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An Economy Out of Balance
April 26, 2006
I stopped filling my tank at 30 dollars. Half a tank would be all that I would contribute to big oil on this spring day. I keep thinking the next time I fill up, prices will be lower.
America is now more than a year into three dollar gasoline and three hundred dollar utility bills. We're all looking for places to cut corners, save money, because the cost of energy is claiming a huge percentage of our incomes.
We recently combined all of our cell phones into a family plan that is saving us some money every month. And at the food store, we stop and think, do we really need this?
Last spring, our patio was dotted with flower pots, impatiens were everywhere in the backyard. This year, we cut back to a few geraniums and a pot of Gerber Daisies.
And here's the part that is out of balance. Because we are paying so much for gasoline, natural gas, and electricity, there's not enough money left to buy other things that make for a better life.
If you're a small business that I patronize, I'm sorry you haven't seen me lately. My money went to the power company last winter and now the oil company wants 60 dollars for a fill-up. When the price of a commodity increases by one hundred percent, another part of the family budget is going to suffer.
The numbers will tell you that the economy is humming right along. Wall Street seems happy, especially if you own oil stocks, but eventually somebody is going to pay for this.
When most of the money goes to just one sector of the economy, those sensitive consumer businesses are going to take a hit. I can't buy your product, if I spend it all someplace else.
We had a chance to free the country from our dependence on an oil economy during the first energy crunch in 1973. But now, it's back with a vengeance. This time Americans may be forced find a new balance in the economy.
We certainly cannot depend on the oil companies to lower prices or for the government to somehow broker a cure for the economy. Demand for oil rises and falls on the highways of America.
Somewhere along the line we lost control of our own economy. Only consumers can take it back.
Posted by gary.roedemeier at April 26, 2006 03:12 PM
Comments
You're right Gary. We can't depend on the oil companies to lower the prices, but we can demand that they lower the oil prices by our actions. Taxing of the oil companies by the government will not solve the problem. That small rebate that they're talking about certainly won't help. Besides, that is only political bull to keep us brain-washed. My ideas will work if everyone participates. Take some time to stay at home to do house cleaning and yard work. Take care.
----Bill----
Posted by: Bill Baker at May 2, 2006 10:50 AM
Yes I think you have hit it on the head and people are really going to suffer.
Posted by: Barbara Huber at June 19, 2006 04:05 PM
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