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Text of Sen. John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation
Posted on Saturday, May 22, 2004 @ 12:55:39 UTC by vlad
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To: National Desk, Political Reporter
Contact: Allison Dobson of John Kerry for President, 202-712-3000, Web site: http://www.johnkerry.com
WASHINGTON, May 22 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is the text of remarks by Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry in a radio address this morning:
Good morning, this is John Kerry.
Many of you are listening to this address while riding in your car. Some of you might be on your way to pick up your son or daughter from Little League. Others might be driving to the grocery store. You might be stuck in traffic on your way to the mall. And for many, you're pulling out of the gas station after filling up the tank.
How much did it cost you and your family this week? $30 or $40? Too many Americans filled up their cars and trucks this week and saw that for the first time the average price of a gallon of gas has climbed above $2.00. With Memorial Day weekend a few days away and nearly 30 million Americans expected to travel in their cars, families have to find more and more extra money in their budgets to pay for gas.
There are two reasons why we cannot be asleep at the wheel during this current energy crisis. First soaring energy prices are putting our economy at risk and second, our dependence on Middle East oil is putting our national security at risk.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
In the short-term, we can lower energy costs, help working families, and provide relief to our farmers who will spend an additional $1.3 billion on gas this year; to our truck drivers who will spend an additional $6 billion; and provide relief to our airlines that will spend an additional $7 billion on jet fuel. And in the long-term, we can have an energy plan that makes America independent of Middle East oil and strengthens our national security.
We can live in an America that is energy independent. We can live in an America that runs on the cars of the future that we only have to fill up once a month, not every week. We can live in an America that invests in new technology that will make us energy independent and provide good paying jobs for every American.
We can do this with a president who leads. America's can-do spirit invented the cars we drive and built the roads and bridges we use every day. Our imagination and sense of discovery took us to the moon. And our determination and perseverance helped us conquer diseases like polio.
When America sees a problem or a great possibility, it is in our collective character to set our sights on the horizon and not stop working until we get there. That's what America does best- and now we need to let America be America again so we can meet this energy challenge. Our dependence on foreign oil is a problem we must solve together the only way we can: by inventing our way out of it.
For decades, we have been stuck on a never-ending energy crisis rollercoaster. Gas prices rise and people talk about the need for a new energy policy. When gas prices drop, people drop the issue. If unrest erupts in the Middle East, people talk about the need to be independent of foreign oil. When prices drop and stability returns, we turn to another topic. It is time to get off this ride and chart a new course to energy independence.
But in the short-term, we have to help our families and business with these high energy costs. First, we should go to the Saudi government and other OPEC nations and demand that they increase supply. And second, we should divert oil that's being used to fill our reserves and bring it to the market to bring down prices. But short-term steps are just stopgaps unless we have a long-term plan.
I have a plan to invest in new technologies and alternative fuels to make America energy independent of Middle East oil. As president, I will establish tax credits that help consumers buy and manufacturers build fuel efficient cars. America is America when we lead the world to new inventions and technologies. And I believe America can and should be the place that builds the cars and creates the jobs of the future.
A strong America begins at home-with energy independence from the Middle East. Let's ensure that no young American soldier has to fight and die because of our dependence on foreign oil. This is the great project for our generation.
Next week is Memorial Day weekend-a time to honor Americans who served their country and a time to spend with our families. This year is going to be different.
We're at war and families are struggling to make ends meet, especially with rising gas prices. For our security, our economy, and our environment, we must make America energy independent. Together, let's do it.
I'm John Kerry. Thank you for listening.
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Paid for by John Kerry for President, Inc.
http://www.usnewswire.com/
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Re: Text of Sen. John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 1)
by kurt9 on Saturday, May 22, 2004 @ 14:46:48 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://www.metatechnica.com | Do you think he will promote funding of "sono" fusion, cold fusion, and zero-point energy?
What about a series of X-prizes, similar to the one for commercial manned space transportation?
Or do you think he will still try to push the delusion of piddle-power (solar, wind, etc.) instead?
The only alternative I see to this is nuclear power, which can also generate the gigawatts and terawatts necessary for modern civilization. |
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Re: Text of Sen. John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Saturday, May 22, 2004 @ 16:42:33 UTC | The last Democrat president did absolutely nothing about foreign oil. Oh wait, he did reduce the amount in the Federal reserve, which is our "go to war" stockpile in case the Middle East locks up.
The Democrat president before that, Jimmy Carter, let Congress loose and had long lines at the gas pump as his legacy. Where you could not get gasoline for that day unless your license plate ended in a certain number. They do the same thing under drought conditions and your address for watering your lawn in some states today.
The current administration may keep the status quo of monolithic, monopolistic government-controlled regulation, research, and service, but at least they are open to "some" alternative energies. Usually when the cost savings is greater than current mainstream technologies, and then only in a niche market. Like solar power in deserts and wind power in high-velocity areas. Start talking about reducing motorists' gas consumption and the Federals get glassy-eyed with disbelief.
We cannot depend upon government to bail us out of the current oil problem, folks. They are the ones who got us here - with EPA regulations, 22+ flavors of gasoline in the US, prohibitive costs for drilling and transport. And then there's the Federal and local state tax, which is nothing like alcohol regulation - when's the last time "cheap" gas clogged your engine or made your car explode?
We must look to our own solutions, and hope for the future by voting with our money and our feet. |
John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Saturday, May 22, 2004 @ 21:37:20 UTC | Every president that I can remember since Ronald Reagan have told us how much we need to find alternative energy sources during their campaign speech's. George Bush did it also, now Kerry is using the same strategy. The thing is, it works! The american public is so brainwashed and neive that they never fail to suck down the bait hook line and sinker. When is everyone going to wake up and smell the b.s.? Peoples memory spans are shorter than monkeys anymore it seems! If we just continue to vote in the two party clones forever, I guess nobody can say that we don't deserve them and everything they take from us. Just remeber that it won't be very much longer before there isn't anything left to take!
Tesla
IE
J. D. Fauble
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Re: John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 1)
by MOTSB on Sunday, May 23, 2004 @ 18:17:47 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) | I'm sorry, but I dissagree. The Demacratic platform is squarely behind a new energy-new deal. Al Gore was pretty hard core on his special on greeenhouse gasses in December and I think Kerry is picking up where he left of. Gore's speech on new energy was remeniscient of Kennedy's speech initiating Man's walking the Moon. Demacrats have positioned themselves squarely against the oil barons that fund Bush's machine.
Photovoltaics alone, hold great promise to make tomarrow's home energy independant.Hydrogen /renewable economy is a win-win, but don't ask Dupont or Texaco or Ben Laden or Bush...ask a farmer. |
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John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 1)
by bodebliss on Sunday, May 23, 2004 @ 19:49:26 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://picoscience.8m.com/ | Let's call these speeches by presidents past and present as holding the door open speeches. They are calls for Congress to sit up, and take notice, and act. Whether Congress acts, or not is up to us. Other than that, the speeches keep the thought of our energy needs to the fore in the academic and science communities. A call for help, per se. I think it is commendable to have such thoughtful people in politics.
On the other hand, if all those research dollars in photovoltaics produces a solar cell w/ 40% efficiency @ $.40/watt, I am going to run w/ it, and install. The installed unit will cost $2800 produce 56 KWH/day, pay for itself in one year, while providing electric and hydrogen for house and transport.
Bode Bliss |
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Re: Text of Sen. John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 1)
by ElectroDynaCat on Saturday, May 22, 2004 @ 21:44:56 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) | America's energy problem has always been and will continue to be, regardless of government regulation or interference, a product of voluntary choice made in a free market.
Did you choose to live 30 miles away from your job and don't use public transportation? Do you really have the gall to moan about high gas prices? May you spend eternity stuck in traffic that never moves.
One day Americans might wake up to the fact that history and fortune have been very good to them, but it can't last forever without making some decisions that aren't driven by what the Media and its advertisers want us to think.
Politics and promises by politicians will not get us out of the hole we have been joyfully digging for ourselves since the end of World War II. We started out just wanting a few things, a sensible car, a house, some burgers on the grill and a few beers in the fridge. We wound up with every member of the household driving an SUV, a huge house that both spouses must support by being employed, steaks that could feed a family of ten in Africa cooking on a grill that could heat an apartment through a winter in Canada. Yet we wonder why we are still so unhappy, unloved, and stressed out.
Its time to realise, that WE are the problem in the world, and no one, no government or politician is going to make it better for us. Until we decide what needs changing is not the government or our leaders, but our own minds, nothing can help us. |
Re: Text of Sen. John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Sunday, May 23, 2004 @ 10:21:27 UTC | I think I need to make a few things clear.
There is nothing wrong with owning an SUV.
There is nothing wrong with owning a huge grill.
There is nothing wrong with owning a huge house.
There is nothing wrong with using energy.
And the public has the right to complain about the high cost of energy.
There is nothing wrong with having wealth! Wealth and such luxuries are VERY sustainable on this planet. God has made a universe in which energy is easily obtainable and actually FREE. All we have to do is figure out how harness nature and all the energy we need is OURS!
Not that voluntary recycling and some conservation measures are not needed. We need to protect the enviroment. But don't do it by taking wealth away from individuals, but do it by RELEASING the technologies that can keep giving people wealth.
What we need is FREE ENERGY or VERY CHEAP ENERGY.
Cold Fusion and ZPE already exist.
What we need is a President who will divert just a small tiny fraction of the money spent on the "war" on terrorism, the "war" in Iraq, the "war" on drugs, the "war" on poverty, foriegn aid, social programs, or the money spent on hot fusion programs to COLD FUSION or ZPE and the energy crisis would be over very quickly.
Don't criticise the way American's live. There is nothing wrong with having wealth! |
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Re: Wealth? (Score: 1)
by Doug on Sunday, May 23, 2004 @ 13:58:45 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) | There is, in the CURRENT way you are doing it. Eating the planet's future and complaining that the leaders won't release something will not stop the slippery slope.
Consider this folks: CHINA, INDIA. They have just started their move to be LIKE YOU, but there's 2 billion of them. One reason oil is so high - and probably will not drop again - is that Chinese people are asserting the same desires Americans have done for decades.
It cannot continue, and as the Chinese say - "Unless we change direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed".
The USA has only 5% of the worl'd population but CONSUMES 25% of its resources. That is not sustainable - and even with ZPE the consumption of goods would be out of whack.
Cheers,
Doug |
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Re: Wealth? (Score: 1)
by bodebliss on Sunday, May 23, 2004 @ 16:57:18 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://picoscience.8m.com/ | Doug,
If we were to cover just 1% of the Moon's surface(and we will) with low efficiency solar cells it would provide all the energy the world needs now. We could 100 times that with satellite solar stations (and we will). We have enough uranium for 7,000 yrs at current usage. If they can find a way to harvest methane hydrates we would be well off for thousands of years. If we are able to tap ZPE there would be unlimited energy for almost all our needs, except maybe educating those who want to give up without trying, those who just want to say die.
They have estimated that there is enough iron and nickle and precious metals in a one mile wide metallic asteroid to equal what the world uses in two years, and there are thousands of these in the solar system. There are also carbon asteroids and silicate asteroids, but there are no human hope asteroids if people just want to give up.
We have unlimited resources it's just how much do you want to pay for them. This will determine when to bring them on-line, but by that time you will have undoubtedly given up hope and commited suicide. So be it, it's your life.
Bode Bliss |
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Re: Wealth? (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Sunday, May 23, 2004 @ 20:26:54 UTC | Exactly!
With free energy comes the ability to travel around the solar system, mine what we need, and transport it back to earth.
With free energy everything is possible!
You are right, unless we start using free energy or so fourth the world is going to run out of resources! Just imagine when China, India, and many more nations become much more industrialized. We will NOT be able to produce enough oil or have enough resources!
But if we can tap ZPE and manipulate gravity then we could mine and harvest resources from all over the solar system, colonize the solar system, and have plenty of room for all of humanity!
The key is getting these technologies into production NOW! Because if they come out even a year before the oil crash really starts going the economy would not survive. We need this technology to be introduced NOW!
Most of the estimates for the oil crash place it at 2007-2008 and at the latest 2010.
So we really only have around 5 years before the oil crash hits us VERY HARD!
After that period it may be too late for free energy to save us. |
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Wealth? (Score: 1)
by bodebliss on Sunday, May 23, 2004 @ 21:14:20 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://picoscience.8m.com/ | Thanx Anon...,
But the "fact" that we are running out of oil is a MYTH. They just discovered a new sea of oil in some west africa republic and the PM said there was so much oil, soon the gen populace would not have to work. We had 5 year supply in 1954, 1980, 1995, and now according to you. We will always be running out of oil because known supplies are finite, but as we get close they rev up the drillig equipment and go look for more. Check the links.
Myth of Too Many
Will we run out?
Myth of Energy
or Gooogle:oil reserves running out myth
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Re: Wealth? (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Monday, May 24, 2004 @ 10:03:17 UTC | "the PM said there was so much oil, soon the gen populace would not have to work"
Sounds a lot like "atomic energy will be too cheap to meter". Also, the history of oil operations in non-developed countries is pretty bad -- usually the population at large is WORSE off in the end since the wealth associated with oil corrupts the government. See also diamonds, gold, etc.
Sorry, your "sources" don't pan out. You are pitting journalists waving their hands against petroleum scientists/geologists retired from the big oil companies who have 30+ years of experience.
Have you read the oil depletion books? They are scientifically based and well thought out. NONE of them argues that we are running out of oil, they simply state that as the oil fields that are producing our oil today peak, there won't be enough new sources to compensate quickly enough, especially with the demands of China and India for more oil, to replace what today's sources are producing.
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Wealth? (Score: 1)
by bodebliss on Monday, May 24, 2004 @ 13:18:44 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://picoscience.8m.com/ | Anon...,
I am just gonna repeat a earlier post:
If all those research dollars in photovoltaics produces a solar cell w/ 40% efficiency @ $.40/watt, I am going to run w/ it, and install. The installed unit will cost $2800 produce 56 KWH/day, pay for itself in one year, while providing electric and hydrogen for house and transport and heat. This equals 30 to 40 years free energy and a savings of $100,000 in today's dollars($300,000 w/ inflation). Warranties on these solar installs are running 20-25 years. I look for this development to be ready in 3 years. If you don't jump on it then(with your negaview of the future) your a fool.
Bode Bliss |
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Re: Wealth? (Score: 1)
by Doug on Monday, May 24, 2004 @ 20:01:28 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) | I still think your head is in the clouds mate.
"It'll all come right when....". How you can ignore people trashing the planet NOW, and try and say "we can mine asteroids" - with what? The space shuttle?
Even people who have actually SEEN technology which would assist us (but which is tied up deep in US military circles) know damned well those in charge would sooner see the rest of us rot than release it.
I am not about to "commit suicide", I am trying to knock some sense into a few US heads, because you people are the greediest, most destructive force on this planet - and as the wealthiest, probably our planet's only hope for actually coming up with these much needed developments.
But what does your leadership actually do with this wealth? MAKES WEAPONS, and USES THEM to secure resources on behalf of the elite rich.
You are fiddling while rome burns.
Doug |
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Re: Wealth? (dodging the question) (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Monday, May 24, 2004 @ 22:01:23 UTC | Why did you dodge his question?
We ARE running out of oil. Not TOTAL oil on the planet, but the oil that is economical and practical to extract.
That kind of oil is running out FAST.
Have you checked how much new oil has actually been discovered in the past few years? Even with better technology there is NOT a lot more oil to discover!
The problem is that the demand for oil is going higher and higher, but the supply of economically viable oil is going DOWN!
The books on oil depletion are based on very solid science.
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Wealth? (dodging the question) (Score: 1)
by bodebliss on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 @ 06:09:01 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://picoscience.8m.com/ | There is no energy crisis !
If you add methane hydrates and coal we have thousands of years worth of hydrocarbons to use. You two are fear-mongers. I'm not buying.
Bode |
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Wealth? (dodging the question) (Score: 1)
by bodebliss on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 @ 06:28:46 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://picoscience.8m.com/ | Solar will solve our need for electric and hydrogen for cars. Get your finger OFF the panic button.
Bode |
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Wealth? (dodging the question) (Score: 1)
by bodebliss on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 @ 06:38:33 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://picoscience.8m.com/ | When we have solved our energy needs(no thanx to you) we will be accumulating $100,000 dollars worth of wealth/household(in 2004 dollars) X 87 million households, $8 trillion dollars(in 2004 dollars) or $24-32 trillion due to inflation.
Bode |
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Re: Wealth? (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Sunday, May 30, 2004 @ 16:15:37 UTC | | I wouldn't pull your power meter after you install that solar cell system. At 56 KWH/day divided by 24 hours gives you 2.3 KW in an hour --- barely enough to run a couple hair dryers. And if you're like me, enjoying AC in the summer, then you'll still be using the grid to suppliment your power load peaks. BTW, power companies like to buy excess power from residents at wholesale cost, usually around $0.02/KWH. It's been my experience they frown on spinning their meters backwards. However, if that system produces 56KW 220VAC continuous then I'm with you! That is, at least while the sun is shining. |
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Wealth? (Score: 1)
by bodebliss on Sunday, May 30, 2004 @ 18:47:26 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://picoscience.8m.com/ | The sun's average output in the US is 970 watts/sq. meter. They round that to 1000 watts/sq. meter. The recent breakthroughs in solar cells have achieved an easy and supposedly cheap 40% efficiency with multi bandgap full spectrum and 2 electron for every photon advances in solar cell tech. At 40% efficiency, 20 sq. meters would produce 8,000 watts X 8 = 64,000 watts or 64 kwh/day, thats 23,360 KWHs/year. I don't know about you, but I only used 9,700 KWHs last year it says so right on my bill. 9,700 divide 365 = 26 KWH/day . I use whole house air conditioning and an attic fan in the summer as well as an electric dryer. 64 KWHs/day is more than double the 26KWHs I normally use so you can convert the excess electricity into hydrogen for you car or when home fuel cells are available convert it back into electricity at night w/ the excess going to fuel your auto or cook your food or both. 12vdc is equivolent to 120vac. You decide!
I expect these advances to come to market in 3-5 years, by that time hydrogen use by consumers will be more prevalent. This will make it easier to convert your natgas to hydrogen and car as well.
Bode Bliss |
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Wealth? (Score: 1)
by bodebliss on Sunday, May 30, 2004 @ 18:58:40 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://picoscience.8m.com/ | PS: Maybe by that time other technological breakthroughs in solar cell tech will bring the cost down even further w/ 50-70% efficiency. When you also calculate the energy cost for services and items bought by consumers, the tally comes to 16,000 KWHs/person/year. For a family of four that would equal 64,000 KWHs/year.
Solar cells could possibly become the energy drink of choice in the near future.
Bode Bliss |
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Re: Wealth? (Score: 1)
by 1of7 on Monday, May 31, 2004 @ 11:21:12 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) | My AC nameplate shows compressor amps to be 16.1. (16.1A x 220VAC x 1PF)/1000 = 3.5KW. My Electric stove shows 32Amp or 7.0KW. My dryer is 25Amp or 5.5KW. Lights, TVs, and whatever else. Wouldn't the system have to be able to deliver more than the sum total of all these loads? In my case; more than 16KW? How big would this solar cell have to be to deliver power to my 150Amp (33KW) service?
1 of 7 |
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Wealth? (Score: 1)
by bodebliss on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 @ 04:37:21 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://picoscience.8m.com/ | I don't suggest that people install now as the conditions in my earlier posts have not been met. Namely , 40% efficiency @ $.40/watt installed not including storage(electrolized hydrogen or batteries) and converters(dc-ac). I don't suggest once these conditions are met and you install that you disconnect from the grid as long periods of clouds might drain your energy capacity, but having said that I know there will be a time in the next 5 or so years when solar will, due to advances in tech, becomes irresistible to the many who will be looking for ways to cut their energy costs to nothing. The unit installed @ $.40/watt would pay for itself in one year @ current energy costs. Converters and batteries or hydrogen electrolysis and conversion to electricity would add 1 &1/2 to 2 years to the payoff cost but after that the unit would provide 20-30 years free energy.
On the otherhand this might answer your question.
Bode |
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Wealth? (Score: 1)
by bodebliss on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 @ 05:14:44 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://picoscience.8m.com/ | Let me temper that answer w/ a disclaimer. The Kyrocera faQ is based on a low power assumption and does not estimate the abilities of a 8,000 watt system. The reason is currently the cost of solar cells is too high for average home user to install more than a couple thousand watts, but as costs go down and more power(8,000 watts) can be draw from 20sq. meters, you will be able with storage to run those bigger draw appliances.
Bode |
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Re: Text of Sen. John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 1)
by ElectroDynaCat on Sunday, May 23, 2004 @ 20:43:46 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) | There may not be anything wrong with wealth, but if you are a typical American family chances are you have NO net worth whatsoever. Sixty percent of all US families have no liquidity at all when the equity in their homes, stocks, bonds, and bank accounts is subtracted from their debts. That is in a nutshell one of the core problems behind the energy price spiral that will devour our lifestyle.
With less and less confidence in Americans ability to manage their own finances, little more could be said for the governments ability to back the implied promise that is printed on every dollar printed.
If you haven't noticed, that promise is so thin that oil is being effectively priced in Euros.
We will all be conserving very effectively in the near future, mainly because we will be flat broke, or at least finally become aware of the condition we have been living in for such a long time.
As far as being rescued by some miracle technology hidden off in the wings, there's no indication that this is about to spring into play. The miracle technology that was intended to pull us out of the hole was nothing more than common sense and sound planning, something that our Media directed judgement doesn't seem to allow. Without that backdrop or common sense, developing any breakthrough is a waste of time. |
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Re: Text of Sen. John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Monday, May 24, 2004 @ 10:04:12 UTC |
Well said.
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Re: Text of Sen. John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 1)
by Gordo on Monday, May 24, 2004 @ 10:54:42 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) | Gasoline prices continue to be a top news story and conversation piece. Everyone wants to gripe about high prices. But honestly I'm still amazed at just how cheap oil actually is. I know its a politically incorrect view, but thankfully I have no political aspirations.
Consider this: Oil is STILL cheaper than milk ($3.69/gallon) or even bottled water ($5.99/gallon for Evian 6 pack). Kerry in his speech this weekend says we should "DEMAND" greater output from OPEC when they are pretty close to capacity. Some people want us to tap into our strategic reserve even though there is no emergency, leaving us exposed for what? a temporary blip in pricing which many not even impact prices at the pump much? The same people are somehow completely oblivious to the fact that if the value of the dollar drops by 30%, we shouldn't be all that surprised by oil rising 30%. Americans generally think OPEC is "out to get us" when in reality, its almost the opposite. Politicians are questioning OPEC on supply -- but who is questioning the supply of dollars? If Greenspan & friends want to devalue the currency, why do Americans expect OPEC to bend over? And there are real supply issues as well, with the developed world growing, there is going to be more demand for resources. We can only tap so many new oil sources, or open existing spigots so wide.
Kerry's other suggestion was that we "invent" our way out of this situation. While I'm 100% on board with the need to fund research and promote alternatives -- Americans "vote" with their wallets. WE ALREADY HAVE fuel efficient vehicles, and guess what? American's for the most part, don't buy them. We have reasonable, 4-door commuter cars that get 40MPG, but they are unpopular. Then there are the hybrid cars, more expensive but even more fuel efficient, again not very popular. We also have newer super efficient diesel technology enabling even station wagons capable of 58MPG (not to mention the use of cheaper, easier to produce, diesel fuel) but almost no one knows about it.
Over in Europe, where gas is $4 or $5 / gallon and has been for years, they drive tiny fuel efficient vehicles.
In the meantime, with gas so cheap in the US (less than $3/gallon) and people apparently with money to burn, continue to buy fuel inefficient vehicles (although there was a notable drop in SUV sales in the last month, which is a great sign in my opinion).
If you ask someone why they buy a gas guzzler -- they are likely to tell you something about safety or ability to haul a lot of cargo or passengers. The safety thing is a myth. And realistically most car use is for daily work commutes. For the handful of times you need to haul things, you can always use a car top carrier, a bike rack, etc. You can easily strap lumber, kayaks, furniture, etc. to any roof with cheap ratchet straps. I don't have an ounce of pity for anyone that drives a gas guzzler who is now complaining about the price of gas. If Americans were interested in saving money, helping the environment, and greatly reducing our dependency on foreign oil -- wouldn't they have made a change by now? Maybe high prices will ultimately make the difference.
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Re: Text of Sen. John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 1)
by bodebliss on Monday, May 24, 2004 @ 13:23:53 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://picoscience.8m.com/ | I already drive a 40 mpg car. Pay $15/wk to drive 44 miles round trip to work.
Bode |
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Re: Text of Sen. John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 1)
by RedTetrahedron on Monday, May 24, 2004 @ 14:42:58 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) | | The price of oil vs. milk comparison just doesn't hold water to me. :) Gasoline may be cheaper than milk or bottled water, but do you drink as much milk or water as your car does gasoline? I don't know about you, but I use about 20 gallons of gasoline a week in my car, in comparison to about 1 to 2 gallons of milk per week. How much milk do you drink? |
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Re: Text of Sen. John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Monday, May 24, 2004 @ 17:26:03 UTC | | I just thought I'd let you know that where I live, I'm paying around $1.10 a LITRE (1/4 of a gallon thereabouts for fuel). So $2 a gallon isn't to bad from my perspective. I also agree with the other guy who mentioned something about kerry comparing milk and fuel. They are totally unrelated. I drink very little milk (just use it in coffee or tea) and could quite honestly do without it. Fuel however, is something I need. Also On a last note, I was watching some oil expert on some doco a while back, he mentioned that the US oil supplies at current rates of consumption would last around 10-15 years. The oil in Iraq he said would last at current consumption rates around about 240 years. Anyways that's my 2 cents worth. |
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Text of Sen. John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 1)
by bodebliss on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 @ 06:02:31 UTC
(User Info | Send a Message) http://picoscience.8m.com/ | If you count the $30 billion that the oil companies are subsidized in this country into the price of fuel, gasoline would be priced at $4.50/gallon.
Bode |
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Re: Text of Sen. John Kerry's Radio Address to the Nation (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 @ 04:39:30 UTC | So... cars, roads and bridges are all Amercan inventions now are they? Will someone please give Mr Kerry a history book.
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