Rodney wrote: We are having, an interesting discussion on another board that I belong to (the Cessna 150-152 club). The basic thesis of the discussion is that with the increasing cost of energy, we may be coming to the point that the "middle class" is going to be priced out of flying, even the most economical aircraft. Can't get much more economical than a Cessna 150.
I looked at some receipts that I kept yesterday. Four years ago, I paid $.90 a gallon for diesel. Yesterday, I paid $3.89 for a gallon of diesel. Almost 430% inflation. The cost of a gallon of gasoline has increased at about the same rate.
The cost for driving my motorhome, is approaching $.60 per mile for fuel. I have a Ford 460 in my Class A, and it gets about 5.5 miles per gallon.
Oil hit another high on the commodities exchange yesterday and it appears that a gallon of gas will soon approach $4.00 per gallon.
I freely admit that I do not understand this marketplace we have for oil. Why don't the major oil companies go straight to the producers and buy the oil? What is the purpose of having a commodities exchange for oil? I have worked in electrical generation for 28 years. We go straight to the owners of the mines and negotiate a yearly contract for coal - there is no middle man to run the price up.
I have another question. Are we, as Americans, making the kinds and types of choices that will eventually lead to the demise, or severe curtailment of our RV experience?
As was recently pointed out by the US Geological Survey, we have enormous reserves of oil in America. These reserves lie along our coastlines, in Alaska, and most recently, an enormous field was reported in North Dakota, South Dakota and parts of Montana.
These reserves combine to total billions of gallons of crude oil at our disposal. In fact, there really is no shortage of crude oil.
It appears to me though, that "middle class" America is quite happy paying $4.00 per gallon for gas, and may even tolerate as much as $6.50 per gallon.
I don't mean to be political here, but it also appears that no one in our government is the least bit concerned about the energy issue. I say that because I do not see anyone doing anything about it. What I do see is an enormous effort to convince us that we are "bad" for consuming energy, while politicians run around all over the world in private jets. A Gulfstream G-V doesn't really get very good gas mileage.
In fact, another HUGE tax on the American consumer is working it's way through Congress right now. It's called the Carbon Tax. It will literally take trillions of dollars from us and send it to Washington.
Our company projects electricity rates to increase 30% due to this tax, and diesel and gasoline from 12% to 15%.
We choose not to develop our known oil resouces. We choose not to build new refineries. We choose not to build new coal or nuclear power plants, and even if we did, we choose not to build new transmission lines to get the power to the consumer.
One conclusion was put forth on the Cessna 150-152 board; it was fly now and enjoy it, because it soon may be gone. It appears that my plans for retirement and traveling in my RV are in serious jeopardy.
I guess it's my fault - during my working career I was not able to put back couple of million dollars to retire on.
Perhaps the same can be said for those of us that have invested
heavily in the RV lifestyle. Enjoy it now, because it soon may be gone.
Regards
Rodney Wren
Rodney,everyone has their opinion...politics aside mine are exactly the same as yours!Too bad NO ONE will do anything about it,I suppose after the price of fuel drives everthing else in the country in the toilet,someone will do something but it will be to late to save the life style we enjoy(ed) I never had any planes but I've had a bunch of racecars,hot rods,muscle cars....
2008 Keystone Cougar XLite 29RLS
2006 Super Duty V10 6 Speed 4.10S Tow Command Tow Pkg. 4X4
We all sit here and type about the oil and cost of things...remember about 230 years ago they had a party in Boston because of things being taken away from the average person.
Whats sad is there is about 300 million people and look what we will have come this November and also look how Goo-Goo alot of the people are about a couple of them...my take is we get exactly what we deserve.
The tax man is coming for you...are you ready?
Bend over!
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are now the rule.
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.
Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries, then
Tax his tears.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has all your dough.
When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin even more,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.
Put these words
upon his tomb,
" Taxes drove me to my doom..."
When he's gone, Do not relax, Its time to apply
The inheritance tax, for everything that was already taxed.
Aircraft license tax
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
Boat license Tax
Capital Gaines Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Disposal Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Garbage Disposal Tax
Gasoline Tax (42 cents per liter)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hotel/Motel bed Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
CRA Interest Charges CRA Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Provincial Income Tax
Provincial Unemployment Tax
Real Estate Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Road Usage Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, Provincial and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 77 years ago; but wait, they are thinking up more ways to tax you. Prior to that our nation was one of the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
Now the dollar in your pocket is becoming more worthless everyday.
And I still have to "press 1" for English!
What the hell happened? Your apathy and Politicians??
There has to be, must be a better, way!
"Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, and Faith looks up and ahead as you control your own faith, but are others going to determine your future or are you? If you can't control this decision, then others - as they likely will do it for you.
Anyone know when the last oil refinery was actually built in the US? I was told that even if we struck new oil in the states, our refinery capabilities are limited.
Just what I heard, anyone know differently?
2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab w/6.7 Cummins
2008 Palamino Sabre 31RKTS
Reese 15K Pro Series manual slide
Prodigy
Firestone Air Bags
Travel in peace...leave the M-I-L at home.
PrivatePilot wrote: Diesel hit the equivalent of $4.71/Gallon here today. Regular 87 octane is $4.23/Gallon converted.
The US prices still look pretty good to me. ;-)
(FWIW, Add me as another pilot who hasn't been flying in a while since the wet hourly on a C152 approached $150...sigh)
Yeah, but you're getting that FREE HEALTHCARE!
I've resigned myself to flying NetJets, Phoenix, AZ., when I don't take the diesel-motorcoach, or American Airlines First Class. Stay home, if fuel prices don't fit your lifestyles, folks!
I have a sweet tender nature, however I enjoy sharing my thoughts and opinions.
I'm surprised that no-one mentioned Coal to Liquids (CTL). Our country is the Saudi Arabia of coal. South Africa currently uses large amounts of Fischer/Traupch fuel in their ground and air fleet. Those old enough should recall that Germany ran their war machine in the final months of WWII on diesel made from coal.Our Air Force has tested several combat plane on FT Fuel and plan to have our entire Air Force fleet certified to fly on FT fuel. It follows that our Civilian Air Fleet could also operate on this FT Jet Fuel.
Why hasn't something been done? The "Greens" in our country worry more about Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere then our National Defense.
Making Diesel and Jet Fuel from coal would free us up of our dependence on Foreign oil (not elminate it, but reduce it to the point where we probably wouldn't have to go to war to insure a supply for our military).The states with coal: Montana, Wyoming, Kentucky, Illinois, West Virginia and others would prosper if/when this happens.
Legislation is currently being introduced to rescind the clause prohibiting CTL that the "Greens" slipped into energy legislation recently. Diesel from Coal would have ony 2-3 ppm Sulphur, where the current Ultra Clean Diesel is 15 ppm and Clean Diesel (soon to be outlawed) 500ppm Sulphur. What Part of Energy Independence Don't Our elected Federal Officials understand?
Oh yeah, the topic - I'm leaving AZ next week to head to TX and ultimately MI, and don't look forward to the +$4.00/gal. cost of diesel. Guess I'll have to eat lots of salted popcorn and water to keep me full - tough to keep the Duramax fed and myself
penokee,otto and honey
Kajtek1 wrote: After I pay for 20 gallons of diesel to drive my coach to the Sierra, staying on $12 campsite is cheaper than utilities at home. Food is cheaper most of the time as well. No Mc or buckets of ice cream for my sons.
Good excuse to skip long church drive and donation as well.
Kris!!! I had it in my mind you were a really great guy. But....denying your kids a little ice cream and shorting the donation basket do make me wonder. Are you really a miserable miser?
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Are you really a miserable miser? 
