Demand for oil down 6 per cent..

The latest MasterCard SpendingPulse survey found that demand for gasoline in the U.S. fell by 4.7 percent last week — which included the long Memorial Day holiday weekend — compared to the same week last year. Averaged over the last four weeks, demand was down 6 percent last week compared to last year.

and reflects what I've seen around here, not an empty bus stop to be found, people waiting to ride the bus everywhere. Fortunately, the city started to improve bus stops and the system itself a few years ago.

I've also seen temporary tags on small cars and sedans, none on SUVs for a very long time. That means people are getting the word that cheap gas is gone forever.

a month ago I paid $4/gal for diesel

yesterday the same place was charging 4.89.

prices do NOT reflect supply and demand.

and you're right, a six percent decline in demand IS huge

PDF, so you have to read...no C and P

http://www.pewfuelefficiency.org/docs/cafe_history.pdf

Lee Iacocca quoted therein, ca 1985, when CAFE standards were cut back as a result of intense lobbying by Ford/GM:

"We are about to put up a tombstone. Here lies America's energy policy"

If we'd confronted this very obvious problem in the 'seventies, we wouldn't be in such a tough situation.

But the Reagan-Bush Republicans sold out our children and our nation for temporary profit.

did you hear that Mr. Friedmanunit?

because what you're seeing at the pump is the result of stupid GOP policies that broke the Federal bank and drove the dollar down to less than half the value it had in 2000.

Just expect the oil to last a little longer than it might have if the reckless tax cuts for the rich had never passed.

I'm quite happy about it. And my dad has already made clear that as soon as I get back the first place I'm expected to drive is to the bike store and plan to start commuting that way. All things considered it will be a much better plan. Even getting a pretty nice "urban" bike it will only take a few months of riding to school to have made it worth it. Certainly by the end of the semester.

I'm actually looking forward to it. At least once the end of September hits and I can maybe get to class without sweating up a storm.

in about a month, and have over 3/4 of a tank left.

i know not everyone is able to refuse to drive anywhere, but i do. of course, i tend to anyway, but i've canceled vacations and weekend getaways and camping trips and i really don't care; we stayed home memorial day weekend and barbecued with neighbors. i was already trying to avoid driving, but this is just one more excuse. probably have cobwebs growing on the steering wheel.

i don't mind hanging around the house with the kids, swimming in the neighbors pool, having bbq's, weeding the garden, and relaxing under the tree with neighbors, and i work less than 2 minutes up the road. no need to drive anywhere.

the only thing i'll miss is taking the kids to the museum, which is a little too far away for a walk or bike ride...and i do miss my mamma, who is right by the museum...oh well- phone and internetz work!

edit: my goal is to not fill up my tank more than twice through the end of August...i'm aiming for once.

They'll say they have to raise the price for lack of sales. :eyes:

Remember when people started to buy smaller cars the price went down then they sucked people into buying wow big V6 cars. Here we go again.. The auto dealers are selling high end gas guzzlers to people offering all kinds of incentives. Low Interest even 3000. money deals. The snakes (oil Co's) are at it again...Heating oil to 5 bucks a gallon.

This scam needs to be exposed- windfall profit tax anyone?

... they are buying governments.

If We the People do not control the regulatory apparatus, then "windfall profit" taxes simply open up another channel of corruption.

Reducing our consumption of oil reduces the political power of the oil companies, which is why the Federal Government has done nothing at all to reduce oil consumption in the United States.

Our government does not answer to the people it answers to money. The oil companies have the money.