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Gas prices are highest ever for this time of year

Unlike Europe, we don't have a developed hub for mass transportation. Everyone here has a car. It is the primary means of conveyance. All of our goods move on trucks. Gas and fuel operate our entire economy.

I didn't own a car when I lived in Germany. Didn't need too. You couldn't survive in most of America (not all, some of the cities have decent transportation hubs) without a car or some means or transportation. Average commutes for workers exceed 45 minutes in some areas. That is one way. We need a better solution. Fuel economy is not our number one issue, that is a talking point. I am not saying that if we all drove 40 mpg cars that it wouldn't help, but that will not change the cost of food at the store.

Not surprising, given the Republicans' war on public transportation. We need to invest more in mass transit and buy more efficient cars and trucks. Americans need to wake up and realize that $4.00 gas isn't an aberration. Prices are only going to go higher.
 
Not surprising, given the Republicans' war on public transportation. We need to invest more in mass transit and buy more efficient cars and trucks. Americans need to wake up and realize that $4.00 gas isn't an aberration. Prices are only going to go higher.

I don't think the issue is a partisan as you tried to just make it.

Yes everyone wants mass transportation, but not in their backyard. Stop just blaming parties. It is so easy for you to yell republicans did it. Both parties do it, on the state and federal level.
 
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In Europe the prices are much higher but still the economy works, gas prices in the US are a problem because a lot of people don't have cars with good fuel economy compared to other countries.

With lower fuel consumption prices might be contained and not rise too much further.

No, gas prices in Europe are the same as here. Taxes are the difference.
 
News Headlines



I just don't get it.

I do. I get it.

Fox News got the memo from the RNC, then Fox pundits repeat the talking point over and over, hoping to get people like you to post it here.

Steve Doocy actually read the memo on a live broadcast. The weekly memo from the RNC / GOP media strategy, telling Fox and RW radio which points to hammer Obama on this week.

When Steve was stupidly reading the memo, you could see Gretchen's eyes go wide, "What are you doing, you're telling them the secret?"
 
I do. I get it.

Fox News got the memo from the RNC, then Fox pundits repeat the talking point over and over, hoping to get people like you to post it here.

Steve Doocy actually read the memo on a live broadcast. The weekly memo from the RNC / GOP media strategy, telling Fox and RW radio which points to hammer Obama on this week.

When Steve was stupidly reading the memo, you could see Gretchen's eyes go wide, "What are you doing, you're telling them the secret?"

Let me guess............. either Media Matters or ThinkProgress got the Demo memo and told you what to post.............
 
I don't think the issue is a partisan as you tried to just make it.

Yes everyone wants mass transportation, but not in their backyard. Stop just blaming parties. It is so easy for you to yell republicans did it. Both parties do it, on the state and federal level.

Well, it actually is partisan, I'm afraid. Who is trying to build high speed rail in this country? Democrats. Who is doing their damndest to kill it? Republicans. That is plain as day.

Who is trying to enforce stricter fuel efficiency standards? Democrats. Who opposes it? Republicans.

Who is trying to expand alternative energy in this country? Democrats. Who opposes it? Republicans.

Etc., all down the line.
 
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Well, it actually is partisan, I'm afraid. Who is trying to build high speed rail in this country? Democrats. Who is doing their damndest to kill it? Republicans. That is plain as day.

So the Dems want to spend more borrowed money to build a high speed rail system. More debt for future generations. Good job.
(yes, this was a partisan jab, )
 
Well, it actually is partisan, I'm afraid. Who is trying to build high speed rail in this country? Democrats. Who is doing their damndest to kill it? Republicans. That is plain as day.

Who is trying to enforce stricter fuel efficiency standards? Democrats. Who opposes it? Republicans.

Who is trying to expand alternative energy in this country? Democrats. Who opposes it? Republicans.

Etc., all down the line.

Maybe that's because light rail has been a dismal failure almost everywhere it's been built other than the northeast corridor.
 
Well, it actually is partisan, I'm afraid. Who is trying to build high speed rail in this country? Democrats. Who is doing their damndest to kill it? Republicans. That is plain as day.

Who is trying to enforce stricter fuel efficiency standards? Democrats. Who opposes it? Republicans.

Who is trying to expand alternative energy in this country? Democrats. Who opposes it? Republicans.

Etc., all down the line.

I live in democrat strong state, and we can't do anything with mass transportation. No town wants it going through. Everything you just put is talking points. So partisan.
 
Maybe that's because light rail has been a dismal failure almost everywhere it's been built other than the northeast corridor.

Not true. It's been quite a success here in Minnesota. So much so that they are now building another line that connects Downtown Minneapolis to Downtown St. Paul. My wife takes the light rail to work everyday, and during rush hour it's packed tight. So much so that they had to extend platforms in this area to accomodate longer trains.

Funny thing is that when it was planned and built, all the Republicans said "It won't work, it'll be a dismal failure." They had to eat those words here. When the next line came into planning, they didn't even bother because it was perfectly clear to them that they were DEAD WRONG the first time.

So "dismal failure" everywhere? Don't think so.
 
I live in democrat strong state, and we can't do anything with mass transportation. No town wants it going through. Everything you just put is talking points. So partisan.

I can't speak to your state, as I don't know where you live. But in South Florida, where I live, our Republican governor said thanks but no thanks to $2 billion from the federal government to build a high speed rail line linking our major metropolitan areas. He argued that he was afraid that the state would be on the hook for much of the funding, but that was a lie. Private businesses had already agreed to pick up the state's share of the tab. He also argued that it would lose money, and that was also a lie. Study: High-speed train would have made money - Orlando Sentinel
 
Maybe that's because light rail has been a dismal failure almost everywhere it's been built other than the northeast corridor.
Says who? You? :lamo

Lisa Traylor works in Charlotte's banking district and enjoys reading a book on the Lynx Blue Line instead of sitting in traffic. She leaves her car in a free park-and-ride lot, saving money on gas and even more on downtown parking.

"I figure I'm saving $2,400 a year," she said. "It's about the same amount of (commuting) time, but it's less hassle."

Charlotte finds light-rail success | The Post and Courier - Charleston, South Carolina

PHOENIX, AZ — METRO light rail saw its highest ridership on record in September 2011, only to have the record broke again one month later. METRO had 1,258,711 total boardings in October, an eight percent increase over October 2010 and the highest in the system’s history.

“The increase can be attributed to a number of different factors including a large number of conventions, the Arizona Diamondbacks reaching the playoffs and Arizona State University football drawing a crowd,” said METRO CEO Steve Banta. “But it’s not solely events, it’s positive growth in response to good, quality service.”

Record numbers hop on Phoenix light rail
 
Not true. It's been quite a success here in Minnesota. So much so that they are now building another line that connects Downtown Minneapolis to Downtown St. Paul. My wife takes the light rail to work everyday, and during rush hour it's packed tight. So much so that they had to extend platforms in this area to accomodate longer trains.

Funny thing is that when it was planned and built, all the Republicans said "It won't work, it'll be a dismal failure." They had to eat those words here. When the next line came into planning, they didn't even bother because it was perfectly clear to them that they were DEAD WRONG the first time.

So "dismal failure" everywhere? Don't think so.

I'm very happy that you and your wife live and work near a train station. I'm sure you share that with 2% of the population.

How much did the rail system cost to build?

What are its operating costs per year ?

How much does it make?

How many people ride on it every day ?

In almost all cases, it costs the taxpayers thousands of dollars in subsidies for each and every passenger on light rail systems.
 
Follow the money.

When alternative transportation (or fuels) are utilized, who loses market share (money)? (oil companies)

Who is mostly paid by the oil companies to protect their profits/market share? (Republicans)
 
I'm very happy that you and your wife live and work near a train station. I'm sure you share that with 2% of the population.

How much did the rail system cost to build?

What are its operating costs per year ?

How much does it make?

How many people ride on it every day ?

In almost all cases, it costs the taxpayers thousands of dollars in subsidies for each and every passenger on light rail systems.

How much did the interstate highway system cost to build? What are its operating costs per year? How much does it make?

It's a fallacy to suggest that everything that doesn't turn a profit isn't worth doing. If it improves our quality of life and reduces our dependence on oil, it may be worth doing even if it isn't profitable.
 
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[...] In almost all cases, it costs the taxpayers thousands of dollars in subsidies for each and every passenger on light rail systems.
And how much does it cost taxpayers for roads that lead to pollution, accidents, and injury?


Edit: Well, I see that great minds think alike ;)
 
Says who? You? :lamo

For the cost to build the 20 mile light rail system in Phoenix, which was $1.4 billion, they could have paid each and every one of the 10,000 daily riders $70,000. In other words, they could have bought each rider a Prius, gas for a year, and still had almost a billion dollars left over.

The cost to operate this boondoggle is over $34 million. Since they only make $9 million in fees and advertising, taxpayers are subsidizing each rider $1,250. I wish someone would pay me over a thousand bucks a year for my gas.

Yep, sounds like a rousing success to me. :roll:
 
It has nothing to do with good fuel economy. Its because America is large in area and sparse in population density.

We all desire our freedom to go when and where we please. You get what you pay for.

Both play a role.
 
How much did the interstate highway system cost to build? What are its operating costs per year? How much does it make?

It's a fallacy to suggest that everything that doesn't turn a profit isn't worth doing. If it improves our quality of life and reduces our dependence on oil, it may be worth doing even if it isn't profitable.

Karl said:
And how much does it cost taxpayers for roads that lead to pollution, accidents, and injury?
Edit: Well, I see that great minds think alike

A bit of an exageration to say "great minds" in the same sentence with what you two post.

Great !!! Let's compare the cost of interstate highways, along with their maintenance, to total usage by the taxpayers.
 
For the cost to build the 20 mile light rail system in Phoenix, which was $1.4 billion, they could have paid each and every one of the 10,000 daily riders $70,000. In other words, they could have bought each rider a Prius, gas for a year, and still had almost a billion dollars left over.

The cost to operate this boondoggle is over $34 million. Since they only make $9 million in fees and advertising, taxpayers are subsidizing each rider $1,250. I wish someone would pay me over a thousand bucks a year for my gas.

Yep, sounds like a rousing success to me. :roll:

Hmm, seems you understated the actual ridership by a mere 400%. :lol:

"As of early March 2010, with ridership far exceeding first-year projections, income was close to meeting Metro's stated goal of 25% farebox recovery."

Metro Light Rail (Phoenix) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
Well, it actually is partisan, I'm afraid. Who is trying to build high speed rail in this country? Democrats. Who is doing their damndest to kill it? Republicans. That is plain as day.

Who is trying to enforce stricter fuel efficiency standards? Democrats. Who opposes it? Republicans.

I had to counter this one not long ago and here we are again. For years it was the (D) representatives from Michigan that fought against higher Cafe ratings.

Who is trying to expand alternative energy in this country? Democrats. Who opposes it? Republicans.

Etc., all down the line.

This one also. It's been the Dems fighting against nuclear energy.
 
Both play a role.

And if you increase fuel economy, you increase the price of your vehicle.

Doubling the minimum fuel economy on a car prior to the technology being ready for that innovation will immediately spike manufacturing costs.
 
Hmm, seems you understated the actual ridership by a mere 400%. :lol:

"As of early March 2010, with ridership far exceeding first-year projections, income was close to meeting Metro's stated goal of 25% farebox recovery."

Metro Light Rail (Phoenix) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The number I quoted was from 2010. Daily ridership does not equal number of riders. It can be assumed that each rider uses the train twice a day, so even using Wiki numbers, only about 20,000 people a day ride the train. It is still a monumental failure and a huge drain on taxpayer money. But what the hell...........Obama can just borrow some more from the Chinese, right ??
 
Hmm, seems you understated the actual ridership by a mere 400%. :lol:

"As of early March 2010, with ridership far exceeding first-year projections, income was close to meeting Metro's stated goal of 25% farebox recovery."

Metro Light Rail (Phoenix) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Metro estimates the train will cost the city $184 million to operate over the next five years with fares covering $44 million of the operation costs and tax subsidies covering the remaining costs.

Another great government business plan: Expenses are 4 times revenue.
 
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