posted October 9, 2008
I see where the price of gas is predicted to drop to around $3 a gallon, maybe lower. Even though I am conservative by nature - here's an innovative idea.
Lets ask the U.S. government (or state, but Feds have more muscle) to not let the price drop below $3 at the pump, for two reasons.
1. We are used to paying $3.50 or more and our citizens have begun to alter driving habits and conserve - a good thing.
2. Set aside any funds paid for fuel between the $3 a gallon price and the market price (if it goes below $3). Said funds should be used for the following:
A. Infrastructure - Use part of it to fix our bridges that are crumbling, our potholed interstates and highways, etc.
B. Use a portion to fund "alternative fuel" research and development. Perhaps set aside part of this for low-interest loans for low income families to be able to purchase one of the new electric hybrids coming in 2010 (GM Volt, Chrysler is coming with one too) that will get 40 miles on a full battery before switching to gas burning engine. 40 miles a day will take care of 80% of all our "work/school commutes". This alone would break foreign oil's grip on America.
Radical? Maybe - but if we do nothing the cycle will start again, fuel price drops enough and people go back to large gas guzzling vehicles - GM and Ford try to grab the quick buck and drop plans for re-tooling factories to produce high mileage vehicles in quantity - then when gas goes up again, we are back to square one. Lets' move on to square two and even three and vow - never again will we be so reliant on others in making our destiny.
Of course, if in time the price of gas keeps dropping, then the price can be lowered, but I wouldn't do it quickly to avoid the "backsliding" noted above.
Charles Graham
* * *
Mr. Graham,
You know doggone well that money would not be sequestered for the good ideas you bring up. The money goes to the general funds to be spent on everything else but your ideas. A Democratic Congress made that decision with Social Security funds many years ago.
Brian Foley
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Mr. Graham,
I wish your opinion on not letting the gas prices drop too low could be read by the 800 people here in Knoxville that have just been put on a 10-week furlough at our three Sea Ray Boat plants. Reason for this, people can't afford gas for boats. Therefore, they are not buying them.
So 800 dedicated employees were put on a 10-week furlough right here at Christmas time. My heart goes out to them.
Yes, they will be able to draw unemployment, but that as we all know isn't enough to survive with the economy as it is right now. Actually unemployment in my opinion is a joke to some extent. The 800 employees here just breaks the surface actually. Sea Ray is closing down five other plants around the United States for the same reason. I just wanted this to be known.
K.J. Ward
proudnanny08@comcast.net
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