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Gas prices reach all-time highFollow
You guys can't be serious. Paying an extra 30 cents for a gallon isn't breaking any budgets, especially when you consider many people don't bat an eyelash at paying $3.75 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks.
It's not the actual cost of gas that matters much, but the perception of the cost of gas.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,271200,00.html
NEW YORK — Rising gasoline prices and the slumping housing market kept consumers out of stores last month, leaving many of the nation's merchants with disappointing sales results.
As retailers released their April sales figures Thursday, weak performers included Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which recorded a rare drop in business, as well as J.C. Penney Co. and Federated Department Stores Inc.
"Consumers are feeling pressured by higher gasoline prices and a sluggish housing market, particularly low and middle income consumers," said Ken Perkins, president of RetailMetrics LLC, a research company in Swampscott, Mass.
Analysts had already expected last month to be weak after an early Easter motivated many consumers to do their holiday shopping in March, siphoning away part of April's business. But sales were much softer than expected, raising concerns that retailers will also see disappointing results in the months ahead. Perkins and other analysts say they will be closely watching how May fares since the month will provide a better indication of the health of the consumer.
Etc.
The reality doesn't matter. If gas had been 12 cents a gallon and increased to $1.20 it'd likely have had similar effects. If gas had been $14 a gallon and dropped to $3 it would have probably greatly increased retail sales. People are idiots. The relative price of gas is meaningless. The perception of how costly it is can dramatically impact the economy.
Disclaimer:
To make a long story short, I don't take any responsibility for anything I post here. It's not news, it's not truth, it's not serious. It's parody. It's satire. It's bitter. It's angsty. Your mother's a *****. You like to jack off dogs. That's right, you heard me. You like to grab that dog by the bone and rub it like a ski pole. Your dad? Gay. Your priest? Straight. **** off and let me post. It's not true, it's all in good fun. Now go away.
To make a long story short, I don't take any responsibility for anything I post here. It's not news, it's not truth, it's not serious. It's parody. It's satire. It's bitter. It's angsty. Your mother's a *****. You like to jack off dogs. That's right, you heard me. You like to grab that dog by the bone and rub it like a ski pole. Your dad? Gay. Your priest? Straight. **** off and let me post. It's not true, it's all in good fun. Now go away.
Precisely. All this hand wringing about the price of gas and how it's sooo expensive is a state of mind. You don't hear people whimpering about having to pay $10 a ticket to see Shrek 27 or Saw 38, do you? No, as a consumer you make an informed decision and choose to spend your hard earned cash elsewhere.
The thing about having a hybrid like my Prius as my sled is that it's intensely enjoyable pulling up to the gas pump while Mr. SUV is in mid-pump, top off, grin and say cheerily, "Tee hee! Only cost me $20 this time! Aren't gas prices outrageous?!?" all before he has even reached 3/4 full. Apoplexy sure looks funny on some people...
Totem
The thing about having a hybrid like my Prius as my sled is that it's intensely enjoyable pulling up to the gas pump while Mr. SUV is in mid-pump, top off, grin and say cheerily, "Tee hee! Only cost me $20 this time! Aren't gas prices outrageous?!?" all before he has even reached 3/4 full. Apoplexy sure looks funny on some people...
Totem
No, as a consumer you make an informed decision and choose to spend your hard earned cash elsewhere.
If consumers made informed decisions our whole economy would collapse instantly.
Well perhaps not instantly, but certainly in 4 easy installments.
Disclaimer:
To make a long story short, I don't take any responsibility for anything I post here. It's not news, it's not truth, it's not serious. It's parody. It's satire. It's bitter. It's angsty. Your mother's a *****. You like to jack off dogs. That's right, you heard me. You like to grab that dog by the bone and rub it like a ski pole. Your dad? Gay. Your priest? Straight. **** off and let me post. It's not true, it's all in good fun. Now go away.
To make a long story short, I don't take any responsibility for anything I post here. It's not news, it's not truth, it's not serious. It's parody. It's satire. It's bitter. It's angsty. Your mother's a *****. You like to jack off dogs. That's right, you heard me. You like to grab that dog by the bone and rub it like a ski pole. Your dad? Gay. Your priest? Straight. **** off and let me post. It's not true, it's all in good fun. Now go away.
You're both thinking long run. Consumers are generally stupid, and never really grasp the concept of relative prices, so this "short run panic" could go on indefinately, especially considering that gas is projected to hit up to $4 a gallon later this summer.
Edit: Damn you, Smash. Got that in while I was typing. I guess only Totem is thinking long run.
Edited, May 22nd 2007 12:18pm by Demea
Edit: Damn you, Smash. Got that in while I was typing. I guess only Totem is thinking long run.
Edited, May 22nd 2007 12:18pm by Demea
Jophiel wrote:
I managed to be both retarded and entertaining.
Totem wrote:
No, as a consumer you make an informed decision and choose to spend your hard earned cash elsewhere.
I cited an article last year from Crain's Business which predicted a five billion dollar and 62,000 job loss to the Chicago-area economy if gasoline prices stayed above the $3/gal mark and a $8.5bil/102k job loss if they rose above $4/gal. Examples such as "They spend $50 on coffee so they'll just buy gas too!" not withstanding.
Belkira wrote:
Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
/nods at what Smash said about Hybrids.
I compared my 2L TurboDiesel's economy to a colleague who raves about his Prius. I suggested we ignore the literature and compare notes on actual mileage over a week or so.
Around town, I get about 42Mpg (OK that's UK gallons). He gets 40mpg.
On a long-ish (250 mile) journey I averaged 57.2mpg. He ran at 55.3.
Plus I can leave the ******* standing. Hybrid=Hype
I compared my 2L TurboDiesel's economy to a colleague who raves about his Prius. I suggested we ignore the literature and compare notes on actual mileage over a week or so.
Around town, I get about 42Mpg (OK that's UK gallons). He gets 40mpg.
On a long-ish (250 mile) journey I averaged 57.2mpg. He ran at 55.3.
Plus I can leave the ******* standing. Hybrid=Hype
I wish I still had my Saturn. 30+mpg was great. Now I have my fiancee's mom's V8 Cadillac that gets around 10. Luckily I don't drive much more than 5 miles most days.
publiusvarus wrote:
we all know liberals are well adjusted american citizens who only want what's best for society. While conservatives are evil money grubbing scum who only want to sh*t on the little man and rob the world of its resources.
3.0L Turbo Diesel here.Its usually full of a dog and surfboards/building materials. I get about 466.028 394 178 miles (according to a converter) for the price of US$46 worth of diesel.
You can keep your poxy li'l hatchback hybrids
I'm doing my bit for Global warming you see.
The way I figure it, I'm keeping busy using as much oil as I can, thereby ensuring that someone is kept busy looking for a viable alternative as fast as they can, and at the same time allowing people to be testers/financiers of the new hybrid/ alternative fuel modes of transport.
Good on ya! Keep up the good work.
Cow milk is twice the price of diesel in NZ. Wich tho irrelevant (as has been pointed out) is odd,'cos it comes out of a cow from just up the road, as opposed to out of the ground in a war-zone on the other side of the planet.
You can keep your poxy li'l hatchback hybrids
I'm doing my bit for Global warming you see.
The way I figure it, I'm keeping busy using as much oil as I can, thereby ensuring that someone is kept busy looking for a viable alternative as fast as they can, and at the same time allowing people to be testers/financiers of the new hybrid/ alternative fuel modes of transport.
Good on ya! Keep up the good work.
Cow milk is twice the price of diesel in NZ. Wich tho irrelevant (as has been pointed out) is odd,'cos it comes out of a cow from just up the road, as opposed to out of the ground in a war-zone on the other side of the planet.
"If you have selfish, ignorant citizens, you're gonna get selfish, ignorant leaders". Carlin.
Jophiel wrote:
I always thought the "Gas is cheaper than [Liquid]" argument was stupid solely because my car doesn't run on cola/milk/orange juice/Windex/etc so the price of those isn't really relevant to me in the context of my car.
That and I generally don't consume several gallons of milk a day.
But that's the point. When gas goes up 30 cents a gallon from a price which previously do not prevent you from using your gas hog, I doubt a measly nickle and quarter more will stop you either. Talk to me about how gas prices have genuinely modified your driving habits in a substantial and discernable manner-- then I'll know they have gone up to a point where it's not just whining.
That's how it ties in with milk and every other liquid. I don't regularly drink Johnny Walker Blue because it costs $200 a bottle, but I might purchase some for a special occasion. It's cheaper cousin, Red, is only $20 and is reasonably inexpensive. Do I put it in my tank? No, but I get tanked, but wouldn't dream of using J.W. Blue to reach that state.
Totem
That's how it ties in with milk and every other liquid. I don't regularly drink Johnny Walker Blue because it costs $200 a bottle, but I might purchase some for a special occasion. It's cheaper cousin, Red, is only $20 and is reasonably inexpensive. Do I put it in my tank? No, but I get tanked, but wouldn't dream of using J.W. Blue to reach that state.
Totem
Totem wrote:
That's how it ties in with milk and every other liquid. I don't regularly drink Johnny Walker Blue because it costs $200 a bottle, but I might purchase some for a special occasion. It's cheaper cousin, Red, is only $20 and is reasonably inexpensive. Do I put it in my tank? No, but I get tanked, but wouldn't dream of using J.W. Blue to reach that state.
ToUtem
ToUtem
Red Label is like gnat's ****, Blue label is a poor cousin to The Glenlivet or Talisker.
Black Label is a great Scotch, and the best balance between price and quality apart from Isle of Jura.
But there's always Bushmills Irish. . . And for Br'er ToUtem to miss a "Old Black Bush" joke. . . .
Totem wrote:
But that's the point.
Belkira wrote:
Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
Beggin' yer pardon, sir. Me's slippin', guhvnah!
Totem
Totem
But that's the point. When gas goes up 30 cents a gallon from a price which previously do not prevent you from using your gas hog, I doubt a measly nickle and quarter more will stop you either.
No, the point is that people are morons and news stories about gas being more expensive will stop them from driving places, regardless of if it's actually more expensive enough to inhibit their lifestyle or not.
Disclaimer:
To make a long story short, I don't take any responsibility for anything I post here. It's not news, it's not truth, it's not serious. It's parody. It's satire. It's bitter. It's angsty. Your mother's a *****. You like to jack off dogs. That's right, you heard me. You like to grab that dog by the bone and rub it like a ski pole. Your dad? Gay. Your priest? Straight. **** off and let me post. It's not true, it's all in good fun. Now go away.
To make a long story short, I don't take any responsibility for anything I post here. It's not news, it's not truth, it's not serious. It's parody. It's satire. It's bitter. It's angsty. Your mother's a *****. You like to jack off dogs. That's right, you heard me. You like to grab that dog by the bone and rub it like a ski pole. Your dad? Gay. Your priest? Straight. **** off and let me post. It's not true, it's all in good fun. Now go away.
Granted, by your own admission you said you had no serious point. Touche. But how is that different from... always?
Totem
Totem
Totem wrote:
Beggin' yer pardon, sir. Me's slippin', guhvnah!
ToUtem
ToUtem
How fuCkin' versatile are you?!
You're the Sean Connery of accents!
Not true, Smash. It hasn't stopped them yet. Indeed, people have been driving more now that gas is more expensive. So it is the point. News, small price increases, moronity-- nothing changes the American driver's habits so far. We'll just have to see just how much we can take before something gives.
Totem
Totem
Totem wrote:
Granted, by your own admission you said you had no serious point. Touche. But how is that different from... always?
I didn't have a real point to the OP. But if you're going to pontificate upon the effects of higher gasoline prices, you should at least do so accurately. That's not asking too much, is it?
Alternately, you could just say "whining" some more.
Belkira wrote:
Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
"I'll take 'the ***** mightier' for $400, Alex!"
Totem
Totem
"Point" out to me just what is inaccurate then, Jo. Allow me a chance to undo the sadness I have so rudely foisted upon your delicate psyche.
Totem
Totem
I did earlier. Go read and bring my heart joy! 
Belkira wrote:
Wow. Regular ol' Joph fan club in here.
Not true, Smash. It hasn't stopped them yet.
You are correct, I phrased it poorly. What it is stopping them from doing is buying $100 worth of junk at Wal-Mart because they have to pay $2 more in gas to go there.
Higher gas prices won't hurt the gasoline business, just the rest of the economy.
Disclaimer:
To make a long story short, I don't take any responsibility for anything I post here. It's not news, it's not truth, it's not serious. It's parody. It's satire. It's bitter. It's angsty. Your mother's a *****. You like to jack off dogs. That's right, you heard me. You like to grab that dog by the bone and rub it like a ski pole. Your dad? Gay. Your priest? Straight. **** off and let me post. It's not true, it's all in good fun. Now go away.
To make a long story short, I don't take any responsibility for anything I post here. It's not news, it's not truth, it's not serious. It's parody. It's satire. It's bitter. It's angsty. Your mother's a *****. You like to jack off dogs. That's right, you heard me. You like to grab that dog by the bone and rub it like a ski pole. Your dad? Gay. Your priest? Straight. **** off and let me post. It's not true, it's all in good fun. Now go away.
Link to me where actual job losses and Chicago failed to rake in $5 bill due to higher gas prices and not something else and you'd have an argument with merit. As it is, Crain's Business is just speculating now.
I'll say it again. Higher gas prices have empiracally been shown not to have lessened driver's use of their vehicles. Quite the contrary, we have increased our mileage. Perhaps there is some mysterious mass psychosis where higher gas prices equate to less consumer spending, but more driving out of worry. Who knows?
Totem
I'll say it again. Higher gas prices have empiracally been shown not to have lessened driver's use of their vehicles. Quite the contrary, we have increased our mileage. Perhaps there is some mysterious mass psychosis where higher gas prices equate to less consumer spending, but more driving out of worry. Who knows?
Totem
Smash, that is what is expected, but to date, outside of some grumbling consumers, spending has not been directly or indirectly tied or attributed to higher gas pricing. Either that or NPR's Ky Risdall from Marketplace has been lying to me on a daily basis.
Totem
Edited, May 22nd 2007 5:27pm by Totem
Totem
Edited, May 22nd 2007 5:27pm by Totem
Totem wrote:
Who knows?
ToUtem
ToUtem
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