Bravo Barry! Spot on-as usual!
Always a font of information-and a heck of a nice guy.
Laura G.
Vita brevis est: rapide agite, vigore strigate!
----- Original Message -----
From: Barry Schwartz <bschwart@pacbell.net>
To: <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Cc: <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 12:13 PM
Subject: Gas prices (in perspective, a little longish)
>
> Ya know I've not been on this bandwagon, primarily because I don't want to
> get into a pissing contest about something we don't really have any
control
> over but I might add the following:
> Gas here in the states isn't taxed NEARLY as heavily, nor is the foreign
> exchange rate taken into account. Sure if we tacked on an additional 50
> percent tax our gas would be in the $3 plus range. Does that make it
> better, or more equal?? I think not. Maybe someone should be complaining
> about the high taxes imposed upon that gas, not saying we should be
content
> with our [cheap??] gas prices. Have YOUR fuel prices gone up almost 40
> percent in the last few weeks?? If they have I feel for you too -
Remember
> that heating oil for those here in the midwest and northern regions depend
> upon this for heating their homes. Prices in the next weeks ahead WILL be
> going up for almost everything because of increased shipping costs
> associated with these increases, so it's a little more involved than my
> weekend pleasure cruising. I would think that if your prices increased
> upwards of 40 percent in just a few weeks you TOO would be complaining,
not
> that this is the forum for doing that and I apologize for venting, just
> been with the tax man :-{.
> Secondly I travel approx. 20 miles to work and back for a total of 40
miles
> EVERY DAY. That's just for work, not the added trip to the market or
> shopping etc. So I regularly put on 230-250 miles a week. Even at $2.00
a
> gallon with a optimistic 20 MPG that works out to about $23-$25 a week a
> significant chunk from a couple of weeks ago when I was paying around
> $16-17 a week. I shudder to think what one of those suburban assault
> vehicles would cost, and I really don't feel that sorry for them either!!
> Maybe the cost of gas will cut into there cell phone usage, and they will
> actually drive the darn things, instead of holding a conversation while
> thinking the vehicle has an auto pilot. This (relatively) high mileage
> kind of driving is NOT uncommon over here in the states, so it can make a
> big impact on daily life - for those of us that can't really cut down on
> our commute. Besides that the public transportation system, EVEN with the
> trolley that we have here in San Diego is WOEFULLY inadequate, terribly
> inconvenient, and frankly I wouldn't (and haven't) felt all that safe when
> I have used it. It just doesn't travel where the vast majority of people
> do. Quite honestly, is not that much cheaper even with the high gas
> prices. If you happen to be going into or out of downtown proper, then
it
> will save you the hassles of traffic and parking, but that's about it
> Be that as it may, there is not a whole lot we can realistically do to
stem
> the tide. Filling up several days before or after a certain date won't
> make even a small dent. Only cutting back usage will, and I don't think
> many people are willing to do that or even can. But at least I can really
> enjoy the fact that I have a truly unique British vehicle that I take
pride
> in, and which gives me GREAT pleasure using, doing something that many
> people consider a grind. And while I might be grumbling about the
> increased cost of my daily commute, I can at least enjoy it a whole lot
> more than most others with just "a car". Sure as the sun rises, while
> hopefully not in my lifetime but quite possibly in my children (if I ever
> have any :-}) vehicles will NOT be powered by gasoline as we know it. Our
> treasures will be nothing more than potential recycling material. The
> writing's on the wall, and I for one feel a little sad that it will
> eventually be. Someone else, quite possibly my own children, won't be
able
> to experience the joy I have had over these many years. (not that I'm too
> concerned that I'll ever see that day). Never the less it WILL eventually
> happen. So I'll enjoy it while I can even though it may cost a little
more
> every year. Such is life - Sorry if I offended anyone as that was surely
> not my intention, it was merely a "venting" of sorts.
>
> Barry Schwartz (San Diego) bschwart@pacbell.net
>
> 72 PI, V6 Spitfire (daily driver)
> 70 GT6+ (when I don't drive the Spit)
> 70 Spitfire (long term project)
>
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