What gas costs you....

[Fat Charlie]

Arragonis- talking to people would be a waste of time for something like this, it's just a matter of correlating statistics. How much money was spent on gasoline in a given year, and how much personal income was earned in that year? Somebody probably got a grant to do this study and I'll bet they didn't even have to do any actual research for it, just have a grad student dress up data that they already had.

$1 gas wasn't really a low point in the US, it's around what gas had been for a long time. Not to sound all Ron Paul or anything, but Washington went from buying back debt in the 90s to printing money so fast that they can't even keep track. So while the cost of oil may have gone up, the number of US dollars needed to pay that cost has gone up even more. Add that to wages not moving much and major unemployment and that graph looks right.

[Ladogaboy]

I seem to remember that during the period of time when I was in high school, I was paying ~ $1.50/gal. I stopped driving during college, so when I graduated (2001) and saw that the price was ~ $0.90/gal, I was shocked. That's partly why I remember. But I guess > 50% difference isn't worth considering. Either way, I was just saying that I found the period at which the chart started to be interesting. And regardless, we are arguing over statistics. What was that, again? Lies, damn lies, and statistics?

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by jakobnev

Having your balls groped and you water thrown away at airports.

You can pay good money for that in some towns

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Arragonis- talking to people would be a waste of time for something like this...

It says "Census" on the source, so I suspect they did just that - or handed out forms to people to fill in. Or maybe online, we all know how reliable the Internet is ?

[320touring]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

It says "Census" on the source, so I suspect they did just that - or handed out forms to people to fill in. Or maybe online, we all know how reliable the Internet is ?

Probably only the 20,000 Jedi that gas prices, filled in, they did...

Also, I'm confounded as to why the americans think Gas is expensive..still about 50% cheaper than here..

[CigaR007]

Originally Posted by 320touring

Also, I'm confounded as to why the americans think Gas is expensive..still about 50% cheaper than here..

It is expensive given their way of life. Filling up an SUV has become quite expensive by their standards.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

$1 gas wasn't really a low point in the US, it's around what gas had been for a long time. Not to sound all Ron Paul or anything, but Washington went from buying back debt in the 90s to printing money so fast that they can't even keep track. So while the cost of oil may have gone up, the number of US dollars needed to pay that cost has gone up even more. Add that to wages not moving much and major unemployment and that graph looks right.

Page 5 graph of this link seems to back up your claim, although it only goes through 2001.

Prices will rise in real terms eventually though.

Originally Posted by 320touring

Also, I'm confounded as to why the americans think Gas is expensive..still about 50% cheaper than here..

Perspective. Opinions are always based on perspective, and paying $3.50 for a gallon of gas is a lot of money when 10 years ago you could have it for a dollar.

Originally Posted by Ladogaboy

What was that, again? Lies, damn lies, and statistics?

The figures don't lie, but liars do figure.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

It is expensive given their way of life. Filling up an SUV has become quite expensive by their standards.

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Perspective. Opinions are always based on perspective, and paying $3.50 for a gallon of gas is a lot of money when 10 years ago you could have it for a dollar.

The figures don't lie, but liars do figure.

Fair cop, but filling my "relatively" ecoonomic 1.8L car costs me £75-80, that's $116-125 per tank...

I'm not so sure that the USA's average yearly salary is that much lower that the perspective would be that far seperated?

I do enjoy these discussions- keeps the "debating" part of my brain active!


agreed re the liars and figuring

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

It is expensive given their way of life. Filling up an SUV has become quite expensive by their standards.

It may not even be all that expensive were we to be able to see what they spend on fuel and other stuff (do they spend over $100/mo on a telephone? How about TV? How about insurance?) but it is a trendy thing to whine about.

[CigaR007]

Thing is, transportation is so inefficient in the USA, just like it is in Canada. I look forward to the day where bullet trains will be common here in North America. I was in Europe back in 2008, and I was impressed by the vast rail infrastructure. Fuel costs are higher there, but the alternative transportation is faster and cheaper. Nothing like cruising at 300 km/h while reading a book and enjoying the scenery !

[320touring]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

Thing is, transportation is so inefficient in the USA, just like it is in Canada. I look forward to the day where bullet trains will be common here in North America. I was in Europe back in 2008, and I was impressed by the vast rail infrastructure. Fuel costs are higher there, but the alternative transportation is faster and cheaper. Nothing like cruising at 300 km/h while reading a book and enjoying the scenery !

just don't confuse Mainland Europe with the UK

Been waiting on a "high speed" rail network since before I was born..

also, over here, public transport is not that cheap..

The buses are ok price wise but
A-dont run on time/follow a sensible route (1hr to do 9 miles here)

B-Are severely restricted if crossing county borders (3 changes to do 25 miles to my work-making the commute circa 1/2 the length of the working day)

Trains are even more restrictive, and VERY VERY expensive if taking a short notice, long distance journey- I've citied the £118 to take 3 in the car vs £114 EACH i experienced on a trip to nottingham

Dont get me wrong, I ofteen use bus/train, esp when heading into town as les parking issues /have a beer with lunch etc

just dont fall for the old "grass is greener"