Bush says he’s pressing for end to dependence on foreign oil

President Bush points out that we are dependent on oil from some parts of the world that do not like the United States. The longer we are dependent on that type of energy, the less likely people can maintain their good, high-paying jobs. Democrat chairman, Howard Dean commented that “America’s working families have seen their incomes drop, and their worker protections and health care benefits come under assault.”

Personally, I don’t see why it has taken so long to make this insightful observation. Depending on other countries for something that Americans could not live without is not a good idea in itself. Without a sufficient amount of oil, Americans lives would change drastically. The average American likely depends on some form of transportation that is dependent on oil for at least two things throughout their day. The most common use I would imagine would be getting to and from work. I can’t imagine what people would do if we ran into a bind again and did not have sufficient amounts of oil. When Katrina happened, there was chaos at the pumps. It seems likely that now that people have witnessed what happens in times like that, things would be even more in turmoil.

News & Record, Greensboro, NC Wire Reports Tuesday, September 5, 2006

It's hot fuel for us, cold cash for Big Oil

The article tells of a man named Lesley “Lucky” Duke. Duke is one of the few Americans that is actually informed of how energy in gasoline works. The idea is that temperature has a great affect on how much energy is present in the gasoline that we are pumping into our vehicles. The government standard agreed upon nearly a century ago claims that fuel will be sold at 60 degrees. Duke decided to test this standard by measuring the temperature of the fuel as he pumped the fuel into his truck’s tank. His thermometer finally reaches a temperature of 93 degrees Fahrenheit. This difference in temperature is costing fuel consumers much more than we would assume. With the increase in temperature, the gasoline expands, therefore giving us less energy per gallon. Some estimates in the difference is getting 392 miles for fuel at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and 400 miles at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The idea is that since fuel pumps are not adjusted to account for expansion of hot fuel, U.S. consumers are spending about $2.3 billion more this year.

Initially when I read the article I was appalled. The more I considered what was taking place I came to the conclusion that I should have assumed something like this was taking place. The sad thing is that most Americans have no clue this is even occurring. At this point with the economy the average person is probably assuming that they are getting gypped. However, I think it is unethical to not make more Americans aware of the standard temperature of gasoline and how it is affecting them.

News & Record, Greensboro, NC Steve Everly Thursday, August 31, 2006

Floida stocks up as storm nears

Residents in Florida were urged to become prepared for tropical storms instead of waiting until they become hurricanes. Tropical Storm Ernesto was the reason for the precautions to be taken. With this awakening, many people seemed to be listening to the advice the gas pumps and grocery stores became packed.
Probably what aided in the awareness to become more prepared was that the storm was due to hit shore on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. We all know that as the anniversary of Katrina neared, more and more specials appeared on television, reminding us of the devastation that occurred and has still not even begun to be fixed. I guess the precautions taken could be considered to help businesses in the areas that were threatened. So in that aspect, fear has positive outcomes. On the other hand, as storms near the area, no one is going out to spend money so businesses are losing money. I guess it all evens out in the end. I do think it’s a positive thing that the world is at this point not jaded when it comes to the possible damage that can occur due to a natural disaster. Many times I think people used to feel that they would be fine and did not need to worry. Nowadays people seem to have a more realistic view of what can happen and who it can affect.

News & Record, Greensboro, NC Doug Cox Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Gas prices drop 20 cents, may go lower

As probably assumed by the title, the article presents the statistics of gas prices for the triad area. It says that within 10 days, gas prices have drop more than 20 cents a gallon. The article further explains that motorists can expect a possible additional drop of 25 cents a gallon in the next year. This prediction is based on the ideal that the economy would not be affected by any weather or international disruptions.

However, motorists must still be weary of where they buy gas. Prices around the triad can vary by more than 30 cents a gallon. The article recommends to consumers to shop around for the cheapest prices to “make the overprices stations pay for trying to increase their margins.”
I personally feel, along with everyone else in the world, that a drop in gas prices was long overdue and it is gladly excepted. Cheaper travel will produce so many benefits. People can drive to see their family without spending a fortune. This will be particularly appreciated during the holidays. I think one of the hardest setbacks for everyone last year during the initial increase was that there was no time to prepare for such an event. Without any forecast for an increase in gas prices, people had no time to cutback on things and begin to reassess their budgets. The drop in gas prices over the next year will hopefully provide great relief to all who suffered so badly last year.

News & Record, Greensboro, NC Donald W. Patterson Saturday, August 19, 2006

A lesson in ghetto economics

Michelle Castile
The article provides a detailed explanation to the ghetto communities as to why there stores have higher prices and lower quality of products and service. The premise that some residents have in the ghetto community is that the reason for this unfair treatment has to do with exploitation or racism by the Jews, Koreans and Arabs running the stores. Sowell begins to explain how this is an incorrect assumption by explaining how economics work. It is fact that stores located in low-income neighborhoods tend to have higher prices. Some reasons for these higher prices are: crime, shoplifting, vandalism and riots. The store owners are forced into spending more money on security and insurance for their stores, while consequently raising their prices.
I fully praise Sowell’s article because not only does it inform the ignorant but it provides possibly ways to improve the situation as well. One of my biggest problems with this situation is that a person voiced their opinion with no previous knowledge on the subject and therefore caused others to agree with them, only exacerbating the current situation. Now that the true reasons have been made available to the ghetto communities, it is possible that either the communities will stop blaming the store owners, do their part to help lower the costs by reducing the crime, or even both. I am aware that this would be considered a long shot for a ghetto community in Harlem for example. However, those that have the knowledge are just as much to blame if they do not share it with the uninformed. This is exactly what Sowell has done and I think it is a small step towards improving at least the false premises that the residents in these communities share.
News & Record, Greensboro, NC Thomas Sowell Thursday, August 31, 2006