How about we dicuss something less irritating than politics (even though I'm sure politics has a hand in it somewhere!)

How are gas prices in your area? I was last in town on Sunday morning, regular (87 octane) was $1.89 a gallon at the cheapest station. A funny thing I noticed though, was that at all the Casey's - a group of convienence stores located in this area - the price was $1.98! Even in my little two gas station town, it was 9 cents a gallon higher! They weren't getting much business, needless to say. On my little car, that's about a dollar a tank difference. Isn't it funny how we'll blow a buck on just about anything, but get stingy and shop around to save that much on gas?!

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2004

Answers

It used to be that I could count on the station by my work being 10 - 15 cents cheaper than the station by my house. Now it seems that all the stations in central Indiana are stuck at $1.99. Apparently no one wants to be the first to go up to $2.00.

We joined Costco so we could buy gas at a discount. If prices stay the way they are, we'll have made back the membership fee in 6 months. Right now the gas at Costco is 11 cents cheaper.

-- Anonymous, May 19, 2004

Aaaa you guys are have it easy! 2.30 for the cheap stuff here. Kirk

-- Anonymous, May 19, 2004

$2.09 for the cheap stuff on the way to work tonight at all the stations that I went past. Bummer. Wonder if it will go back down after Memorial Day?

-- Anonymous, May 19, 2004

Just started the new job this week, so haven't had a sec to write anything (esp requiring any thought, like political stuff). Paid $2.50/gal for premium today. Added ~16 gallons for a MERE $40. This reminds me of the energy scam on the west coast a couple of years ago (how 'bout it, Kirk? Remember?).

I drive 22-25 miles *one-way* each day (depending on route). Good thing I got a raise. I get appox 30 mpg, but I'm thinking about getting a bus pass (even that is expensive, plus takes WAY longer time-wise, and I have to park at a Park and Ride all day..had the Ranger broken into once. The Volvo is much more secure, at least for break-ins).

Inflation should raise its ugly head any day now, with energy prices going so freaking high.

-- Anonymous, May 20, 2004

I do feel badly for folks who are having a hard time affording needed gas; a sudden change is difficult to deal with.

OTOH, we have been paying way too little for our polluting energy- wasting culture overall for way too long. Perhaps if this lasts awhile it will finally wake up the sleeping masses to taking the future of the planet more seriously instead of continuing to be so selfish and in denial. If it does some good in getting folks to consider buying and demanding fuel-efficient vehicles, and american industry to turbo their efforts in alternatives, that would be a good thing. ($2.50! Wow!)

-- Anonymous, May 21, 2004

Last time I looked, regular was $2.07. That was a couple of days ago. But you know what? If you adjust 1973 dollars to 2004 dollars, we were paying the equivalent (in 1973) of $3.11 today! I KNOW you're all old enough to remember lining up for gas.

Of course, out of that bout of high prices, we got more fuel efficient cars, and many other energy-saving measures. They just haven't kept on putting out improvements in fuel efficiency, though the technology exists. And according to one article I read, would add about $800 to the price of your vehicle. To me, that is a no- brainer. Make the improvements, make them mandatory on all vehicles. That article was before the advent of the gasoline/electric hybrid cars, and was not referring to that system. There is technology out there to make a "normal" car far more fuel efficient.

The fuel shortages of 1973 also brought about changes in the building industry. Well-insulated houses are now the norm. Fuel-efficient furnaces, a/c, etc. -- all commonplace.

For many reasons, I keep any vehicle I own pretty well filled up. If I get below 3/4 of a tank, I stop to fill up at my earliest convenience (and probably that is when I go past the cheaper places).

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2004

$1.79 for 87 octane and $1.62 for diesel at the general store upon the mountain. $1.84 at the Murphy station in town.

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2004

Shopped for groceries today at one of the big chains. Sticker shock! I kept wandering around the produce department wondering why anyone would want to pay over $1/lb for green onions, lettuce. etc. At the checkout (with my one yellow onion and 3 sweet potatoes), I asked the checker if prices were going up or if it was just my imagination. He said prices are definitely going up because of oil prices driving up transportation costs. He also said lumber was going up (he saw or heard some teevee or radio show)and other commodities. So, I came home and re-thought about the vegetable garden and what to plant...I was going to slack off some this year, but the principle (and the nutrition of it all, besides the prices) forces me to reconsider!

I agree, gas prices are not really as expensive as they should be relative to how dear our dependence is on fossil fuels and the finite nature of such. But I tremble to think how this is affecting people with less resources than I.

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2004

prices have dropped two more cents a gallon last night.

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2004

Well, prices have been back below $2/gallon for about a week now. Range is from $1.96 - $1.98. Somehow, I always manage to need to put gas in the car on the weekend - you'd think I'd learn to plan better!

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2004

Gas was down to $1.70 something last night. Now it's time for us sheople to start raving about how "cheap" it is.

Have y'all noticed that? Every time the cost of gas comes back down from the latest outrageously high price to a level significantly higher than it was before the increase, everybody seems to be thrilled, and seems to forget the earlier level.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2004

Since we moved to town, we hardly ever visit the gas station anymore.....especially Bren, what with her little baby Insight that gets over 50 MPG. I do have to fill up the huge tank in the delivery van though, and since there is nothing I can do about it, I try not to notice how much it costs!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2004