Illinois....YOU SUCK!

[Dans_Si]

Damn gas prices. We are now higher then California! Plus the news reported that they are trying to push a gas tax increase adding up to $.70 tax. Illinois can suck it with there state gax taxation...

All I know is that I'm filling up before the weekend when prices ski high.

[CZ-75]

And you already have 10% EtOH added, cutting back on your mileage per gallon. I'm glad I don't live there anymore.

[tennisfan16]

oklahoma>illinois

[GridGi]

Check this: http://www.chicagogasprices.com

[spincycle]

North of the border (WI) in the Milwaukee area has its on special gas "cocktail" that is terrible on millage, and cost a bunch at the pump. Makes me start to dream of the Honda FX come on Hydrogen power!!! At least the Civics gets good millage, imagine if you had some of the alternatives that get 20 or less mpg.

[Jaranath]

Originally Posted by CZ-75

And you already have 10% EtOH added, cutting back on your mileage per gallon.

Yes, and mainly just to give farmers a handout (to be fair, it's good for the urban air quality 'round Chicago and Saint Louie).

But frankly, as much as it means money out of my pocket and everybody else's and as much as I'm driving an Si and not a standard Civic or hybrid, so a grain of hypocritical salt: I'm can't really complain about high gas prices, especially taxes. It's one of the few things that will actually get people to want to conserve. Aside from the environmental benefits, it just plain makes economic/social sense. For most people, driving a Hummer is like smoking...it makes you feel good, perhaps, but other than that you and others are better off without.

So yeah, I hate the prices. But I sure like some of the consequences. Reminds me of that London congestion tax...

[CZ-75]

Originally Posted by Jaranath

Yes, and mainly just to give farmers a handout (to be fair, it's good for the urban air quality 'round Chicago and Saint Louie).

But frankly, as much as it means money out of my pocket and everybody else's and as much as I'm driving an Si and not a standard Civic or hybrid, so a grain of hypocritical salt: I'm can't really complain about high gas prices, especially taxes. It's one of the few things that will actually get people to want to conserve. Aside from the environmental benefits, it just plain makes economic/social sense. For most people, driving a Hummer is like smoking...it makes you feel good, perhaps, but other than that you and others are better off without.

So yeah, I hate the prices. But I sure like some of the consequences. Reminds me of that London congestion tax...

Not as much to farmers as to ADM in Decatur, etc. I doubt many folks who drive Hummers are going to be too hurt by fuel prices, but the folks who can only afford to own a pickup for their transportation and/or work or some old gas-guzzler are going to feel the pain, since fuel taxes are regressive. Also unfair to rural residents, since they often can't live near where they work or shop.

As to Red Ken's congestion tax, one wonders how that contributes to the gentrification of London, since it is essentially allowing the wealthy to buy their way out of inconvenience.

[Kurt]

Man I'm glad I have an EX now.

[Cookstar]

I think the whole concept of different gasoline blends is silly in my opinion. I don't understand why there can't be one clean blend for the whole country. Right now, part of the reason for the higher gas prices are the logistical problems resulting from having so many different blends. Here's an article on this subject: http://www.cei.org/gencon/019,04157.cfm

A lot of folks say "big oil" is responsible for the prices. Well, big government plays a big part in it as well.

As for Illinois, imposing a tax hike on gas, especially during these times, is a slap in the face to its taxpayers.

[Jaranath]

Originally Posted by CZ-75

Not as much to farmers as to ADM in Decatur, etc. I doubt many folks who drive Hummers are going to be too hurt by fuel prices, but the folks who can only afford to own a pickup for their transportation and/or work or some old gas-guzzler are going to feel the pain, since fuel taxes are regressive. Also unfair to rural residents, since they often can't live near where they work or shop.

As to Red Ken's congestion tax, one wonders how that contributes to the gentrification of London, since it is essentially allowing the wealthy to buy their way out of inconvenience.

Re: Gas price inequities, yeah, it isn't as simple as I'd like.

Re: Congestion tax, I haven't heard LOTS about it, but what I'm hearing is that it's popular, has cut congestion about 1/3, and that much (all?) of the money's going into public transit.

[Dans_Si]

Every time I hear about the profits the oil companies report I smell Enron...And Pres. Bush is nowhere to be seen on this issue. Hell, he was/is an oil tycoon.

All I have heard Bush talk about is we need to me less dependant on oil in 2025 or whatever it was....2025...how about 2007!! Is someone looking into why the oil companies resources keep breaking down or why they are shutting down for "maintenance"?

I don't drive a huge SUV..I don't drvie if I don't have to...but I need to get to work and paying $4 for a gallon hurts.

[CZ-75]

Originally Posted by Dans_Si

Every time I hear about the profits the oil companies report I smell Enron...And Pres. Bush is nowhere to be seen on this issue. Hell, he was/is an oil tycoon.

All I have heard Bush talk about is we need to me less dependant on oil in 2025 or whatever it was....2025...how about 2007!! Is someone looking into why the oil companies resources keep breaking down or why they are shutting down for "maintenance"?

I don't drive a huge SUV..I don't drvie if I don't have to...but I need to get to work and paying $4 for a gallon hurts.

It's a bit unrealistic to make a sea change in how we consume energy within less than 5 years, so 2025 isn't that unrealistic. However, it isn't Bush that made it hard to build new refineries, it is the EPA. Government restriction has played right into the hands of those with existing refineries, as it has effectively curtailed competition by placing significant barriers to entry. This is a clusterf--k all the way around, Republicans, Democrats, oil companies, car manufacturers, Joe Schmo and the environmentalists.

[Cookstar]

Originally Posted by CZ-75

It's a bit unrealistic to make a sea change in how we consume energy within less than 5 years, so 2025 isn't that unrealistic. However, it isn't Bush that made it hard to build new refineries, it is the EPA. Government restriction has played right into the hands of those with existing refineries, as it has effectively curtailed competition by placing significant barriers to entry. This is a clusterf--k all the way around, Republicans, Democrats, oil companies, car manufacturers, Joe Schmo and the environmentalists.

Great post! Here's a couple more articles about your good government at work:
http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed011006a.cfm
http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed040606b.cfm

[Cookstar]

Kinda like this Ben Lieberman guy:
http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed031706a.cfm

[Yodums]

That's been the norm up here in Canada. Quebec has it even worse I believe.

[TommyD]

what pisses me off to the maximum is all the years that have gone by when gas was cheap where these idiots would buy tanks that get mileage in the teens then proceed to put 20k + miles on the thing a year. Yes the oil companies are corrupt but our demand doesn't help matters. I've always drove fuel efficient vehicles because I didn't want to glut up the gasoline and I wish everyone was like this so I wouldn't have to pay $4 a gallon gas this summer. I'm tired of this shit!

[firmhonda]

When I first got my license (and clinton was in office), it was $0.86 a gallon.

[Dans_Si]

Originally Posted by TommyD

what pisses me off to the maximum is all the years that have gone by when gas was cheap where these idiots would buy tanks that get mileage in the teens then proceed to put 20k + miles on the thing a year. Yes the oil companies are corrupt but our demand doesn't help matters. I've always drove fuel efficient vehicles because I didn't want to glut up the gasoline and I wish everyone was like this so I wouldn't have to pay $4 a gallon gas this summer. I'm tired of this shit!

Hell...I know it adds complexity but why can't the state (IL) cross reference what you drive then tax accordingly during tax season instead of this blanket tax. Why should I get dinged the same as the SUV drivers?

[Jaranath]

Originally Posted by Dans_Si

Hell...I know it adds complexity but why can't the state (IL) cross reference what you drive then tax accordingly during tax season instead of this blanket tax. Why should I get dinged the same as the SUV drivers?

It would add a layer of bureaucracy, but...shrug. Maybe. Or maybe attach it to the licensing fee. I can just see the arguments about that one, though, and the legislative haggling over who gets charged what.

Originally Posted by TommyD

I've always drove fuel efficient vehicles because I didn't want to glut up the gasoline and I wish everyone was like this so I wouldn't have to pay $4 a gallon gas this summer. I'm tired of this shit!

Please don't forget--and gah, do I wish we could get people to grasp this about most everything, from cars to light bulbs to furnaces to AC units to so darn much else--the main reason to drive fuel-efficient vehicles isn't because you care so much about what everyone else pays (though if you do, cool, good for you). It's because it saves YOU money, directly!

It can be debatable in some cases (e.g., hybrids) but in general, greater efficiency is a no brainer. People are too short-sighted about their own finances. Build my house at 10% higher cost with insulated concrete walls and high-efficiency climate control that saves that 10% within the decade, please! Ahem.

[jpik2003]

Originally Posted by tennisfan16

oklahoma>illinois

sure the gas is a little higher... but atleast we have good clubs & fun stuff downtown.