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a bunch of hot air
by T-ManPublished Aug 22, 2008
Views: 257
I remember when a presidential candidate made a statement about how we can lower gas prices by properly inflating tires in all automobiles. He was laughed at and mocked for making such a stupid, idiotic statement. "Air isn't going to fix gas prices, you dummy, drilling will!" Well, here's a pretty simple statistic for you, courtesy of the US Dept of Energy:
"Underinflated tires alone cost the country more than 3.5 million gallons of gasoline each day."
Wait, did that say 3.5 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY??? Actually, YES it did! I'm certainly not in a position to attempt to prove or disprove that number. Let's assume for a minute that the Dept of Energy stretched their numbers a little (how about 50%?) So even after decreasing that number by 50% that gives us an additional 1.75 millions of gas a day - 12.25 Million a week - 638,750,000 gallons of gas a year. Now, do you still think that wouldn't put a dent in the price of gas at the pump?
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And yes, on occasion I notice that my fuel economy seems a bit lower, and will frequently find that my tires are getting a little low.
For doubters, do your own experiment...
GOLO member since September 20, 2007
October 25, 2008 9:17 a.m.
GOLO member since June 19, 2008
August 23, 2008 3:01 p.m.
GOLO member since July 17, 2007
August 22, 2008 4:18 p.m.
What I was NOT saying was that the companies would increase fees. I was saying that the Gov't would. Economically in a business, the reduction in demand would reduce the price of the product.
But if I'm taking public transportation or carpooling that is also cutting down on demand which can reduce the price of gas because the price of oil per barrel would go down. But the government is loosing $$ in tax revenue. THEY WILL MAKE UP FOR IT!
GOLO member since December 18, 2007
August 22, 2008 4:15 p.m.
Okay, T-man, you're right. I forgot about the "tune ups" as another prong of his energy plan.
You want to tell me how much that would save, especially since any car built in the past decade or so doesn't GET a tune up?
GOLO member since July 17, 2007
August 22, 2008 4:14 p.m.
Absolutely not, and I have never so much as suggested it was!
GOLO member since July 13, 2007
August 22, 2008 4:10 p.m.
GOLO member since December 18, 2007
August 22, 2008 4:10 p.m.
GOLO member since July 13, 2007
August 22, 2008 4:10 p.m.
Actually, he said that proper inflation was PART of a solution, not the entire solution. It does sound a lot better when it's pulled out of context and made to sound like that was his entire plan though.
GOLO member since July 13, 2007
August 22, 2008 4:08 p.m.
So, if people got more mileage out of their cars, the demand drops, but taxes (which the states are already feeling through conservations and public transportation increases) on gas are down, so the state gov't will increase something to make up for that.
Obama's comment was more in tune with it would save money for the people. YEs it would - long term it wouldn't (because of above).
IF everyone who had SUV's drove cars with better mileage it would reduce demand. Is it right to force them to Sell their SUVs and drive smaller cars? Is that the responisbility of the gov't?
GOLO member since December 18, 2007
August 22, 2008 4:08 p.m.
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