Comments on: The benefits of high gas prices http://www.thevicenarian.com/2008/04/10/the-benefits-of-high-gas-prices/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:46:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: thevicenarian.com » Save 17 cents per gallon http://www.thevicenarian.com/2008/04/10/the-benefits-of-high-gas-prices/#comment-154 thevicenarian.com » Save 17 cents per gallon Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:34:48 +0000 http://www.thevicenarian.com/2008/04/10/the-benefits-of-high-gas-prices/#comment-154 [...] a theme as of late : gasoline is getting really expensive. On these pages, I’ve offered a silver lining to the escalating costs as well as some ideas to keep the costs down. Here’s another that [...] […] a theme as of late : gasoline is getting really expensive. On these pages, I’ve offered a silver lining to the escalating costs as well as some ideas to keep the costs down. Here’s another that […]

]]> By: Tad Johnson http://www.thevicenarian.com/2008/04/10/the-benefits-of-high-gas-prices/#comment-146 Tad Johnson Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:07:08 +0000 http://www.thevicenarian.com/2008/04/10/the-benefits-of-high-gas-prices/#comment-146 Some of the comments above suggest that we'll keep living in the suburbs even with high gas prices. My view is that it's just not possible--with the exception of some very wealthy communities, no one is going to voluntarily drop $100/day just to drive back and forth from their McMansion. (In my most humble opinion, of course) Some of the comments above suggest that we’ll keep living in the suburbs even with high gas prices. My view is that it’s just not possible–with the exception of some very wealthy communities, no one is going to voluntarily drop $100/day just to drive back and forth from their McMansion. (In my most humble opinion, of course)

]]> By: Mark Krusen http://www.thevicenarian.com/2008/04/10/the-benefits-of-high-gas-prices/#comment-145 Mark Krusen Sat, 12 Apr 2008 17:02:19 +0000 http://www.thevicenarian.com/2008/04/10/the-benefits-of-high-gas-prices/#comment-145 I'd like to see the return to the city. I just don't think it's going to happen. Perception is everything. People are worried about crime. In everyone's mind, and in reality also. Crime's of necessity happen more often in the city. The crime in the burbs (I believe anyway )are more crimes of passion. I think we will stay in the suburbs where we perceive it to be safer. I'm justa saying! I’d like to see the return to the city. I just don’t think it’s going to happen. Perception is everything. People are worried about crime. In everyone’s mind, and in reality also. Crime’s of necessity happen more often in the city. The crime in the burbs (I believe anyway )are more crimes of passion. I think we will stay in the suburbs where we perceive it to be safer. I’m justa saying!

]]> By: Claire http://www.thevicenarian.com/2008/04/10/the-benefits-of-high-gas-prices/#comment-144 Claire Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:07:30 +0000 http://www.thevicenarian.com/2008/04/10/the-benefits-of-high-gas-prices/#comment-144 I think you're right, but we are also heavily subsidizing development further from city centers and people don't want to pay for mass transit. They want their gas to be cheap. What happened in the '50s with purposeful destruction of mass transit systems throughout the country was vile and such an unbelievable waste. It will cost cities (who tend to be cash-strapped) a lot of money to rebuild that infrastructure. I want to believe that we will become more urban and make better planning decisions because we are forced to, but I still worry that people will continue to demand what's easy. I think you’re right, but we are also heavily subsidizing development further from city centers and people don’t want to pay for mass transit. They want their gas to be cheap. What happened in the ’50s with purposeful destruction of mass transit systems throughout the country was vile and such an unbelievable waste. It will cost cities (who tend to be cash-strapped) a lot of money to rebuild that infrastructure. I want to believe that we will become more urban and make better planning decisions because we are forced to, but I still worry that people will continue to demand what’s easy.

]]> By: jrandom42 http://www.thevicenarian.com/2008/04/10/the-benefits-of-high-gas-prices/#comment-143 jrandom42 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:47:34 +0000 http://www.thevicenarian.com/2008/04/10/the-benefits-of-high-gas-prices/#comment-143 Here's the two problems I see with the 'silver lining'. 1. How long does it take to complete a transit project, much less building a whole system? I've seen some projects, despite being well funded, take decades to complete. 2. How much will all this cost, especially when you consider the rising cost of materials, fuel (the stuff has to get there somehow, and horse drawn carts aren't practical), and the fact that tax revenues are shrinking in the face of the coming recession? I can remember the debate in some cities back in the 70's: Building a transit system that will come on line in 15 years, or replacing a 120 year old water system that had a major pipe break last week? Here’s the two problems I see with the ’silver lining’.

1. How long does it take to complete a transit project, much less building a whole system?

I’ve seen some projects, despite being well funded, take decades to complete.

2. How much will all this cost, especially when you consider the rising cost of materials, fuel (the stuff has to get there somehow, and horse drawn carts aren’t practical), and the fact that tax revenues are shrinking in the face of the coming recession?

I can remember the debate in some cities back in the 70’s: Building a transit system that will come on line in 15 years, or replacing a 120 year old water system that had a major pipe break last week?

]]> By: Erik W http://www.thevicenarian.com/2008/04/10/the-benefits-of-high-gas-prices/#comment-142 Erik W Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:28:55 +0000 http://www.thevicenarian.com/2008/04/10/the-benefits-of-high-gas-prices/#comment-142 A solid argument for a gas tax: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/opinion/14friedman.html Not only would we see an increase in public transportation and more energy efficient cars, but less money would go to terrorists and more money would be kept at home. A solid argument for a gas tax:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/opinion/14friedman.html

Not only would we see an increase in public transportation and more energy efficient cars, but less money would go to terrorists and more money would be kept at home.

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