Yeah. You might see riots here if gas were that expensive.
Cars are Americans basic transportation. Public transportation here is nowhere near where it would need to be for people to use it a lot.
guyrocket
joined 2 years ago
I actually don't think the price of gas will ever go down much because they'll (they = OPEC) continue to manipulate supply to keep the price up. And here in the US the price is probably already too low. I think it has stayed lower than inflation. So there's no normal supply / demand with gasoline.
And you're right. I don't know anyone that takes leisurely drives for fun. Probably 95% of driving in the US is basic transportation. I drive to get my son to/from school and buy stuff and used to drive to work.
But I think a lot of people will buy EVs and/or hybrids for commuting. Which can be a positive change. Hopefully the infrastructure (charging stations, etc.) for EVs will keep up with the demand. I owned a Prius recently and it was my lowest total cost of ownership ever with any vehicle. I assume an EV would be even better.
A good solution for an American family is EV for commuting and errands and rent an ICE vehicle if you want to drive for a vacation. Everyone seems to think that the < 400 mile range is a BIG problem for EVs but no so when you can charge it all night every night and only commute 20 miles each way. EVs have commuting solved and I think they'll catch on for that soon here in the US.
I don't think that will ever happen. It would be political suicide for a legislature/governor/president to pass major gas tax increases.
Almost every adult American owns a car. Our public transportation exists in major cities but is very poor. Our housing densities are also pretty bad because most families want to live in a big, American house. Most suburbs in the US are terrible for even walking because they have few sidewalks and you have to walk in the road.
As an example, when I worked in the office my drive in a car was about 30 minutes each way. If I wanted to take bus / train that would have at least doubled IF I made the 2 connections perfectly (which would probably never happen). Good chance it would take 1.5 hours most of the time. And I would not have been able to pick up my son from school to have time with him because I'd have to take public transportation 5 cities over, about 21 miles (35 km) which would take hours on public transportation so I'd have to leave work at lunchtime.
The path away from ICE in the US is EVs or similar (hyrdogen, etc.). And improving infrastructure to lessen the need for cars. Few politicians would try to boost the gas taxes much at all. Even small increases in the gas tax are unpopular.
It is cheap by international standards, yes. Prices were closer to $4 / gallon recently. I think most Americans would say that it is expensive closer to $4 and cheap around $3.
I expressed it poorly but my point is that EVs should decrease demand for gasoline which should drive the price down. And of course that is not happening because they're manipulating supply.
And gas is still >$3 / gallon.
Fast food prices have become silly, I agree. I go to "sit down" restaurants more often now because they're only a little more expensive.
The best technique is not to modify the ramp but get people to use spikes on their shoes. The ramp will almost always be icy/snowy during winter and it will be difficult to stop this or remove ice without damaging the wood.
I have something like this. I got mine at Costco (check now, it's seasonal): https://www.amazon.com/Yaktrax-Spikes-Walking-Large-X-Large/dp/B01IB76JTY/ref=sr_1_23?keywords=shoe%2Bspikes%2Bfor%2Bwinter&qid=1699053381&sr=8-23&th=1
And if people use this you probably want something on that wood to protect it from the spikes. I suggest this or similar: https://www.amazon.com/ZGR-Outdoor-Profile-Entryway-Non-Slip/dp/B08N5WFJ1Z/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=outdoor+runners&qid=1699053563&sr=8-6
A runner like this also allows whoever maintains the ramp to "shake off" snow and thin ice.
No perfect solution, IMHO. But I think this would work best. This will also help those people wherever they walk.
What potential do you see?
I see that Proton allows payment via PayPal. Is it possible to pay via PayPal anonymously? I don't use PP much at all so IDK.
I was surprised when I was quitting smoking that my friend (who also smoked) was advocating vaping instead. I asked: Why not just quit completely?
I do think vaping is less dangerous than actually smoking but not doing either one is best for your health. Even getting "hooked" on nicotine gum or similar is better than smoking or vaping. But again, best to just quit nicotine / smoking / vaping completely.