Date:         Wed, 12 Feb 2003 06:54:44 -0700
Reply-To:     Bill N <freeholder@STARBAND.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill N <freeholder@STARBAND.NET>
Subject:      Re: Price of gasoline
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I am always amused by discussions regarding the price of gasoline.  People seem to see
conspiracies everywhere, and always want to blame someone specific for any perceived problems,
regardless of whether or not there is any merit to the claim.  In this case, gas prices are
rising in the USA mainly because of the problems in Venezuela.  We don't get any oil from Iraq,
and haven't for years.  Canada doesn't either.

Besides, gas is a bargain.  To obtain it we have to drill extremely expensive wells, fighting
radical environmentalists every step of the way.  Then it has to be processed in very expensive
refineries before it is usable.  With all of that, try to buy a gallon (or liter) of almost
anything else for what you pay for gas.  Gas here in Arizona is currently about $1.60.  Milk is
$3.00.  Bottled water is usually more than gasoline.  So is diet soda, which contains no costly
ingredients and costs almost nothing to make.

I just don't worry about the price of gas.  It goes up and down, but I just roll my Westy up to
the pump, put in the little card, pump, and go on my way.  The price of gas just doesn't make
much difference in the big scheme of things, so I don't waste my time worring about it or my
breath whining about it.

Bill