Re: gas at 1.99, $24 fillup and 30 mpg
I put 24 gallons in my van this morning for $40.00. I sure could get used to paying $1.65 for gasoline. I think I was actually smiling when I pulled out of the gas station!
As for the economy, if energy costs stay at this level, we will probably come to understand that our current problems are much less tied to the subprime loan mess than we are being led to believe. Just think in terms of items that you have purchased in the last 30 days, that you would not have if your energy costs were still at the level they were two months ago. Now project that state of mind five or six months down the road, at a point in which you are feeling much more secure in the stability of the lower prices. Once again, push things forward another six months, when other retail prices either stabilize or actually retreat somewhat, due to lower transportation costs.
This one is sort of like the claim by the auto industry that what is left of the American economy will collapse if they go under. There is an element of truth in the statement, but only in the fact that there will be economic pains to some degree. Like the general economic situation, however, there is much more going on here. For example, one in ten jobs tied directly to the auto industry? Really? I think not. Rather, what we have is a number that was arrived at by industry lobbyists and analysts, who tied every job in every business sector to dollars generated by "Detroit Iron." The legitimacy of those ties is questionable, and the figure totally ignores market shifts that affected businesses will make. It is also foolish to think that a certain amount of the production void will not be filled by foreign manufacturers.
At any rate, at least we can enjoy these prices and hope that they will stay for awhile.
