Yes, the average is higher...the the % of our oil that we get from Iraq was lower. Before the sanctions, we got 'buddy' rates from Iraq. After they were lifted, we had to pay the same prices as everyone else. That was the big change...we used to get a deal, then none at all, then oil but no special deal. I'll bet we end up with a special deal again pretty soon.
Regardless of all that, gas prices will never be low again and within 25 years there will be a DRASTIC change in the way life is lived in America and around the world. No, I'm not saying we'll run out of oil in 25 years. I'm saying, in 25 years we will peak for barrels/year. So every year after that, we will produce less and less oil. The problem is, up until right now we've NEEDED more oil every year. We've taken for granted that every year, the world will produce more oil than it did the year before. When that stops happening, we're screwed...even though it means we're only half way done with all the oil on earth. Because if production doesn't increase, you can't have global growth (industry, population, modernization of 3rd world countries, technology, etc). So all the sudden, we're gonna have to stop growing.

 

So what! This is the point i'm trying to make.

It's the least that could happen from the new regime. It still doesn't come close in justifing the war to begin with though.

 

I thought the point you were trying to make is that we didn't go to Iraq for oil. You're right that oil doesn't justify the war...but that doesn't mean it wasn't reason #1 for going. Anyway, this part of the discussion is pointless for both sides.

The real discussion that's in this thread is about how unless we all suddenly learn how to get by using less than half of the energy we each do now, the future that our children will live in won't look anything like our world now.

 

Making a gallon of gasoline is a complex process. Rising taxes and fees do not help the rock-bottom cost of a gallon either. I think it's around $1.50 now.

 

Would any of you really trade your subie for a hybrid?
Haha, you are soooo lucky I just filled my car @2.80 gallon It cost me 40 bucks
Exactly



How much is gas in other countries?
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lis...ces/price.html

 

All I know is that the Golf TDI is looking more and more attractive

Paying $36 for gas every week is not something that makes ImprezaSTifan happy.

 

The $12 a week you save on gas won't go so far towards that payment though.

 

Seriously, yes. No matter how much it would pain me. But when I think gas prices can hit 5.00 dollars in a year thats a bunch of money to throw away every week. Unfortuantly, Austin has a crappy public transportation so I will be driving around for sometime to come.


A Lot more expensive. In Europe I know they sell it by the LITER. So right there thats FOUR times as much as us per gallon. But the positive is that they do not drive as far as we do and they have AWESOME public transportation. Something I have always thought the US lacks in most major cities.

 

we can thank lobbyists for the anemic public transportation structure in the US. Look no further than the Redline fiasco in LA.

 

So its the taxes and fees, got yea. Well something has to give sooner than later. To top that off China is only going to buy more and more oil. Which means less for us.

The next 25 years are going to be crucial for the US and the World. If we can adapt and change then we'll be ok, if not be ready to see drastic changes concidering the economy of the world and wars. But thats just my stupid Doomsday rambaling.

 

I agree about PT, it sucks here, but I think the main reason is that the US, and even most of the states are so much bigger in area than the european countries. Especially so cal, sac and the bay area, I don't really know anyone who would use PT for thier commute. We do have park and ride and carpool programs, too bad more people don't use them.


I wonder why some of these countries have sub 2$gas prices, especially the last one.

 

Not too sure.

Maybe there's a refinery that supplys the fuel to those paticular stations nearby. This way there's minimal shipping costs? I could be wrong though...

 

Oh yeah...

Forgot to mention that we cut off Saddam.

Relations may have been rocky during the last decade but only a fool would cut off supply to one of the most oil-thirsty countries in the world.

 

I can't find any proof otherwise, so I'll have to take your word for it. But it's easy to cut off your biggest customer if you think they're gonna kill you. That wouldn't make him a fool...it'd make him normal.

 

Isn't Venezuela one of the larger producers of oil in the world? I'd guess that's why they get cheap gas...