McClatchy: As economy worsens, coping becomes a way of life

I know, cold comfort. :(

As economy worsens, coping becomes a way of life
By Tony Pugh and Kevin G. Hall | McClatchy Newspapers

* Posted on Saturday, May 3, 2008



WASHINGTON — When long-haul trucker Rusty Wade pulled his rig into a Missouri truck stop last week, he noticed something strange.

Of the 50 or so 18-wheelers parked in the lot, only five had their engines idling.

"That's only because of the high price of fuel," said Wade, an independent owner-operator from Brundidge, Ala. "A year ago there would only be about five that weren't running."

But with diesel fuel at more than $4.20 per gallon, Wade not only shuts his engine down to save money. He's also cut his average road speed from 60 to 56 mph.

Instead of hotels, he and his trucker wife, Mary, often sleep in their separate vehicles. And if a steady crosswind slows his pace and cuts his gas mileage, Wade will park his rig for five to six hours, if necessary, until it subsides.

"It's the only way I know to get more fuel mileage. Wind is my biggest enemy," he said."

In one form or another, Americans from coast to coast are following Wade's cost-cutting ways. Whether it's fewer restaurant visits, shorter road trips or skipping a haircut here and there, more consumers are looking for ways to stretch their dollars.

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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/35684.html

I'm for a firing squad at dawn for the lot of them. Who's with me?

Duke

I just don't know enough to know exactly who the villains are. I do know, however, that somewhere along the line some people are making fortunes right now, and I bet they use whatever influence they can muster to keep things just as they are, for as long as possible, and as often as possible.

Somebody's making more than they deserve only because somebody else is paying too much. Many of those paying too much are becoming truly desperate while are trying to cram even more into their already bloated coffers.

I'm with ya.

I think you have to pin the blame squarely on the Bush Administration. Every economy has ups and downs; that's the nature of our capitalist system. Ideally, a good government will maintain tax receipts and control spending (on pork, wars, etc) during the good years so it has plenty of funds and good credit to fund necessary stimulus measures (expanded unemployment insurance, subsidizing emerging industries, etc) during the bad years.

Instead our government spent like drunken sailors, and has repeatedly lowered interest rates to try to buoy consumerism, and put off recession. The constant lowering of interest rates has devalued our currency, which is why we're paying more for gas, as it's all imported.

The real problem with a devalued currency, however is that ultimately, we'll have to drastically increase interest rates to keep funding our debt. Paying the minimum interest on the debt will constitute an ever larger part of our national budget. As the good Reverent Wright might say, our economic chickens are coming home to roost.

that will solve the problem...2.5% margin on oil...

that Wal-Mart will have a harder time shipping it's cheap chinese junk to us. Perhaps some local farmers and shopkeepers will have a better chance if gas makes the cost of goods rise too much.

How ridiculously wasteful to leave a truck with the engine running for hours on end.

I'll never forget the time I was on a trip to Brownsville Texas, staying at like a Motel 6- there were several of those stupid big rigs parked outside, running all night. The racket from them was so loud I had to check out at 1 am because I couldn't sleep and find another motel.

Good riddance to a really annoying and wasteful practice!

Many don't know, but all those nice cold meats, cheeses, veggies, and drinks you and I enjoy have to be kept cold, from the factory to the store. The trucks you speak of that must run 24/7 are refrigerated, or "reefer" units. The use the power of the engine to keep the refrigeration unit running.

Duke

Because all democrats are elitists!

Some people just don't want to help themselves.

Duke

despite the fact its not in their best interests.

In that case, I kinda take it back - but I still wonder why truckers would park their noisy rigs 50 feet from motel rooms and why motel managers would let them....

duke