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The Funny Thing Is

Bill Bunker — Thu, 8 May 2008 11:50:50 -0400

The funny thing about the present fuel crisis is the following.

Clinton and McCain want to roll back the gas tax which would be about 45 cents on fuel for the three months of the Summer.

Opponents argue that this would save the "average" person about $75.

When fuel was $3.12, no one was complaining or calling it a crisis. Over the last two months, it has climbed in price to $3.55-$3.60, which is by all measures the same amount the roll back of the gas tax would be...45 cents.

Now if you do the math, that means that over two months the gas increase has cost the "average" person $50.

Over 8 weeks that is an increase of $6.25 in their weekly gasoline bill. Heavy commuters aside, it seems to me that is not alot of money. Anyone who is anxious about the increase should be able to find a way to shift the burden and save $6.25 elsewhere.

Long commuters are the ones that would be most affected.

The second half of that story is that some politicians are saying that we would ONLY save $75. That tells me that those same politicians can not care much that we have ONLY spent $50 more over the last two months if we were an "average" person.

Americans feel entitled to certain things and I am not sure why. Fuel and health care are front and center.

Terri is correct that we do not need to drive monster vehicles. The ones that give me the biggest anxiety are the four wheel drive Dodge RAM trucks that many of the contractors and their employees drive 100 miles an hour on the interstate. These guys drive like they are shielded like a tank and as if they are invincible. There sitting on the back is strapped a ladder and nothing else in the truck and most of the time no passengers.

The speed and offensive driving aside, they are flushing fuel down the toilet!

American way of life

Terri Oberg — Wed, 7 May 2008 09:07:09 -0400

....that is essentially what it boils down to. We are a country made up of spoiled children. We have become a nation of people who like the freedom of just hopping in our cars and driving where ever we wish to go, from around the block to the pizza joint to cross country to visit friends or explore some wondrous place.

I am as guilty as the next guy. Until gas prices started sky rocketing, I thought nothing of making more then one trip into Concord in one day (a 15 + mile round trip each time). Trains went the way of the dinosaurs because they weren't as convenient as hopping in the car. There are schedules to keep, one would have to plan their trip to Boston around the train schedule. How much more convenient is it to just come and go when you want and/or need? Who wants to share a ride with strangers when we can go in the solitude and comfort of our own cars? New Hampshire is growing by leaps and bounds from the influx of people wanting to experience that solitude and comfort.

This is the mentality of the country we live in. I mean, seriously, do we really need to drive a vehicle that is nearly the size of a small house? Until I start using a bicycle to get around, walk to the pizza joint to get dinner and sell my S.O.'s big truck and boat I won't be complaining about the rising gas prices.

I remember the gas shortages in the 70's. That's when car companies started producing smaller, "compact" cars. I remember my Dad getting a Vega and calling it "the bug" because it was so much smaller than any other car they'd ever owned. Now it would be considered a mid-size car by today's standards. We are a nation that waits until there is a crisis that effects our way of life before we demand changes be made. This spike in gas prices is no different.

Also, those countries that have been around for so much longer then us, have an infrastructure that won't accomodate our big, gas guzzling vehicles. There is more then one reason they drive minis and find other modes of transport. There are plenty of times I think simpler is better. There are even times I think some of God's other creatures are smater then we are because they aren't raping and mutilating Earth; they just take what they need and leave the rest alone.

Tracy, When I built my house

audrey — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:58:17 -0400

Tracy,

When I built my house everyone tried to talk me out of building an 8X6 alcove with window seats, they said it was a waste to have an extra roof line and foundation, but I stuck with it. It is in my kitchen, because like you I grew up realizing that is where family bonds and memories are made. I have never regretted the extra expense, especially now that my children are grown and gone.

I enjoyed your introduction story very much.

Have fun!

Audrey P

Kitchen Table

Carmen — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 07:18:00 -0400

Hi Tracy!!

Congratulations! This is great! I love your introdution, that is a very special memory! Thanks for sharing it! I'm so proud of you for doing this, it is wonderful! I look forward to seeing more!

Carmen

Your Kitchen Table Story Is Great!

Tracy Merriman — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 15:31:33 -0400

Terri

Thanks for the story and the welcome! I am looking forward to writing about food...glad you can join me...it will be fun :)

Tracy M

Thanks Bill

Tracy Merriman — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 15:25:40 -0400

Looking forward to having a few blog fans! Glad I can count you in:)

Tracy M

Thanks

Tracy Merriman — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 15:21:21 -0400

Thanks Mommeex4! You can bet I'll always have some of those delicious bars ready for you, anytime! Thanks for being here with me.

Tracy

Hello Friend

mommeex4 — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 10:58:19 -0400

I really enjoyed reading your introduction. I will continue to join you at your Kichen Table. Just be sure to have your Apple Caramel Pecan Bars ready for me. Talk to you soon.

What a great name for your blog

Terri Oberg — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 08:36:47 -0400

The kitchen has always been the heart of a home. And one of my most prized possessions is my kitchen table. My Dad (who loved playing with wood in his spare time) made my Mom a beautiful shaker style dining table years ago. I loved and admired it so, that he decided to make me one too. He bought the best pieces of cherry he could find, but his arthritis made it too difficult for him to even start the project. The wood sat for years waiting for some loving hands to create something beautiful. Turns out my S.O. also loves working with wood. My Dad turned over the wood, and within a few weeks I had the most beautiful table anyone could ask for. I could lose everything I own, but have visions of my table becoming a priceless family heirloom.

I wrote a while back about the things we hold onto in our lives. I wrote about my distress at seeing my dining table chairs go to their new home at my S.O.'s daughter's apartment. I felt an attachment to them because I had spent so many years sitting at my dining table doing everything. They had come to symbolize everything I had been through as a single Mom.

I look forward to reading your blog. Welcome.

By the way, my S.O. is also from New Jersey. He spent summers in Vermont as a kid and loved it so much he moved here when he started his own family.

Welcome

Bill Bunker — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 20:19:43 -0400

Welcome Tracy and nice thoughts about family and I look forward to reading about food, which is one of my interests and vices (in a good way)!