Americans have had it TOO EASY inrecent history. It has made us fat and lazy. The struggles we face as individuals are nothing compared to the struggles of others around the world, or others in the US that were before us. The "corruptions" that do us wrong are NOTHING compared to the corruptions others face. They would trade their hardships for our hardships in a heartbeat. I doubt any here would make the trade.

I know so many people personally as well as those on internet boards that have been without a job, or being threatened to lose a job, and complaining about how bad it is, but they just keep buying toys (GUNS, motorcycles, jetskiis, HD TVs, fancy cars/trucks, etc.).

I shake my head when people say "fixed income". MOST of us are on fixed incomes. Some are fixed higher and some are fixed lower, but very few have unlimited resources. IF you can afford something on your "fixed income" and you want it, you buy it. If you can't afford it, or you want something else more (maybe food or gas), then you don't buy it. That's the way it is. When my dad was a kid, his family had a fixed income that rarely afforded him to get a piece of candy. Maybe a couple times a year he would get a penny so he could buy a piece of candy. Kids now think they are poor if they don't have every new electronic gadget the day it hits the shelves at Walmart. Adults aren't any better.

Personally, I don't have cable or satalite TV in my house. My kids nag and complain about it and my wife tells them, "We can't afford it." Well, we CAN afford it, but we chose not to. In our eyes, itis money spent better somewhere else. I know people who are on public assistance and they have big HD TVs, drive nicer cars than what I have and end up going to a church to ask forBenevolence when they get FIRED from their job! Give me a break!!!!!!!

This oil/energy situation and the economy will work itself out eventually. It's likely going to get much worse before it gets better!!!!!! In the meantime, we need to do whatever our situation calls for to make it. Heaven forbid anyone give up their cell phone, or TV, or cut back on their driving or worse yet, give up their pop, cigarettes, or beer.........

Sorry for my rant. It's just the way I see it.

Other than that cascadedad, do you have any opinions on the issue? When you're right, you're right!

This is a gun forum and so I try to keep my politics out. But this topic (along with a few others such as gun control) is one I will add my 2 cents to.

Oil companies are businesses. When you purchase something from a business, any business, you pay for all of the costs associated with bringing that product to market, along with a some sort of profit for the business.

If you make it difficult/expensive for a business, any business, to bring a product to market, you are going to drive up the price of the product.

Lets repeat that in another way, if you make it difficult or expensive to bring a product to market, those additional costs WILL BE passed on to the consumer.

For a long time now oil companies have been prohibited from drilling locally: Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, the Dakotas, etc. Add to that we are not building new refineries. These things reduce the supply, which of course will drive up the price .

It does not end there.

Governments, both state and federal make WAY more money in taxes than oil companies do in profits. And they do absolutely NOTHING to help bring that product to market.

You want someone to be pissed off at because of high oil prices, look to your friendly, always useful government.

Their regulations (seasonal fuel blends for one) and taxes are the biggest reason why gas is so expensive.

There is plenty of oil, there is no reason for it to be so expensive. The only reason why it is so expensive is because the governmentpushes the price up. It is not the oil company "sticking it to the little man" as some would have you believe.

/rant off

Did I say I think people need to take personal responsibility for their own person??? Other than that, I think I said it all.

biggest reason I posted this was, that I know I have things coming in and did not know if major postal carries (ups, usps, or fedex) where going to be part of it or not. I know 2 major transporters where and think started it.

That is one reason I avoid political, religous, and some other certain issues on forms like this. One person's opinion does not make them right. All people might see things differently. Remember, that the right to see things as you feel true, and to voice your opinion and even to organize change as you see fit in a lawful orderly manner is your right. Enough said on that subject.

As Corey said, he posted this because of his concern over packages coming in and the report of a possible truckers/transportation demonstration. That is a good point as I have a number of packages myself, headed my direction. I did mail out a rifle this morning through United Parcel Service and I was a little shocked at the cost of shippment. I guess all things had to increase.

cayugad

I felt the pain the other day when shipped a rifle out - $32 when a couple of months earlier it was $18.??

Course everytime I fill the PU - I also feel the pain...

It is still my feeling, that even if the US were to cut back, way back on the consumption of oil... the prices would not change that much because of the emerging nations that are now in need of lumber - concrete - as well as oil and a whole lot of other things...

dang! no easy answer is there?

There was no mention of this in the first post. It all turned political right off the bat and Corey joined in. Since it was a political discussion, I gave my opinion also. It was just my opinion, which I admit I am very passionate about this subject.

I have 4 children, ages 15, 13, 9 and 4. I believe theyare being raised at the tail end ofthe generation that says, "I want it ALL and I want it ALL right NOW!". I said the tail end because I think things will be tough in the future and people will not "have it all". I struggle with this EVERY DAY. My wife and I struggled and made the hard decisions for the 18 years we have been married. We have put ourselves in a position where the current economy doesn't affect us very much. It has come with GREAT sacrifice over the years though. We have always lived on a "fixed income". We have worked our tails off to make the "fixed" level higher.

My struggle is raising my kids in the current generation. It really isn't these kids' fault. This generation has been raised this way and unfortunately, it is going to be very difficult for them in the future. Mom and Dad have given them everything their heart desires and when they get out on their own, they think they are entitled to everything they want. I do my best to prepare my kids, but as serious as I take it, I often feel I fall short in many ways.

Again, these are my thoughts and I respect all other thoughts on the subject. I might disagree, but I still respect you all here and your opinions. Even Sabotloader!!!!

To answer a previous question about cars. I just bought a 2009 Toyota Corolla a few weeks ago. It is the first brand new car I have owned since I graduated from college. It is rated at 35 mpg highway, 27 mpg city. My 10 mpg Suburban is sitting a lot right now.

sorry, I have brain farts. did not mean for it to be political. just forgot to add that. had a lot of stuff on my mind.

by the way, right now I drive a 98 chevy s10 27mhp highway, best was my first car, '81 chevy chevett, 32+ highway, fast little car too did 100+ in it [8D]

Al, It may not hurt the trucking company, since he can off-set the costs in the form of surcharges.It all rolls down to the working poor consumer in the way of higher prices for everything we use in everyday life that has to be trucked.Which is nearly every consumable.