Let's think about this a minute. Ever heard of Supply and Demand? Why is it Washington's (and thereby the rest of our, financially speaking) job to subsidize your God-Given right to drive as much as you want, all alone in your gas-guzzling oversized vehicle? Come on, people. I just keep thinking that if everyone stopped for just a goddamn second and thought about how their choices impacted everyone else, and made one little fucking change every day, it would work out better for everyone. But people are too selfish and stupid to bother. I'm just really in a snit about it this evening. Instead of going "gee, things are getting tough, I'd better change my behavior," we have people going "hey, this isn't fair. Someone ELSE needs to pay for my choices." Americans seem to be in this perpetual state of self-centered adolescence, and it's literally ruining the world.

On a more optimistic note, I like to think that there are lots of smart, caring, motivated people working on these problems, trying to find solutions that are viable and affordable, working to change minds and fund better ways. I'm trying to concentrate right now on what I *do* have control over, what choices I can make and the little ways in which I can influence others. On that note, I did something today a little out of character for me and that I've never done before. I stopped by our local Obama headquarters, got a yard sign, and pledged a couple of hours of volunteer time between now and the IN primary. I have always tended to sit on the fence politically, and define myself more by what I'm against than what I'm for. It feels really good to declare that I'm for something and someone, and to do something about it. It's also pretty exciting that the Indiana primary will actually mean something this time around.

In the meantime, I'll be tuning up my bicycle for my short commute to work (though I'll still need to stop and get my car to pick up the Bug from daycare at this point), and Adam is carpooling as much as possible. I lament the fact that we don't have viable public transport options here, but what are you gonna do. They're trying. I actually did make a decision recently to order something online (to be delivered UPS) and pay the shipping rather than drive 30 miles round trip to look for it.

I actually read something really cool last week about how UPS plans all their routes in right-hand loops; delivery trucks save an astronomical amount on fuel by not spending time idling in left-turn lanes. I thought that was really cool. And smart. They're not whining that the government should subsidize their wasteful left-hand delivery route turns!

End of rant. I feel better now.

Great post. Working for an oil company, I heard two engineers bitching yesterday about their vehicle fuel bills. One guy is spending $1000/month on gas for 3 vehicles (I think in addition to his wife, he pays for his daughter's gas).

What I find is so funny is how the people at work who make fun of me for driving a Prius ask seriously sober questions about the mileage I get now. I told the above guy that the gas prices are affecting me as well. "Hell, I used to pay $18-19 every two weeks, and now I'm up to $21-22 every two weeks."