OK.....what's it gonna be?
By w1z111
@w1z111 (985)
United States
May 16, 2007 6:25am CST
Allright, folks.....what's it gonna be? Are we going to keep accepting the climbing gas prices or are we actually going to "do something meaningful" to get the attention of Big Oil?
Yesterday (May 15th) was to be the "National Boycott" on buying gas...and, I expect there was a considerable number of people who actually supported that and DID NOT BUY gas yesterday. But, according to experts (before AND after), just NOT BUYING FOR 1 DAY isn't nearly enough because people are still buying and using just as much gas...that is, they're still driving as much as usual!
In order to really make Big Oil feel any "pinch" at all, we need to drastically reduce our consumption...unfortunately, many people just cannot reduce, due to commitments, schedules, etc., and many people just WON'T reduce, due to "not caring" (plenty of $$?), "not willing", etc. Many people will max out their credit cards to pay for gas if they don't have the cash available between paychecks before they'll reduce their driving. So, it will be an "exercise in futility", most likely. But, I still think we must at least TRY!What-d'ya-say?
Can we do it?
My proposal is to begin on Saturday, June 16th, 2007, and repeat EVERY THIRD SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH, until they get the message.
JUST DON'T DRIVE ANYWHERE ON THOSE DAYS, if at all possible. Plan to stay home on those days. Or, if Saturdays just aren't feasible for you, perhaps you can select a different day of the week for yourself, to support this effort?
I'm convinced most of us actually drive significantly more than we truly NEED to drive, especially in America, but I'm sure it's true in other places too.
But, each one's circumstances are different, and I'm sure some NEED to drive more than others, so I'll just hope those who CAN support this WILL support it...for themselves, and for those who just cannot participate right now.
Let's give 'em a taste of the real American Unity...remember, "United we stand; divided we fall".
Let's go for it!
4 people like this
14 responses
@cheryl2783 (229)
• United States
16 May 07
To be honest, I don't think gas boycotts of any kind will make any impact. Just because you don't buy gas on every third Saturday, you can still buy gas the next day. You will need to fill up either way.
I was informed that President Bush owns (or maybe it's his family) an gas field. It is said that the gas prices are due to this fact. As the price rises, guess who makes money? We'll see if the price for gas drops after he is out of office.
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
19 May 07
I appreciate your post, but I'm not sure you fully understand the concept. This is not about not BUYING gas, it's about not USING gas every 3rd Saturday. In other words, DO NOT DRIVE on those days...period! As I noted in one of my other responses, if all drivers in America were to cut back their driving by only 5%, Big Oil would lose somewhere around $22 BILLION! If that wouldn't force lower prices, I don't know what will!
Can YOU reduce by 5%? 3%? 2%? It really doesn't take much PER INDIVIDUAL, but the number of individuals is so huge, it would cause serious issues with Big Oil if we could get enough to support it.
I can reduce mine by 5%....and I have...but I know not everyone can...so I'm aiming to reduce by more than my 5% share if possible.
Thanks again for the post.
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
19 May 07
It's ok...sometimes I 'ramble', so it might've been a bit confusing, too.
Anyway, sounds like the gas prices have done a job on your lifestyle, too...like so many others. So sad it has to be that way. I really wish we could all just stop "needing" it so much, but.....
Thanks for the post, and good luck!
@cheryl2783 (229)
• United States
19 May 07
You're right, I didn't understand the post. In that case, I did do something. I quit my job over it. That is actually one reason I am now an at-home mom. I figured it out to be $250 in gas per month for me alone. With husband also driving, we were up to a little over $400. That's per month!!
@delenep (212)
• United States
16 May 07
It would be nice if we could all follow your suggestion, but sometimes we really do have to drive somewhere. Maybe we should all start investing in electric cars to help cut fuel costs, but that will also add to the fuel hies due to lack of demand. I dun think this is something we can really win unless governments start investigating alternative forms of fuel.
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
19 May 07
I appreciate your candid comments, and I'm sure you're right that we all DO have to still depend on Big Oil so we can carry out our daily activities.
However, I'm convinced that just about ALL of us drive more than we really NEED to...even if it's only 5% more than we need to, if everyone who drove 5% more than necessary STOPPED doing that, think how much fuel would be saved, and how quickly the prices would begin to go down!
Here's an example of how simple it really COULD BE:
Say I drive 15,000 miles each year, average. Say my vehicle gets 20 mpg, average.
That means I'd have to buy 750 gallons each year, average.
At $3.00 per gallon, that's $2250 each year, average (of course, prices don't stay fixed long enough to compute an "accurate average", but...lol).
If I cut back by only 5% (which equals 750 miles less each year, or about 15 miles less each week), I can save about 30 gallons each year, or about $90 each year, average.
Multiply this by the some 240 million US licensed drivers (not that ALL are 'active', but...), and the numbers are staggering! For instance, here's what the numbers would look like:
200,000,000(approx. # of 'active' drivers?) x 15,000 ("high" average miles/year) equals 3,000,000,000,000 (that's 3 TRILLION! total average miles/year) x 5% (voluntary reduction in miles driven) equals 150,000,000,000 (that's 150 BILLION! total miles LESS each year) x 20 mpg--(fair average?) equals 7,500,000,000 (less gallons used) x $3.00 (per gallon...hah!) equals $22,500,000,000 (that's $22.5 BILLION! less for Big Oil per year).
Think they'd lower the prices???
IT'S GUARANTEED TO WORK! So, now all we have to do is convince more folks to just cut back by 5%! Or even 3%...........because it's all about the huge volume of users, and if enough users pay attention, we CAN make a difference!
Thanks for listening....I ramble sometimes!
Good luck!!
Thanks for the post!
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
20 May 07
I understand your scepticism. It's easy to see how greedy some of these big industries are when we're trying to figure out ways to "beat them". You're probably right, that Big Oil would 'retailate'...and isn't that a sad statement of how IMmature and how UNcredible and how DIShonorable some business giants have become?
Thanks again for your posts.
@delenep (212)
• United States
19 May 07
Somehow I think ur plan would backfire and we'd end up with even higher costs to make up for the oil company's losses. Think about it, fewer sales = higher prices for those who do use the product. I still say the government needs to step in, car manufacturers need to provide us with more fuel efficient cars or alternative fuel cars, and we need to actually use those alternatives, even if they cost a little more initially.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
21 May 07
My only question is: who is controlling gas prices? I think it has a lot to do with Bush administration. I think that we all have to pay for war expanses...but I think nobody want to vote off president Bush...I am afraid that the worst is coming and America is going to join other countries where only two groups exist, rich and poor...they are killing middle class....
Gas prices are going to go much higher....but yes, I will boycott it...
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
21 May 07
Ahhh, yes! Very good question, indeed. I don't have the answer, but I agree "someone" is allowing all of this to go on without stepping down hard on it like they seem to do on so many other (UNIMPORTANT) issues. Seems our government is so tied up with "Special Investigations" of other politicians or "Hearings" about the Attorney General firing (or not firing?) the 90+ Federal Judges, or other "damage control", that they don't have time to be looking at the important things like this.
Ahhhhhh, it can be frustrating, but we can't let it get us down. If gas prices go higher, we'll just have to drive less and less. We'll be lucky if we can still go out to get food and other necessities, but I believe it will "all come out in the wash" someday.
Keep the faith, and good luck!
Thanks for the post.
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
21 May 07
Yikes! Is that US $10 for US 1 gallon? EEEK! You're so right! How lucky we are! How can we complain about $3.00?
Actually, it's really not so much about the $3.00/gallon, at least for me. It's much more about the way Big Oil seems to be manipulating things, and the "greed", as you mentioned.
Thanks for the post, and good luck!
Wanna buy some gas??? I'll sell some to you for US $6.00 per US 1 gallon...YOU PICK UP!
lol
Thx again!
@wolves69 (755)
• United States
16 May 07
Interesting concept, but the gas companies have everyone so wrapped up, the prices could reach $6 or more and nobody will park their SUVs, sports cars, or other gas guzzlers. It wouldn't hurt to boycott the pumps, but the method you suggest won't do enough.
This will take longer, but might be more effective. Try boycotting one company for a full month again. Then rotate the honor. By the time the month rolls around, the company will still be trying to recover. Basically, when the moguls see its their turn, they'd be more willing to do something about it.
However, the better way is to start doing things that will save you money in the long haul. I'm not a green person, but electric cars are looking better, I've always like the idea of solar panels, and really encourage walking to places. Too bad, people are spoiled.
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
16 May 07
Unfortunately, I think the truth of the matter is that we cannot really pull anything like this off because there are not enough who will actually go through with it, even if they say they will...and, I'm not really much of an exception to that either...although now that I'm retired and don't HAVE to drive to work, etc., we're more able to participate in something like this. And, if we could even get others in similar situations (i.e., those who CAN manage to NOT DRIVE for a day each month), we could still make a difference...but, it's the same story...not enough of us will participate, so we'll be sorta like Don Quixote, struggling to battle the "evil windmill", won't we?! Makes you wonder why we even bother discussing it, doesn't it?
Oh, well...I'll still try to "do my part"...even if it's only for my own satisfaction!
Thanks for your post. Join us if you can!
@wolves69 (755)
• United States
18 May 07
Every day for the next year, every day...I walk to work since my car is with the family about 1000 miles away. I'll be with you in spirit!
Even when I had my car, I'd only fill it ever two months or longer since I'd rather walk 3 miles to work and back. Oh, I get some strange looks, but I laugh when my bosses start complaining the don't have any money...you guessed it, they drive SUVs....
@takkea (393)
• United States
20 May 07
It is going to need a great deal of people for it to make a difference. These companies are getting away with murder and I agree that something needs to be done, but the question is what?
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
21 May 07
Well...I'm not sure it's "murder", but...it's not real good, either!
Our Government Agencies and Congress are supposed to be the 'watchdogs' for any corruption or collusion or market manipulation, etc.
Unfortunately, I'm not too sure these days about some of them, either, so.....who knows?
Thanks for the post.
1 person likes this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
16 May 07
Sadly, people seem to want to complain but not do anything about the gas prices! Rather than consolidate trips so that they could by less gas (and hurt the oil companies by reduced sales) they keep on making 50 trips a day in and out! I have a neighbor who has the LARGEST SUV on the market. She makes about 18 trips in and out per day. Four of those are to drive her children ONE block to school and to go back and pick them up!!!! (some are in kindegarden and only go until noon). I like the one poster's idea about boycotting one company per month. That would really help...then that company would have to do something to recover the lost sales!!! I know that we have really cut back at our home on unnecessary driving. We are doing all that we can to consolidate trips. I just wish that everyone would do the same.
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
16 May 07
Ahhhh, yes! I hear you on this!
Actually, I know quite a few folks who have started reducing their driving.
My wife and I have also...we've probably reduced our driving by nearly 50% over the past year (of course, I've now retired, so I no longer commute 40 miles a day to work & back, so that's a big one!).
Truly, this sort of initiative is very unlikely to garner enough support, because, as you say, everyone is "doing their thing" as they normally do. What has to happen is people have to change their commitments, their schedules, etc. Maybe the lady who drives her huge SUV a block should learn to WALK with her children instead. Not that I'd want it to be ME who had to walk any more than anyone else would want it to be THEM...and therein lies the rub!
Most of us are really not willing to make the drastic changes that are necessary to bring about changes in prices at the pumps...until it comes to the point where we simply CAN'T pay for our habits! Then, we'll have to cut down, I guess.
I'm not sure what would happen if we tried boycotting a different Oil Company each month...somehow, I don't think that would "pinch" hard enough. Rather, I think it would just serve to spread the wealth around a little.
I don't think there's any getting around it...we just have to stop using so much gas, that's all!
We need to decrease the "demand" side of the "supply & demand" equation.
Then the "supply" side will go UP, and prices will once again come DOWN...(or so we would 'assume'!).
Hang on!!
Thanks for your post.
@mfpsassy (2827)
• United States
17 May 07
Hey W1z111 I have another idea too. How big of an effect on oil companies do think these ideas would have. 1. If people didn't go any where on the weekends during the summer. And 2. if people didn't take a summer vacation. Like either of those would actually happen, but if they did that would definately make the oil companies take a huge hit.
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
21 May 07
Yep! I like them! I think you're right that they aren't likely to happen (any more than my concept!), but it's very interesting how, when we come right down to it, we DO have choices; and it's ironic how often we choose what is not always the BEST choice, overall. Guess that's just the way we are!! lol
Thanks for the post & ideas...! And good luck!
1 person likes this
@CarlyLaine (759)
• United States
16 May 07
It won't work. Not at all. You can squeek, protest, cry, moan and groan and it won't work. Why? You may ask.
Because as much as everyone travels about, moving, going to work, rushing to the hospital, running from the police...we need our gas. Gas prices will go higher and we are at a loss on how to stop it. It won't happen.
The major oil\gas companies don't care. They know we need gas...do you really think they are concerned about a little protest? NAH!
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
16 May 07
You are right, of course! As President Bush said, "we're addicted to oil!"
So, now that Big Oil knows we're all addicted, and most of us just cannot kick the addictions, they can squeeze and extort as much money from us as we'll give them. And, of course, the "ripple-effects" of gas price increases is humungous!! So, even if we think we can still afford to buy just about as much gas as we've been buying right along (to support our "addictions"), we'll soon notice that EVERYTHING is getting more costly because everything is affected by oil prices.
The Oil Companies (notice how I'm "capitalizing" this term? Guess I'm thinking it's some sort of 'royalty' or something! Jeez!) know they "can't get blood from a rock", so they'll put on the brakes at the appropriate point...that point where consumers finally DO stop driving and using as much gas...when enough families have maxed out their credit cards; re-mortgaged their homes; sacrificed in so many ways, just to maintain the addictions...maybe then we'll see changes...so you're right, it won't work...because nobody really WANTS it to work. Plain & simple. It will only work when it HAS to work, I guess...like so many other things, huh?
Thanks for the post.
@lightningMD (5931)
• United States
16 May 07
I agree one day boycotts just wont work. If we could get everyone in America to not buy gas for one week at atime it might have an impact. I think our government should remove the taxes on gas prices. There is no reason any company needs to make billions in profits while average citizens are losing their homes and eating ramen noodles t pay for gas to get to work.
@mugzy528 (800)
• United States
16 May 07
I seen on the News last Night that this Guy was Giving up eating his dinner Just so he Could afford to Go to work the Next Day. I think its sad that People have to do things like that But the Big Oils companies are Raking in Billions of Dollars every so many Months. I think we should not Drive Unless we Have to go somewhere For something we really must have. I told my wife the other day she wanted to go see her Mom who lives like 25 miles from us I told her to call her on the Phone Instead. We do not have the Money to do stuff like that anymore.
Have a Great Day/Night
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
16 May 07
Well...I'm afraid stories like that may become more and more popular as prices continue to rise. Of course, those with the least will suffer first (and will suffer the most). Big Oil does not know who or how many people may suffer, nor does it seem to care, as long as its profits are secure and steady. Once those begin to fall, they'll take notice, don't worry...but those will not fall, as long as people continue to "suck it up" and keep on driving as much as ever. We must reduce the consumption to make a difference!
Let's do it!
Thanks for the post.
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
19 May 07
Hooray!! This is exactly what I'm talking about! You're reducing your consumption of gas in several ways! Good job!
I'm doing the same things, and I'm sure lots of folks are...some because the have to, some because they want to. Either way, it helps. If you read some of my other responses, you can see how Big Oil could lose $22 Billion if every American driver reduced by only 5%! (Numbers are not necessarily 'perfect', as many assumptions were made, but the idea is right on!)
Thanks for the post!
And, keep up the good work!
@explorations (1712)
• United States
18 May 07
The boycott back-fired dramatically in my home town where gas prices shot up from $2.92 to $3.09 during that 24-hour period. I guess the punishing citizens for trying to do this.
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
21 May 07
Heheh...I'm sure you may be right. I also wondered if some of the oil companies might have purposefully marked them up for that day just to be arrogant. I didn't notice much change around here, but I did see plenty of folks buying gas that day. So, I'm sure the impact was a joke to Big Oil!
Oh, well...we gotta keep trying though. Otherwise, we're "defeated", and I hate it when that happens!! lol
Thanks for the post.
@aweave06 (31)
• United States
17 May 07
There was a suggestion similar to this on May 15th for a one-day boycott against the oil companies to not pump gas. Unfortunately the problem with this is that a.) it's difficult to get everyone to adhere to it and b.) people will simply buy on a different day, which won't economically affect the gas companies. My suggestion is to simply use alternative methods of transportations. Long-term changes like this would send the best message!
@w1z111 (985)
• United States
21 May 07
You're right! May 15th was for not BUYING GAS, but nothing about not USING gas. So people (myself included) bought the day before.
You're also right about getting enough people to commit to something like this. Everyone has so much to do (necessary or not), and our "established routines" pretty much dictate our lives.
Thanks for the post.
