A thank you to our administration (/sarcasm)...

That's a nice cart (with those front wheels). I'm due for a new cart sometimes (use it mostly for laundry).

If I was in an almost rural setting like yours, just to get to the store, I would like something like this:
http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/media/surreysirenettablue.jpg

First saw these at the Billy Graham Central Park rally, where you could rent them at $15/hr but decided to wait until I had a special someone to ride it with. By that time, they were gone, and seemed to be chased out of every place they set up (Long Beach, etc).

However, Hammacher Schlemmer has one for sale, and it's $3700!

 

Not 'us.' The politicians we keep returning to office.

 

I'd like to see you lay some blame at the feet of the folks who refuse to let us capitalize on our own resources. I've re-read this thread numerous times. It looks like you abd C.T.Boy are on the same page. Blame Aericans, first.

I know this sounds harsh, but it's still al little early, here.

 

I do and have in this thread. It is too convenient to buy cheap foreign oil. I would love to see US corporations freed up to do business, but we are too dependent on the tax dollars from cheap oil. It goes MUCH deeper than just the current administration.

You don't see how much I agree with you on this one. Maybe it is the early hour.

Capitalism is far and above the superior economic system, but it does have flaws. The US companies know that they can get oil cheaper from Middle East that produce it themselves. In conjunction with administration after administration we have overlooked violence and tyranny to get cheap oil. That is not bias or opinion - that is fact.

I my first post I specified that the entire West, not just the US is guilty of the same pragmatism. That is why neither the US or the EU can do much about the mess in the Middle East at the moment.

 

I know it pre-dates Obama. I'll have a coffee & come back.

 

The taxes are higher

 

Mostly taxation. I pay over $7.00 a gallon at the moment, but a huge amount is taxes.

 

I added this above after you posted -

'Capitalism is far and above the superior economic system, but it does have flaws. The US companies know that they can get oil cheaper from Middle East than produce it themselves. In conjunction with administration after administration we have overlooked violence and tyranny to get cheap oil. That is not bias or opinion - that is fact.

I my first post I specified that the entire West, not just the US is guilty of the same pragmatism. That is why neither the US or the EU can do much about the mess in the Middle East at the moment.'

Ireland, as an example, is supposedly an example of liberalism, freedom, and caring - but she has no oil reserves so is forced into bed with these tyrants. This adds hypocrisy to pragmatism.

 

Taxes play a role, no doubt about that.

In Europe many countries are small. I do not know where the big refineries are ... but if gasoline has to cross boarders, and I expect this is true, then inter-country tariffs would also play a roll.

Additionally with public transportation so good in Europe there is little reason to encourage people to own cars and add additional clog already crowded highways.

 

As I showed in another thread, by doing so I end up using much less energy than if I stay at home. I never drive a car here. I always use public transportation.

 

Outside of Dublin public transport still is rotten here and we still get taxed to keep us from driving :-( argh

 

Public transportation will only ever be limited in the US. We are to independent. I personally do not want to have to use it. No matter what you do to improve it it is just lousy to have to cram in with hundreds of other people. I want my truck. I want to get there when I want to get there. Waiting on PT adds hours to you day. I don't want that either. Such waiting takes away from time at home with the family.

 

I am not picking on you with this reply.

That said;

I
Me
My

is the American way.

Now this is understandable as we have been so blessed ... and it is not to say it would not be the same all over the world if circumstances were different.

I had a neighbor who worked at the same company as I. She adamantly refused to consider car pooling. She would always say, "I want my car. I want my freedom to go when I want, where I want, when I want."

The longest wait I have here is on weekends and can be up to 20 minutes. I have sat longer than that in traffic jams at home to go a mile.

 

I will remember that any time I see you supporting any American rights.

 

I actually wrote "suburban" first, but when I think suburban, I think of like in the towns in LI (where you can still walk to a store), but you had mentioned the hills and how far the nearest store was, and that you HAD to have cars to get anywhere, I figured you must be further out (and I gathered that before anyway, I believe, from that discussion about volunteer fire companies, and you always mention "villages" rather than towns).

So it sounded like in between suburban and rural, and for some reason I figured the latter would cover it.

Also, as far as carts, I was looking at this: http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/carts?productId=10007349&green=20763236833 because I've been seeing people with them, and it look so strong and sturdy.
But look how much it costs!

 

No twisting of words ... and I aimed the post at all of us. I said I was not picking on you. As things stand now you have to have your truck.

Let's look at the post and I will highlight the words:

Now, as I said you might well get home quicker, even with a wait, by have unclogged streets and roads. If you are fortunate and live in an area where gridlock does not happen, that is great and your truck is faster.

Public transportation needs to be developed first in urban areas. We have a very inefficient transportation system. Every morning on I-66 going into DC there are thousands upon thousands of cars and trucks creeping along at 3 to 5 mph, burning gas. This could be greatly reduced with an efficient public transportation system.

I live in an urban area and would be thrilled if I could get around without an automobile. I would really like to be able to get around town without having to drive and get stuck in grid lock at certain times of day. However, that is not the case. I doubt that I will live long enough to see such a system in place.

It would take much longer to develop a good rural system, perhaps impossible as the US is so large. But urban areas, that is a different story.

 

Well you confirmed what I thought I was wrong about after a second look. You are kind of a slick fella aren't you. I think it is best that you and I stay clear of each other. I would appreciate it if you would just leave my posts alone. And I will do the same with yours. God Bless.