tatty bojangles (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
apocalypsos) wrote2005-10-04 08:52 am
apocalypsos) wrote2005-10-04 08:52 am
(no subject)
There ... all signed up for NaNoWriMo. Well, that's one less thing I've got to do. (Except, you know, for the actual writing. ;))
Getting strangled at the gas pump -- Giving up healthy food and doctors because of the stupid gas prices? *sigh* You know, the gas prices are most of the reason my mother keeps trying to get me to get a job at the factory I used to work at that I left mostly because the place was making me physically ill on a regular basis. But, hey, it's only ten miles away, right? *eye roll*
Teacher clings to mother in life and death -- EWWWWWW.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go mail my resume to everybody on the planet. *headdesk*
Getting strangled at the gas pump -- Giving up healthy food and doctors because of the stupid gas prices? *sigh* You know, the gas prices are most of the reason my mother keeps trying to get me to get a job at the factory I used to work at that I left mostly because the place was making me physically ill on a regular basis. But, hey, it's only ten miles away, right? *eye roll*
Teacher clings to mother in life and death -- EWWWWWW.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go mail my resume to everybody on the planet. *headdesk*
no subject
Also, I know that the US has much lower prices than most of the rest of the world, but we also have extensive oil deposits on hand in Texas, Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, the Gulf supplies were badly disrupted by the hurricanes, which partially explains the recent spike.
I'm not trying to denigrate the situation in other parts of the world, but in inflation-adjusted dollars, this is rapidly becoming the worst oil crisis in American history. And it's worsening so quickly (tripled prices in 3 years), that people aren't prepared for it.
Finally, the majority of the population live in areas that require cars or trucks to do anything. Most of the Midwest and Southwest was urbanized after the advent of the car, and the cities are. Not. Built. for pedestrians.
In my town, the closest grocery store is a mile and a half away. The next closest one is 5 miles away. The post office is about 3.5, the closest high school is 4, etc. And I live in a fully developed section of the city, not on the edge.
Also, public transportation in the Midwest and Southwest tends to be shunned and therefore underfunded because the popular perception is that "it's just for poor people". Except for downtown areas, there aren't bus stops every block. You may see them every few miles instead.
Again, I'm not trying to denigrate the situation in Australia, just point out the fact that the US has and is going to contiue to have massive problems adjusting to the increased gas and heating oil prices, not all of which are the fault of the current administration or even the current generation.
no subject
I'm not trying to denigrate your situation either, but the bottom line is - the same thing is happening here. Petrol prices dominate our news stories, there have been industrial strikes, threats of legal action against opportunists. Three weeks ago, our prices literally jumped up 40c a litre overnight.
Finally, the majority of the population live in areas that require cars or trucks to do anything. Most of the Midwest and Southwest was urbanized after the advent of the car, and the cities are. Not. Built. for pedestrians.
Ever been down here? It's exactly same, only toss in a larger urban percentage than you guys. 80% of us live in cities and towns (despite the popular Outback mythology) and our public transport system is a fucking shambles. Basically, we're in the same boat - except right now, even with adjusted prices, we are paying more than you are, with a weaker dollar and far fewer resources. You might be fucked, but we're fucked right alongside you.
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no subject
You teach us well! :)