At $4/gallon us Yanks have it good

[Rallysport]

I don't care what any outsider says about the USA, because it is usally critical. Sure is funny that everyone wants to come here to the "land of milk and honey" though. As far as I am concerned, we could stop letting ANYONE come here anymore and start worrying about our own problems, and help our own American citizens. Sorry, rest of the planet, the USA is closed...go pester some other country you hate for help. As far as fuel prices and "we get what we deserve"....well, I guess so. If the jackasses in Congress would allow new refineries that should have been built years ago, and if the morons in Congress would allow oil companies to actually drill where we HAVE OIL, we wouldn't be seeing this dramatic rise in oil prices. So, vote all the fools out, and start over...it couldn't be any worse. That is if our economy isn't allowed to completely go into the toilet, turning the USA into a 3rd world country...oh, wait, that's what most of the planet seems to want to happen anyway, isn't it?

[GTAHVIT]

Originally Posted by Rallysport

....If the jackasses in Congress would allow new refineries that should have been built years ago, and if the morons in Congress would allow oil companies to actually drill where we HAVE OIL, we wouldn't be seeing this dramatic rise in oil prices. So, vote all the fools out, and start over...it couldn't be any worse. That is if our economy isn't allowed to completely go into the toilet, turning the USA into a 3rd world country...oh, wait, that's what most of the planet seems to want to happen anyway, isn't it?

I couldn't agree more. It's time for some new blood. Rep and Dem alike. We need to start holding the politicians accountable. The only way to do that is to vote them out. All I'm saying is if you have an issue that is important to you (gas prices) pick a candidate that aligns with your beliefs and vote for them. And if they are in office and they don't align with you, or haven't done what they promised to do, vote for someone else. Don't worry so much about what party they belong to and pick the best person for the job.

When they begin to see that status quo isn't good enough, and their jobs are on the line, they will listen. My Republican party had control of the Senate and Congress for 12 years and didn't accomplish much at all. The nation spoke and gave power to the Dems. This should happen much more often then it does. If the current batch of politicians don't get us on the right track then they shouldn't be in power for very long either.

Clean House. Not transplant a Dem for a Rep or vice versa. Fire the knucklehead that isn't representing your beliefs and vote for the one that does, regardless of party.

[Scotsman]

My position on foreign relations in application to this specific scenario is this: First off, if you don't live here or haven't lived here all of your life; mind your own! You really have no idea what kind of impact Americans are facing unless you know first hand how we live, our government and our economy. There are things that we could do better but the facts still stand; a mass public transit system in the states isn't feasible for a variety of reasons, chief among them our land area and how vast it is. Secondly, where's the funds?????? NOT HERE. I do agree that we do need to take our nose out of most of the foreign matters we're involved in at the present, but we should back Israel without question (another topic for another thread). The only thing that is going to cure us of this gas problem is simple; use less then use none. Ethanol is cheap and Hydrogen is clean even if it's expensive, and both we'll decrease our dependency on foreign oil. END OF STORY.

[TFord]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Two totally different situations/circumstances, Europe and the US. I don't wanna hear how not-bad they feel for us. (No offense to any Brits we've got on the boards)

They've got mass-transit. We don't. We could fit all of Europe and then some in our country...it won't work visa versa. I said it before, we need to adapt to OUR needs, not Europes. And drawing comparisons between the two regions isn't fair, or accurate in the least.

Sure, that lady doesn't need to drive her tanker; and I agree...but this gas thing is hurting the whole country, not just her. Think...truckers, which means food and other items which means EVERYTHING gets more expensive, as our pay rates don't go up to compensate. I don't wanna hear it from them.

.....and don't even get me started on the Prius comment...

(getting on the soapbox )

I agree with you...hell I would'nt drive at all if I didnt have to....I cant afford to live where I work at so I have to commute 100 miles a day! the nearest grocery store is 20 miles round trip. there isnt much of an alternative. when I was stationed in southeast GA there werent even sidewalks If you didnt have a car you would end up grocery shoping at the gas station because the nearest food store was an unwalkable distance. the nearest town has 1 traffic light! the closest thing there to mass traffic was school busses.

Simply put if there were a mass transit system in the good ol' U.S. trust me it would be put to use. Growing up in chicago we didnt need a car because every thing you needed to live comfortably was within walking distance. If you needed to go some where far there was a bus/train that would get you there

It takes approximately eight hours to drive from Dover (South, on the Channel) to Carlisle (North, near the border of Scotland) on a good day and if the motorways are clear (which does not happen often because they are very clogged up).
From East to West it varies a great deal because it is wide in places and narrow in others, and there is no direct motorway linking both ends at its widest width. so with an efficent mass transit system realistically you wouldent even need a car there either.

Like Gtahvit said If america didnt want to pay some stupid tax and voiced ourselves collectively its not gonna happen...and if it does then poeple will be losing they're job getting replaced by someone who's views are the same as the majority of the citizens. Proof of this is the fact that a 19 year old college student got elected mayor somewhere in Oklahoma. Thats why this is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

in the United Kingdom Im gonna go out on a limb and say you pay what your told, the old "taxation without representation". So its your own fault if what the majority of your citizens want dosent get represented by the people in charge!

(just got off the soapbox)

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by TFord

(getting on the soapbox ).......(just got off the soapbox)

Haha, totally thought you were going to tear me a new one...until I read it: good points, all of them!

Originally Posted by TFord

Proof of this is the fact that a 19 year old college student got elected mayor somewhere in Oklahoma...

Are you serious!?!?!
Dang, I should try for that! I'd like any links you could PM to me, if you have the time!!

[GSX]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Haha, totally thought you were going to tear me a new one...until I read it: good points, all of them!



Are you serious!?!?!
Dang, I should try for that! I'd like any links you could PM to me, if you have the time!!

here you go.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/....ap/index.html

[Power Junkie]

Originally Posted by TFord

in the United Kingdom Im gonna go out on a limb and say you pay what your told, the old "taxation without representation". So its your own fault if what the majority of your citizens want dosen't get represented by the people in charge!

Well most of the price of our fuel is tax... we pay V.A.T and Fuel Duty on every litre we buy.. it's crazy, and the day is coming... Truck Drivers are already starting protests..... but i think the main problem in the UK is apathy.

For a start all the politicians are lying wastes of space, so it's a case of voting for the one who you think will destroy the country least. Because of this alot of people don't vote.

You get to a state that because these a'holes don't ever listen to the people (except around election time) the general populous believe that there's nothing we can do to fight them.... so they basically get free reign to do whatever they want, and only really care about their reputations and expenses.

Oh and the UK's mass transit system is all privatised (cheers Mrs T) and costs a fortune to use, it usually works out more expensive than driving... due in no small part to the price of fuel.

[roy]

Where is the popcorn ? This could get interesting.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by roy

Where is the popcorn ? This could get interesting.

[Rock36]

Originally Posted by Power Junkie

but i think the main problem in the UK is apathy.

Yeah I've lived in Germany the last three years, and there is a lot of general apathy here too. A lot of people complain about the crazy taxes here, but they also don't want to let go of their government "benefits." Eventhough they also complain that they don't get all the benefits they used to.

Just none of my German friends or girlfriends ever seem to care that much about what is going on here.

[Nickdago]

Originally Posted by Scotsman

compared to our european counterparts....



http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Communi...s-Gavin-Green/

It is hard to understand why western europe is always worried about what we are doing. The situation they find themselves in is called Socialism, something they have brought on themselves. That is they have a goverment which thinks they know what is best for everyone, thus they tax the you know what out of them and distribute the money as they see fit. I would guess generally into their own pockets or where it might benifit them or their crooneys. Anytime the goverment starts thinking they know what is best for everyine else that is the beginning of the end. Americans need to take heed of what is going on in western europe. If you really believe that the goverment is going to solve all of the problems, you are in big trouble. I would suggest we find someone else to worship other than the goverment, remember America, you are the goverment not those pinheads in Washington.

[Nickdago]

Originally Posted by Rallysport

I don't care what any outsider says about the USA, because it is usally critical. Sure is funny that everyone wants to come here to the "land of milk and honey" though. As far as I am concerned, we could stop letting ANYONE come here anymore and start worrying about our own problems, and help our own American citizens. Sorry, rest of the planet, the USA is closed...go pester some other country you hate for help. As far as fuel prices and "we get what we deserve"....well, I guess so. If the jackasses in Congress would allow new refineries that should have been built years ago, and if the morons in Congress would allow oil companies to actually drill where we HAVE OIL, we wouldn't be seeing this dramatic rise in oil prices. So, vote all the fools out, and start over...it couldn't be any worse. That is if our economy isn't allowed to completely go into the toilet, turning the USA into a 3rd world country...oh, wait, that's what most of the planet seems to want to happen anyway, isn't it?

I agree as well. The pinheads in Washington have gotten us into this mess. all of them. From their lack of forsight on drilling for new energies, to restricting the building of refineries to not allowing for nuclear power and not promoting newer technolgies for energy all across the board. Sad thing is all of the potential presidential candidates are even bigger pinheads. None of the current candidates are going to do anything about drilling for new energy or building new refineries. So if you think its bad now just wait

[Power Junkie]

Benefits are a really problem in the UK... lots of workshy layabouts sponging off the state with no intention of ever getting a job, and the Gov's haven't got a pair of stones between them, so they do nothing about them.

Frankly i'm fed up with the UK... that's why i'm leaving

[GTAHVIT]

Perfect example of how the Welfare efforts of some countries don't always work. At some point, and I don't really know what that is, you have to motivate people to get out there and make it on their own. Not easy to sort out.