Originally Posted by moosicman
Nobody has mentioned these cars I don't think. I came in on this late and admit I didn't read every jot and tittle of all of these posts. BUT, here are a couple of inexpensive car alternatives that DO NOT cost more, in fact cost LESS than all of the others that have been put forth to this point (unless I missed a post somewhere):
Honda Fit = base price 13,950 and top model is 16,070
SmartCar = base price 11,590 and top model is 16,590
Granted they are smaller and not for those who need vehicles as workhorses but for an everyday vehicle (MOST of the population commuting to and from the job) this is the way to go. PLUS, the Smartcar has EXCELLENT safety ratings!!! So there are two alternatives (there are more than just those too) that don't cost an arm and a leg that can make a great impact on our situaton. My next vehicle purchase will be either of these two cars or the Ford Focus (which starts at 14,755, is American made and gets 35 mpg on the hwy). If we stopped buying vehicles to give us so called "status" and instead bought what would suit our needs instead of our wants, that would help, too. Thankfully, this little crunch we are in is starting to push us towards that (the silver line in the cloud, I think). I'm tired of seeing SUV driving soccer moms!
BTW, didn't the Flower Gardens National Banks research facility use to be a natrual gas platform (HIA 389A)?? Hey, I think it did!! I'm glad they put that thing there!! It has done sooo much good. My point is that we humans are GOING TO MAKE AN ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT. That is an unavoidable fact. But it doesn't have to be a RAPE of the earth and of nature. Drilling (not my first choice but under the circumstances it is a short term solution until we find better alternatives) can be done safetly and environmentally responsible but must have oversight AND when its first course of use has been run we should use it for greater good such as research facilities and the like. In the meantime we must push for better energy sources and research so that we don't get into such a jam like this again!
Another thing: I have found that many of the people who complain about oil or energy and don't wish to drill or build new plants are pretty hypocritical. I'm not pointing out any particular person, but we have to be self-sacrificing if we are to help this mess. Do you dry your clothes on a line? Do you let the water run while you are brushing your teeth? Do you recycle your plastic, aluminum, and glass. Do you turn off your computer when you are away from it (or your printer--and I don't mean "power-save mode")? Do you run your AC at 70 degrees or 75?? I admit...some of this stuff is a PAIN (I know because I do these and other things). BUT, my electric bill is CHEEEEAAAPP (around 80 dollars during the summer months in the freekin-hot south west Georgia and its even cheaper in the winter, of course). I have experienced many who can't disrupt thier comfortable lifestyle to make the sacrifice to do such things. Here is my thoughts on that: either PUT UP or SHUT UP! Crap or get off the pot! I am 100% PRO-environment AND I am for drilling! These problems are not like that stupid movie "The Sphere" where we can hold hands and just "wish" it away. It is impractical to think that until some alternative is found in a mass-production-effective way that we can just hug enough trees to make the world right again. These are problems that could very well tip us into another world war, with cataclismic results. If you think not, then your not being intellectually honest with yourself. Look at the chess board of the world. The pieces are moving into place for just such and event. I'll take an unsightly oil rig off my coastline over sending our son's and daughters into a world of hell and battle ANY day of the week and twice on Sunday's! But we MUST, in the meantime, find other sources of energy!!!
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