Like everyone, I am feeling the pinch at the pump. As I filled the tank on my once reasonable car, an Isuzu Rodeo, I got to thinking, how much of this is America willing to take? I am not so young that the gas shortage of the 70’s is ancient history, I was there; however, I am not old enough to have felt the financial pain of filling the tank or waiting in line. But it now seems that the ghosts of the 70’s are here. Grant it, we are not waiting in long lines, yet, for gas, but we are certainly paying through the nose.
Auto Industry Responds to America (not really)
As I was working out today I was watching Fox News. Of course, they had their obligatory high gas price story. The anchor was describing how the auto industry is responding to the high gas prices with new technology. Hydrogen cars? Electric cars? Mr. Fusion to power the electric car? No. the industry is introducing new wheels and tires that generate less friction and can give you, (are you sitting down?), up to 1MPG more. Is this the best the genius minds in the auto industry have to offer? WTF? We can put man on the moon but we can’t introduce technology that already exists. How much power does one lobby have over the current administration? Do they have pictures of Bush playing golf with Satan? Perhaps the first daughter’s wedding was a bit pricey and we need to keep those oil dollars flowing to pay off the tab. Folks, the science is there. It is tested and proven. Tesla Motors makes a $110K concept cars that go 250 miles on a single battery charge, go from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, is the equivalent cost of 2 cents per gallon gas, and can recharge on 8 hours, 2 hours if you use their special recharger. Yes, this is outside the purchase reality of the average American; however, it need not be.
Where is the government?
Now, I am the last person to say that Big Government is good and that it should interfere with the free market economy; however, if there ever was a time, now is it. I make a good living. Thus far, I have been able to modify my budget to allow for gas price increases. But for how long and to what dollar per gallon level? My mind wanders to the single parent trying to make ends meet who has a tight budget already. How are they to combat these increases? Will people reach a point where welfare is a better option because they can no longer afford to have their once reasonable paying job because it costs too much to work? When will we see gas based crime? Remember the days of siphoning in the 70’s? How long until I am “gas-jacked?” Perhaps i am actually safer because people will only be stealing fuel efficient cars. And that will be the soccer moms.
An Inconvenient Answer
The immediate answer to the American gas problem is alternative fuel vehicles and public transportation. Get America driving cheap again in hydrogen or electric based vehicles. Give massive tax incentives to buy alternate fuel cars and for business ventures that support them or produce them. Make it such a pain in the ass for the oil, gas and auto industry to continue to sell there wares that they have no choice but to join the crowd. On top of all the money, happy American drivers, and freedom, we will start impacting the effects of green house gases. Wow two for one.
Hey McCain or a democrat to be named later! Want to win the hearts and minds of America? Commit to alternative fuel vehicles and stick to the promise. There is nothing better that the old fashion way of getting elected, buy the American public by giving them back what was taken from them by the current administration, their freedom, financial security, and dignity.
Buzzword Bingo
