So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Friday, July 17, 2009

What's Up With Recent Gas Prices ?

By Adrian Fletcher

Gas prices are certainly a topical issue right now. and the number one question is : will gas prices ever go down to the level they used to be a few short months ago? Even if small price cuts are possible, a return to reasonable gas prices doesn't seem probable. Given the potentially bleak outlook for the economy, the price of gas is rapidly leaving the reach of hard-working individuals who are unlikely to see a pay raise in line with the ever-rising cost of everyday goods.

Demand for gasoline will drop as drivers use their cars less. They may develop more economical driving practices or share journeys with workmates or neighbors. Car fuel efficiency needs to increase, and new alternative fuels need to be ready for mass production. As production of new fuels ramp up, supply and demand for gasoline will keep prices stable, albeit high.

With this said, requirements for refining gasoline to make it more clean-burning prevent gas prices from ever falling significantly, and the emission standards set by law continue to become stricter. Oil Refineries will require more capital to expand and do routine maintenance to keep up with demand. You can be sure that oil companies will first point to these reasons for rising fuel prices.

So will the government act to regulate the gas price? In some countries they have tried this but it has proved difficult to implement given the varied political agendas at stake and the vast amount of taxes that are applied to gasoline use. So while the prices of everything in the United States skyrockets due to the cost of fuel it is up to the people to make the difference if they want gas prices to go down.

People will travel less and spend less, hurting our economy even more, and as the cost of food rises, the quality of food people purchase will decrease which will probably result in higher health care and insurance costs. People will also need to start planning their activities better, for example planning all errands on a single day to reduce traveling and fuel consumption.

People need to make sure that their voices are heard and registered with their elected officials at all levels, since they, as taxpayers, are responsible for the officials' salaries. Write, call, and email them whenever you can. Despite big oil companies have a strong lobby with governments, elected officials still have to listen to the voices of their constituents, and that should lead to moves that reduce gas prices.

So will gas prices ever go down to more comfortable levels? Who knows, there are many factors that seem to influence the price, that it seems unlikely that they will all change to bring the price down. However, with your opinion added to the growing numbers of people who want change, our country's leaders may pay attention and take action to put a halt to the out-of-control, upward spiral of gas prices.

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