Democratic Debate

I think we all agree we want change. We want our freakin' gas prices to be lowered if nothing else!It may sound crazy, but gas prices really need to be raised...to like six bucks a gallon. The value of gas (long-term) is way above the three dollars we are paying for it right now, and unless the government is going to finance oil companies when the prices skyrocket, the free market really, really needs to give massive and widespread incentive to consumers to cut down on gas.

Of course, setting a minimum price of 6 dollars a gallon may not do that. People may opt to spend a higher percentage of their earnings on gas as opposed to cutting down on usage. I don't really have the answer to this one, but the government probably should intervene here and force people who have the option of using less gas, to do so.

For me, I can drive to my college campus (8 miles from my residence) if time is not a luxury, or I can walk 12 minutes (in single degree weather) to the bus stop and bus to class for free. If the government set a price floor on gas at 6 per gallon, I would lose the luxury of driving to save a few minutes, and be forced to use the bus but for emergency situations.

I don't know how many people who have jobs are in similar situations to me, but the sustainability of personal vehicles for those who absolutely have no other option but to drive would be better if gas was fixed at 6 dollars a piece for the next 30 years, as opposed to relatively inexpensive for the next five, and then completely non affordable after that.

And this is probably the only issue in the world where I would support a price floor or any form of government restriction. You have to alter the habits of the masses quickly, and thats like the only thing the free market won't account for.

/end of totally off topic, but totally necessary rant.

I don't care too much about what each politician says they will do in office. That sounds crazy, but (a) politicians often say things for the sake of securing votes, not because they actually mean what they say, (b) Presidents can't pass legislation without the help of that thing called Congress, and (c) candidates rarely reveal the specifics of their policy objectives and the devil is in the details.

I am FAR more concerned with any given candidate's intelligence, judgment, and integrity (by integrity I don't mean whether they get BJs or oppose gay marriage, I mean that they are principled and possess a clear identity independent of the voters). I'm more concerned about the President being able to deal with issues we don't anticipate.

True. I mean, you want someone who you have confidence in that can handle the unexpected. I don't believe it stops there though. That might be enough for someone who's well secure financially and they're overall concern is security. For me, there's got to be more than that. 99% of what politicians promise won't come true, but it would be nice to find someone who at least tries to fullfill half of those promises (whether if they're successful or not.) I think that is where I feel integrity is granted. Not in their success in fulfillment , but in their effort.

It may sound crazy, but gas prices really need to be raised...to like six bucks a gallon. The value of gas (long-term) is way above the three dollars we are paying for it right now, and unless the government is going to finance oil companies when the prices skyrocket, the free market really, really needs to give massive and widespread incentive to consumers to cut down on gas.


You're right. That does sound crazy, but I understand the logic somewhat. The problem is, only a very select people will be able to afford that. And, there are only select areas that have public transportation. There's too many fine details that would make that a bad idea.

You're right. That does sound crazy, but I understand the logic somewhat. The problem is, only a very select people will be able to afford that. And, there are only select areas that have public transportation. There's too many fine details that would make that a bad idea.I know. But if someone doesn't take some insane action soon, driving a car that runs on gasoline is likely going to become a luxury that only the top 5% (in terms of income) of Americans will have. For the rest of us schlubs, we would all be forced to abandon gasoline usage altogether, due to prices ranging from 12-15 dollars a gallon.

Like in every other issue, the free market will work itself out no matter what course of action we take. The problem here is that it will be at the expense of the poor who are 100% reliant on personal transportation to keep their jobs. I would imagine that's a lot of people.

Anyway, I'm going to stop there because this isn't the right place (thread-wise) to continue.

I see a day where gas prices are so ridiculous that most white collar workers work from home. This is the 21'st century, the only people that need to be commuting to work should be those that need to be at their workplace (blue collar and service sector worker).

Interesting topic, but maybe we should start a separate thread? Sorry to play thread cop, but enough people have been complaining lately about "thread integrity."

I've always been criticized for my personal opinion that gas should be heavily taxed. If there's something that needs to be done, our demand for oil needs to curtail... and fast.

There needs to be policy change, and I've always felt that a huge gas tax (or easing off any subsidies) would make sense. Take the earnings (or savings) and pump them into alternate forms of energy, nuclear power plants, pro-environment cars etc...

There is one solid fact... We need to get off this addiction to oil. We need to change lifestyle. For both foreign policy, and economic reasons... it makes sense to behind the drivers seat, and not rely on foreign resources.
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61 year old man coming to his senses? :doh:

i guess he's a slow learner :embarrass

Ann Coulter has voiced her support for Hilary Clinton if McCain gets the Republican nomination (which he probably will).

If Ann, "I-hate-everyone-except-for-myself" Coulter supports Hillary.. Somethings terribly wrong with that picture.

Ann Coulter has voiced her support for Hilary Clinton if McCain gets the Republican nomination (which he probably will).

If Ann, "I-hate-everyone-except-for-myself" Coulter supports Hillary.. Somethings terribly wrong with that picture.
Must be getting damn cold in Hell. Oh yeah look out for flying porcine.