel prices become counter productive and hurt improved efficiency and alternative energies. Most of these solutions require a substantial capital investment upfront and these fuel prices are draining that capital. Look at places like rural Mexico and note how they drive old gas guzzling cars and use antique electricity sucking appliances. It isn't because they are rich and can afford to waste energy, it's because they can't afford the newer more efficient solution.