Stop Whining About Gas Prices?! Helllllllllllllllllll nah! I'm going to keep whining until the automakers start making better fuel efficient cars! Stop Whining About Gas Prices?! Sheesh!

I wouldn't mind it if the money were going to taxes that were paying for things like infrastructure, renewables etc. What bothers me is that the money is going to Exxon, Shell, BP etc., and overseas. But I am driving less and driving slower.

I agree with you totally Gerald. I drive a old VW diesel that got 55mph Imp. right from factory. Brakes last me 300,000Km so regenerative braking doesn't work for me. I modified it a little to get 62mph Imp. I don't see anything on the market that compares. This car is 22 years old. What is Detroit doing for us as far as economical transport. Zero as far as I can see. Bring on the EV's and high mileage beast from China and India.

And this is a good point. We have the lowest gas prices for two reasons:
A) Oil barons trade in the dollar.
B) We tax gas very little.

Because of this, people aren't willing to pay even a small amount extra for more fuel efficient cars and thus the demand for them stays low.

In other countries the taxes are jacked way up on gas, people are much more willing to buy more efficient cars, and thus the demand goes way up.

I'd rather the government get that money and spend it on subsizing health care, fixing our schools, and all the other stuff that needs fixed in the U.S.

I'd like to see the breakdown of actual cost to taxes for all of the listed nations above please.
-Lego

The average tax on gas in the U.S. is 16%. So if you take 16% off a gallon of gas in the U.S. Then subtract that from what another countries US gallon that would ruffly tell you how much tax they are paying. It would be way easier to use liters but thats not the US way. We average about 31% in Canada.

That's because the economies of all the other countries are somewhat better than the U.S. right now, so they do have an advantage somewhere else.

And I agree with Jake3988. Most people will only strive to lead better lifestyles, if they feel they can benefit from it. Making oil fuels cost more will drive people to find that fuel-efficient cars, renewable energies, and mass public transit are a way better solution than what they do now.

Hmmm, I don't remember being able to get petrol for €0.70 per litre in the UK last year, it was rather more than that.

Also, why is it done with 2007 fuel prices and 2006 exchange rates? Not THs fault obviously, but it does seem a little odd.

Its not as if we have a choice. Gas prices are getting steep, but if you really want to transport easier, you just have to deal with the prices and taxes thereunder.

@Gina: " What bothers me is that the money is going to Exxon, Shell, BP etc., and overseas.". Well now. You may or may not realise that most oil actually comes from overseas :). Maybe your political ideas are a bit different from mine, but I'd say that it's only fair to pay for what you're using ... wouldn't you?

Gina hit the nail on the head. Not to mention the prices have been high here in Europe for a long time, and they aren't shooting up by the day.

they need to check what the individual states in the U.S.A. are doing for gas taxes, they add more on top of the federal tax
oh and update the exchange rates used, it's a bit past 2006

at more current exchange rates in my state the tax would be at €0.4, not €0.1, and in California it would be even higher

I'll get something more efficient when I can afford to change vehicles, the taxes and other fees involved in that are more than I can afford right now no matter what gas prices do

The prices in US are right now what they used to be in Europe like 10 years ago, right now in Estonia we pay about 1EUR per litre for gas which would roughly translate to 5$ per gallon. And our price is among some of the cheapest in EU. Only thing that bugs me is the fact that diesel is way more expencive than gasoline, most other countries in EU have it the other way to promote the use of TDI engines that are more efficient. For example in Portugal You could barely find a non-diesel rental, because of the high premium You would pay for gas. Getting 50 MPG with a modern compact diesel is nothing unheard of, so I really hope they will stop punishing people who have chosen diesel over gas where I come from. I wouldn't mind carpooling in a 1.9TDI VW Golf that easily gets 4,5l per 100 km while still having relatively good acceleration.
Anyway, even though it is cruel, I always greet the increased gas prices with a smile as I know it will some day motivate me to build/buy/convert an EV.

I agree with some of the others on here. We're fast consuming the most resources and we're supposed to just suck it up!? KEEP COMPLAINING ABOUT GAS PRICES FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! Refuse to buy gas-guzzling cars! Remain ignorant about how little you're paying in relation to other countries, or at least focus on how American infrastructure sets you apart! DEMAND CHANGE!

This is the most counterproductive article I've seen on here in a long time. For once Americans national tendency to whine is working TOWARDS GOOD CHANGE.

LA: I think you are missing my point. Gas is too cheap, but Americans whine that it is too expensive.

Don't forget that the US government gives the big oil companies a variety of subsidies: reduced royalties paid on oil extracted from US lands, and reduced corporate taxes.
So... US taxpayers ARE actually "paying" more taxes than it appears, it's just that the costs are less obvious.

make more money. then you don't notice a difference in gas prices at all.

Americans are funny, because we complain about how high gas prices are, but we keep buying gas at these elevated prices and buy gas guzzling vehicles. Many economists don't see the price subsiding because there is still plenty of demand at these price levels. So until we slow are consumption of gasoline, and purchase more fuel efficient vehicles, expect higher prices.

If I have a wallet with $100 in it and a guy comes along and mugs me and takes $80 I should just smile and stop whining because I have a wallet with $20 in it.

Let's see, gas prices have tripled. Along with that costs for postage, food, taxes, etc have all gone up as institutions have to charge more for the higher prices all the while wages have remained stagnant. So people who already had problems paying their bills get higher bills but they should all relax because they have it so good. So sayeth some naive, ignorant person who problems doesn't have financial problems therefore assumes everyone else has it so good.

Doug sez:

"If I have a wallet with $100 in it and a guy comes along and mugs me and takes $80 I should just smile and stop whining because I have a wallet with $20 in it."

Your analogy is wrong. It's more like you're living in an expensive hotel and complaining about the rent. But since you've always lived there, you don't know any other way. So you keep paying the high costs and you keep bitching about it.

Has it even occurred to you that you don't have to pay those bandits?

"But I *need* my car to..."

Do you? *I* don't! I don't even *own* a car. And most of my friends don't either. Sort of makes you wonder how we even survive, doesn't it?

Stop whining. Paying for gas is a choice. Just because you painted yourself into a corner doesn't mean you have a right to bitch about your choice. You can either make a change, or you can keep living the way you do. But if you choose the latter, be a man and stop whining.

""But I *need* my car to..."
Do you? *I* don't! I don't even *own* a car. And most of my friends don't either. Sort of makes you wonder how we even survive, doesn't it?
Stop whining. Paying for gas is a choice. Just because you painted yourself into a corner doesn't mean you have a right to bitch about your choice. You can either make a change, or you can keep living the way you do. But if you choose the latter, be a man and stop whining."

Have you ever thought that not everyone on the planet lives in your same circumstances? Naive, condescending people like you are why so many people view environmentalists as elitist snobs.

Anonymous is ABSOUTELY right. NOBODY is forcing America to buy 12mpg suburbans. Even if you don't have the ability to ride a bike to work, there is NO reason you can't drive a hybrid, diesel, electric, or another efficent car. It doesn't take a 6000 pound suburban to move a 170 pound person across town!

Yet no one blinks at eye at buying a can of Diet Coke in a vending machine for a $1.25, or about $11 per gallon. Gas is cheap in the US, but it's not the price that people complain about, it's the comparison of what the price is today and yesterday or last week. Price fluctuations which are extreme are hard to plan for; and it's not like our wages fluctuate to accommodate for it.

The good thing about higher gas prices is that it forces us to look for and produce better alternatives. I predict our reliance on oil for vehicle fuel will go down drastically within 20 years (or about 4 generations of new vehicles).

We've had the Agricultural revolution (my grandfather), the Industrial Revolution (my father) and the Information Revolution (me). We now have significant momentum and a new generation of Americans who will be the Energy Revolution. It's happening.

This discussion keeps raging on all over the place how we are so bad to complain because 'other countries pay more.' I think that's a lame justification. Its really the wrong attitude. Instead let's do what we can to keep ourselves at the absolute bottom of that list!

"Anonymous is ABSOUTELY right. NOBODY is forcing America to buy 12mpg suburbans. Even if you don't have the ability to ride a bike to work, there is NO reason you can't drive a hybrid, diesel, electric, or another efficent car. It doesn't take a 6000 pound suburban to move a 170 pound person across town!"

My car gets 55+ mpg and not everyone drives a Suburban. I don't know where you dragged that out of your ass. The fact that you narrow minded poseurs seem to be forgetting is increases in gas prices affects the entire economy by inflating prices. Even if a person walks everywhere the costs of living are still going to go up.

Where are all these affordable electric cars that are on the market? I didn't realize they were so plentiful. And if you didn't notice diesel still is made from petrol and that hasn't gotten any cheaper.

I will agree the United States doesn't pay as much for
fuel. What about the facts that we have crappy public
transit, and that Americans pay way to much in taxes,
health care, and other costs of living. We also have a Federal Reserve that prints money faster than we can earn it.So don't say we shouldn't complain.

We are forced to use oil, because there is to much
money generated in taxes. Our governments are
to highly influenced by oil lobbies to ever let us have
cheaper energy for transportation.

Some of these statements are not even from people with half a brain!

The point is why the hell should we have to pay these prices? did we have to in the 70's,NO! should we have to in 2008, NO.

I don't really give a damn what you pay for gas in Europe or any where else outside the US thats your problem and if you all wish to cram your ass's into a super duper mini cooper then do it however we do not all wish to travel that way!

I certainly hope that I have not offended anyone here but if I have then so be it cause I really don't care.

Bye Bye

You left out pricing in some other countries of interest:

Venezuela- 17 cents per gallon
Iran- 20 cents per gallon
Iraq- 40 cents per gallon
Saudi Arabia- 82 cents a gallon
Brazil- 85 cents a gallon
China- $1.98 a gallon
Malaysia- $2.10 per gallon
Russia- $2.20 per gallon

About 5 American companies profited $125 billion on gasoline last year. I think it's safe to say they have a stronghold on the market.

The above countries have regulations on gas pricing, and a good percentage of their refined gasoline is processed by Shell, Exxon, and Chevron. The same ones that process it for us for up to a 300% mark up.

I drive 250 miles a day!! Gas was $1.34 a gal. Now 7 years later $3.50 a gal!!! I still make the same pay!!!!!!! Something has to give!!!

Taxes aren't the problem, oil company costs and profits aren't the problem. The problem is with OPEC. The global demand for oil has skyrocketed, and production has held steady. Look at the breakdown of the cost of a gallon of gas in California. First, the cost and profit from the oil company is about 1/5 the cost from various taxes. Second, the cost of crude oil is what's directly affecting the cost of gas. Quit bitching about oil company profits, they haven't changed. Bitch about the real problem, OPEC!

OPEC isn't the problem, either. Read the data, and it's looking more and more as though they simply can't increase production and whatever gains they've made have gone towards their own domestic use. What right do we have to cheap gasoline anyway? We use 25% of the world's oil production, yet produce only about 8%. We're gluttons for oil and assume that the entire world needs to subsidize our wasteful, addictive behavior. Stop whining, stop playing the blame game and start imagining a world where there is less oil than today.

Step 1: Raise the entire countries driving age to 18. How much gas would that save. I know I know I wouldnt have wanted to hear that at that age either. But that stops alot of people from buying gas right there. Parents would have to drive a little more for there kids. but think they would know where they are. and that might save thier life from car accident.

Step 2: They wanna give us money to help the economy why dont they help families purchase a car that is actually fuel effecient. How many people around you are driving cars that barely move burning oil and polutting the atmos. just because they cant afford a car that actually runs to performance.

I think we need to stop looking at how to find more oil and focus more on how to start saving oil in our country itself. The faster we let life go the faster everything will rise. We. are feeling more of an affect because we arent making anymore money. How long do you think it will be before we start hearing of more suicides just because someone was only making 7 dollars an hour and gas prices where 5 and they have to drive 20 miles just to get to that job. and its the only job they could get. i know our economy is messed up. but we actually are gonna need help not just a plan. or an idea. the entire structure of or Price of Living needs altered. not buy 2 dollars because verything else is jumping 5 ..

when the prices go up 20 cents a day i will whine. There is no reason for this. Lets dig in Alaska, or off the gulf like the rest of the world. Gas will be 80 cents a gallon, then! more money into the economy. ANd for those that enjoy giving OPEC all their money, they can! Green gas stations (6.25) a gallon. and ill pay .80 cents! its all relative. YOu work to hard for your money to give it away. Do you think magically gas is more expesnive to get. because it is not. Specualtions and BS frankly are behind this. And the middle east is obscenely rich.

its seriously sad that most of us are just hoping to see it below 3 dollars again.. if it went below 2 dollars again we really wouldnt know what to do.. I guess all we can really do is keep wishing.. and hoping.. becasue theres no way we can live without gas and they know that.. You just gotta hope theres that one person on capital hill thatll just stand up and say. it doesnt need to be like this. It wont be long before we have an ecnomic crash. if things keep progressing this far this fast.

Steve, either you are being facetious or have no idea what you're talking about. By the way, blaming the Middle East is not particularly productive. The price of oil is determined on the open market. All evidence suggests that the M.E. is pumping nearly flat out at current oil prices. By the way, there isn't enough oil on our continent to provide the daily production to meet our demand, yet alone lower the cost of gasoline to $.80/gallon.

Justandidea-- get used to living without gasoline, as that is going to be our future. Wishing is not productive; rearranging the way we live is the only thing we can do.