[t vago]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I have a fundamental disagreement with the prevailing "growth philosophy" which is, constant growth is a requirement for our system or it will all implode. This idiotic philosophy has lead to much sprawl and degradation of places and things. What is so great about it? What is so great about when our economy is humming along? Why does everyone in the small cluster****s strive to create large cluster****s? Can't they just move to congested areas if that's what they want? As far as I can tell, what we got was a bunch of McMansion building, SUV driving, keeping-up-with-the-Joneses B*** S*** and not a whole bunch more. Don't make the mistake of thinking that was the norm because that just ain't sustainable.

So you'd rather we stagnate. That nice computer you have that you used to type out your ignorance is a "cluster****." Those many vehicles in your stable that you have is another "cluster****." All of this nice technology that was developed as a result of what you incorrectly call "idiotic," that enables you to live longer than people did even 50 years ago, is another "cluster****."

Hey, here's a solution - if you don't like this society that you live in that allows you to type out your bull****, and allows you to live high enough to afford numerous vehicles, then get out of this society! Go move to a worker's paradise, like in Cuba or North Korea! They certainly don't have to worry about urban sprawl or excessive consumerism.

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

He's right you know. By your glib remarks I know we'll never see eye-to-eye on much of anything which if fine because I don't want to be like you.

Feeling's mutual. I would much rather prefer not to be identified as an anti-American hypocrite who slanders American servicemembers as "mercenaries" and "baby killers." I'd much rather live in a society that grows and tackles problems as they come, rather than whimper and whine about them.

Originally Posted by jamesqf

"Watching the economy stall"? Did you sleep through the last couple of years? The economy did a lot more than stall, and gas prices had little or nothing to do with it.

But, golly gee whiz! I thought we were in a "recovery!"

You think things were bad a few years ago? You ain't seen nothin' yet! Just you wait until the other economic powers dump the dollar altogether as a result of all of the shenanigans in Washington causing gas prices (along with the price of everything else) to rise. How do you like having dollars that are worth 9% less than last year? Just wait until interest rates skyrocket, and housing prices crater. You thought it was bad before? Hah!

You two might yet get your collective wish of bring the American economy back to basics.

Originally Posted by jamesqf

Indeed, if handled correctly (not that I really expect it will be), higher gas prices might even stimulate the economy. Higher energy prices encourage efficiency, which results in net savings. Take for instance someone who drives 15K miles a year. With gas at $4, that costs $4000/year in a 15 mpg SUV. If gas prices cause a new car buyer to choose a Prius instead of an SUV, that means s/he has an extra $2500 a year or thereabouts to spend on stuff other than gas. (Not to mention that the Prius is probably cheaper to buy than the SUV.)

Thank you so much for your insight, President "You might want to think about a trade-in" Obama.