Cockerspaniels
Castlewood Va
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Joined: 10/14/2003
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Re-instating the 55 MPH National speed limit is most immediate thing that we can do to affect the DEMAND side of the equation on fuel prices. Fuel prices are not going to go lower until DEMAND softens.
Its not popular in a lot of states, but 4.00 a gallon fuel and rising is not popular in any state. This is a national situation and Congress is asleep at the wheel.
Its not the cure all, but it would send a signal that we as a nation aren't going to sit here and do absolutely nothing, and keep shoving money over seas via our gas tank.
Its staring us right in the face. We as a country have to learn to conserve and at the same time, utilize the resources WE have, coal, oil, and gas in an environmentally responsible manner. We live in a carbon based world for now and its wont change overnight.
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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I see you are from the east. Drive out here awhile, you might change your mind. I can show you roads where you can drive over a hundred miles and not see a house or building the entire time. In fact if you pass another car you usually wave, cause you don't see many. Anywhere to do that in Virginia?
Chuck
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SkiDood
Peoples Republic of Minnesota
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No. Even though I choose to drive 5 mph under the limit, I dont support legislation forcing others to do so as well.
Oh and "in an environmentally responsible manner" is a canard used by environmentlist's to open a dialog about thier marxist policies.
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Briteskys
Mesa, AZ
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Regulating the market by dictating social behavior is a mistake.
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HarvinJeep
Va Beach, VA
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But if you have a VW TDI you will learn that the MPG is higher over 55 than below. Prime MPG seems to be closer to 90-100mph than 55mph, tested on a closed course of course.
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eurohazard
Travis AFB, CA
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I see the OP's point. I don't agree with it myself. But it's a valid point.
I am driving up to Seattle tonight (not towing...in fact driving my 4 cyl Camry). I will likely travel at 80 MPH, and I will get there in ~11 hours. And I will probably get about 27 MPG. If I had to do 55 MPH, I think I'd shoot myself.....it'd take longer (about 15 hr 45 min by my calculations), and I'd probably get 30 MPG. I'd rather get there quicker and spend a little more personally.
Having said that..........it's very wasteful. Dang, I am a real American!
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brirene
midwest
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I think the OP makes some good points. I remember the days of the 55 speed limit, and as I recall, it did reduce our consumption and was somewhat effective. Mostly, I agree that we can't continue to do nothing. Crisis of the 70's created a huge demand for smaller vehicles with better mileage. Once the "crisis" was over, we returned to the guzzlers again (obviously, I'm referring to the "general public" and everyday drivers in a general sense, not our TV's, DP's etc. which are not necessarily used every day). I for one am getting very tired of the issue which NO ONE seems to address, not our leaders anyway. I only wish we had begun to develop alternatives following the first crisis in the '70's; we might have some real solutions now. So flame away, if you wish. I'm not a Marxist, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once!
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Traveler II
Lindstrom, Minnesota
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I’m not in favor of mandating 55 MPH, put I am in favor of promoting the concept. I for one have lowered the speed we are driving; even out west with a published speed limit of 75 we are driving 55. I keep all our lights on as a safety factor. Most trucker, not all I find are slowing down, cars for the most part have not. The idea of saving fuel is important not only for the cost of it but to get away from dependents on others.
I like the idea, how can we promote the idea?
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targaboat
sulphur springs, tx, usa
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Our social behavior is controlled in many ways. Since energy cost affects all of us, why is controlling energy usage different as compared to controlling selling drugs for example? The alternative is extreme changes in our life styles which can potentially occur very rapidly when market and economic conditions are right. At least the result of selling drugs will provide relief from the pain.
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Cockerspaniels
Castlewood Va
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Joined: 10/14/2003
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Chuck&Gail wrote:I see you are from the east. Drive out here awhile, you might change your mind. I can show you roads where you can drive over a hundred miles and not see a house or building the entire time. In fact if you pass another car you usually wave, cause you don't see many. Anywhere to do that in Virginia
In fact we have many remote places (and we wave :-)) but the hundred mile part stops me cold! I understand your point and hopefully you understand mine in that I feel it would make an impact on the demand side of fuel costs.
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