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High Gas Prices Demand We Make Adjustments

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 14, 2008

We Have To Change

I became licensed to drive in 1976. Shortly thereafter, we had our first oil crisis and waiting in line to buy gas, sometimes for two hours at a time, had a great impact on me that I have never forgotten.

I have always driven an economy car, my present one being a Honda Civic. I also choose to live a green life, exchanging all light bulbs for CFLs 10 years ago, keeping my AC set to 82 degrees in summer and heat to 64 degrees in winter.

What has our country's leadership done in the past 32 years about this crisis? Nothing! Now Hummers and 45-room mansions are commonplace. This crisis could have been completely avoided, and we could have had an alternative fuel by now. Something needs to be done about our do-nothing leaders.

MARY MIKULA

Tampa

Can We Sacrifice?

So people want even more oil drilling in extra-expensive Alaska and the dirty Gulf of Mexico? And what will they sacrifice? Will they slow down to 80 mph through the construction zones?

Wasting natural resources is certainly not an "American" value. And instead of blaming "environmentalists" for high gas prices, people should take responsibility for their own inferior driving habits.

Then again, maybe the nation of immigrants just doesn't have what it takes to beat a bunch of crazy, religious terrorists who are financed through oil profits. I bet the environmentalists could, and at least they treat America like it is their home. I'll take them over the fake patriots any day.

MIKE BOND

Tampa

Don't Blame 'Big Oil'

I'm just a bit confused about a couple of things. Prices at the pump are increasing much faster than my salary, but no one is doing anything to actually bring down the price. The "big oil" companies get 4 percent on the gallon, but governmental taxes get 15 percent. So, how is it that the oil executives are accused of making "insane profits?" I mean, if government really makes more than three times as much an "insane profit," doesn't that really mean that it's more than three times an "insane tax?" How could they possibly propose even more "windfall" taxes that would drive up the prices even higher?

We haven't built a new refinery in this country in 32 years and, in the meantime, our needs have increased by 26 percent. So, if we need more refining abilities - why aren't we building more?

ALLEN PERRIN

Ruskin

It Goes In Cycles

I think I have oil figured out.

Most people see the oil companies and the oil-controlling nations as evil. I understand that, but I see them as greedy but getting the money while they can. The future of oil is going to change in the next five to 10 years.

As auto companies and many unheard of companies start producing cars that can use other forms of energy, oil producers are raping the world while they can. This happened because auto companies are afraid to make a car that we want when gas is at $4 a gallon, but don't care about if gas is $2.

It costs billions to develop these cars. We want them bad now, but when people start buying them what do you think is going to happen with oil?

Of course oil will drop until it gets to a point where gas becomes a good deal again. Then people will start saying maybe we don't need the electric car, and the car companies have not recouped their expense.

On the other hand, you have oil companies making $40 billion a year. Why would they spend that money to drill and refine when technology is going to take a big bite out of oil usage? They would spend it on refining if they thought prices would stay up, but they know the future is going to bring prices down, and their return on investment is much less. Why not pocket it while they can.

WAYNE SPENCER

Lutz

Consider Golf Carts

If you have ever traveled inside any of the thousands of gated communities in our fair state, I'm sure you have seen the prominent way of travel throughout is the golf cart. They are not only used on the course, but also for traveling about in these communities.

With gas over $4 a gallon and reported on its way to $5 or better, it may be time to explore golf cart use outside those gated walls.

Most electric carts will do about 15 mph, just about the cruising speed of a bicycle. In most cities and towns there are parallel streets or maybe ample space on roads with bicycle lanes that could accommodate these forms of travel. Somehow we have to find alternative means of transportation; not everybody can ride a bike or motorcycle. Mass transportation has limited boundaries and is nonexistent in smaller venues.

I'm not saying this is the only answer, but at least it's available now, it's clean, relatively cheap and with restrictions could save a lot of money that would otherwise be going to OPEC.

JAMES T. WOODS

Brooksville

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