By OIERHG

April 7, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

RIDE THE BUS OR CARPOOL TO WORK IF YOU CAN’T REORGANIZE YOUR BUDGET

By Lindsey

April 7, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

I wish my paycheck would increase as fast as gas and food do, it is ridiculous!

By Josh

April 7, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

How about blaming the environmental nut jobs who have prevented drilling in Alaska and off the coasts of Florida and California. we have not had a new refinery since the 1970s, for God’s sake. How about suing PETA, Greenpeace and other eco-terrorists, folks? What about Al Gore and his nonsensical mumbo jumbo that all you libs (inclusing the Pulitzer Prize winning editors of AJC) have soundly supported? What about Sen Byah, Sen Baucus and Sen Grassley of the agri-rich states, who have ensured billions of farm subsidies to their agro-consituents, by nailing the American taxpayers in the process. How about this whole bio-fuel and ethanol nonsense? Did anyone check out a recent cover story on Time magazine (I purposely mention Time because that’s a mag that you libs drink Kool Aid out of). Folks, we, as taxpayers (lib and conservative) have allowed aa small but very powerful lobby of greens, politicians and agro-types to screw the rest of us. I hope you progressives, instead of blaming corporations, will, for a change, blame our govts, instead. Plz allow the free mkts to unleash their inherent efficienicies, folks. You mandate anything federally and you’re asking for trouble — like the pinch you feel in your wallets when buying food and gas. Plz wake up all you libs out there and stop blaming Bush and Cheney for the world’s problems, for a change.

By Josh

April 7, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

How about blaming the environmental nut jobs who have prevented drilling in Alaska and off the coasts of Florida and California. we have not had a new refinery since the 1970s, for God’s sake. How about suing PETA, Greenpeace and other eco-terrorists, folks? What about Al Gore and his nonsensical mumbo jumbo that all you libs (inclusing the Pulitzer Prize winning editors of AJC) have soundly supported? What about Sen Byah, Sen Baucus and Sen Grassley of the agri-rich states, who have ensured billions of farm subsidies to their agro-consituents, by nailing the American taxpayers in the process. How about this whole bio-fuel and ethanol nonsense? Did anyone check out a recent cover story on Time magazine (I purposely mention Time because that’s a mag that you libs drink Kool Aid out of). Folks, we, as taxpayers (lib and conservative) have allowed aa small but very powerful lobby of greens, politicians and agro-types to screw the rest of us. I hope you progressives, instead of blaming corporations, will, for a change, blame our govts, instead. Plz allow the free mkts to unleash their inherent efficienicies, folks. You mandate anything federally and you’re asking for trouble — like the pinch you feel in your wallets when buying food and gas. Plz wake up all you libs out there and stop blaming Bush and Cheney for the world’s problems, for a change.

By Josh

April 7, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

How about blaming the environmental nut jobs who have prevented drilling in Alaska and off the coasts of Florida and California. we have not had a new refinery since the 1970s, for God’s sake. How about suing PETA, Greenpeace and other eco-terrorists, folks? What about Al Gore and his nonsensical mumbo jumbo that all you libs (inclusing the Pulitzer Prize winning editors of AJC) have soundly supported? What about Sen Byah, Sen Baucus and Sen Grassley of the agri-rich states, who have ensured billions of farm subsidies to their agro-consituents, by nailing the American taxpayers in the process. How about this whole bio-fuel and ethanol nonsense? Did anyone check out a recent cover story on Time magazine (I purposely mention Time because that’s a mag that you libs drink Kool Aid out of). Folks, we, as taxpayers (lib and conservative) have allowed aa small but very powerful lobby of greens, politicians and agro-types to screw the rest of us. I hope you progressives, instead of blaming corporations, will, for a change, blame our govts, instead. Plz allow the free mkts to unleash their inherent efficienicies, folks. You mandate anything federally and you’re asking for trouble — like the pinch you feel in your wallets when buying food and gas. Plz wake up all you libs out there and stop blaming Bush and Cheney for the world’s problems, for a change.

By ralph

April 7, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

well here we are, people of the fatest state in the fatest country -guess these high food and fuel prices will force many onto a diet. thank opec for your future improved health.

By Dan

April 7, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

OIERHG, You are a genius. In all seriousness what we are trapped in is a cycle due to the rise in energy costs and the drop in the value of the dollar. As long as those two variables are present the cost of living is going to keep increasing.

By spider

April 7, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

i drive to the train station and catch the train. these gas prices are ridiculous. it makes me mad cause simple 101 econ teaches you when demand is down (which it is) prices come down and that is just not happening,i think opec (the mononpoly) needs to be disolved.

By Debbie

April 7, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Food going up 4%, gas going up 4%, my paycheck just went up 1.5% for the year. It’s almost to the point where it’s cheaper to stay home and get on welfare. At least I could afford food and medicine then. Now it’s either or.

By SickandTiredofTheCrap

April 7, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Why can’t America do like Brazil and use ethynol, oh I forgot, there is no money to be made by the greedy politicians in America. Brazil’s Government stated they don’t care how much oil prices rise, it doesn’t effect them. So America is suppose to be the greatest Country in the world, by whose choice? Ask the average American & that will only be a fantasy. The government can do something to get the citizens out of this ridiculous gas gauging, but they don’t want to. They would rather spend more money on sending citizens to prison for drugs then getting to the root of the problem. No demand, no supply. It doesn’t take a Rocket Scientist to know that. Sweet Land of Liberty? : - (

By mark

April 7, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

Thanks, George Bush! I hope all you conservatives are happy — record federal deficits, record high gas prices, food prices going through the roof, the economy and job markets in shambles, rampant GOP-sponsored corruption in Washington and on Wall Street, jobs going overseas at record pace (never to return, by the way), 4000 dead and more than $1 trillion spend on a war-without-end in the Middle East, our world-wide reputation and our Constitution in tatters… my God… I could just go on and on! So this is what the party of family values and fiscal conservativism has done to the country? Anyone who voted for George Bush a second time should be ashamed (the first time is forgivable — you didn’t know just how stupid and evil he was then). This man and his henchmen have done more to harm America and working-class Americans and done more harm to American families than any president in history. Bring on the Democrats and bring on the war crimes trials for Bush and his team!

By second job

April 7, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

hey debbie - i hear that government cheese melts real nice on toasted bread

By Monique

April 7, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

I spend over $100.00 a week in gas, and about $400.00 a month in groceries to feed a total of four people. I no longer eat out for lunch. I cook daily, even on the weekends. My husband and I share a car to work. We have learned to live within out means, so that we can continue to save on each paycheck.

By sunny

April 7, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

I think if some people can get 500 to 1000 dollars in food stamps a month, then the goverment should give everybody at least 300.00 a month in food stamps until the economy pick back up.

By GeezGuys

April 7, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Demand for oil in the US has nothing to do with the demand worldwide, which has increased. Simple geography or world history 101 teaches you that we’re not the only nation on earth—-Except in the addled view of fat SUV addicted Americans.

By Aldo

April 7, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Well said Mark. Well said.

By fred

April 7, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

here is an economics 101 lesson for most of those having a hard time:

change your personal lifestyle from want to need purchasing. use cash and negotiate better prices (sorry, that should be econ 102).

By InTownGal

April 7, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Contact your representative and tell them you support TheFairTax!!!! Wanna learn more? go to www.fairtax.org The only way to turn things around in this country is to GET INVOLVED in politics, and stop complaining. You put people in office to work for you, which means you can also VOTE THEM OUT!!!!!!!

By WW5

April 7, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

HEY MARK - DON’T JUMP

By GODAWGS

April 7, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Just drop the fairtax. It’s not going to happen. It is a waste of time to support it when you know politicians will not go for it.

By mitch

April 7, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

I’m Putting in a small vegetable garden this year. Nothing big but maybe I can save $200-300 in grocery costs over the course of the summer. I’m making a little more conscious effort to drive less. If I cut 3 gallons gas usage each week that’s $40 a month.

By Joyce

April 7, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

Well, lets not buy any gas for 3 days Friday-Sunday (don’t tell me you can’t do it) Every week for about 2 months and lets see what happens… this has been done before for one day and they have reduced the price of gas what do you think would happen if we did it for 3 days.

By aaron

April 7, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

Ladies and Gentleman, what we are witnessing, and paying for is the direct result of the “Peak Oil” theory, which was first suggested in the late 50 or early 60’s by a oil specialist from Shell(I believe) named Hubbert. He suggested that oil production would peak in the US in the early to mnid 70’s and that worldwide production would peak in the mid 2000’s. The problem with production peaks is multifold. 1) Oil is not renewable, so when production peaks it can never go any higher 2) Demand, when factored in with peak production, will cause a dramtic rise in costs per barrel as more countries require oil to run, expand and maintain their respective economies(US,China, India etc.). With developing countries desperately going after the already peaked production supply (econ 101 suppy vs. demand)and the US maintaining its annual demand increases for oil, we will only see higher prices. Too little supply and too much demand for a non-renewable resource with finite supply.

Basically, there are many more countries and economies seeking oil and not enough to maintain past or even current price levels. The price of oil will only rise as demand will only increase. Very simple really. While many people say we have enough oil to last decades, and its true that there is, the demand for the dwindling resource will cause the price to continue to rise. There is nothing we can do about it. Unless we were to secure a supply from an oil rich country through relationships or invasion, the US will suffer greatly. The US economy cannot compete, without great stress on its citizens, with the billions of other consumers trying to buy the same diminishing resource. Everything in our economy is based on oil. Food needs to be grown(tractors use fuel) and it needs to get to the store(trucks use fuel) and we need to go buy it(drive to the store). Now for a moment, follow the steps on how all the goods we buy get to us. You will find it impossible to find something that does not use fuel at some point between production and delivery. Hence the rise in costs accross the board.

At the end of the day, the only thing we can do is conserve what we have and the country needs to immediately find another source of energy. We can get our oil from Iraq, bypassing the free market, if things get really tough as I believe was the reason we went into Iraq initially. Smart move for a counrty on the verge of a major energy crisis. Regardless of my little theory, please do the research on Peak Oil and you will get the answers to why prices are where they are and what to expect in the future. Stock up at 3.40 a gallon. 2 years from now, we’ll wish these days were back. We will never see gas below 3 bucks a gallon again and 4 will be the norm next year. 5 the next an so on. I only ask that you sresearch for yourself and tell who you can your findings. We will find an alternative and that will save our butts. It’s just going to take a while. A long hard difficult while.

By CBL

April 7, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Take the train to work and save not only gas money, but insurance money based on miles driven and on maintenance costs. Shop at the farmers markets; the raw ingredients there you can get at far cheaper prices than at grocery stores. The meats and produce selections are typically fresher and more diverse too. Also, thank your friendly politicians for subsidizing the production of ethanol, which has resulted in more farmland being used for ethanol production rather than food production. Ergo, corn prices are up, which drives up the prices of corn-based products directly and indirectly increases costs of meat, wheat, soybeans, etc.

Just use less.

By Terry

April 7, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

The post by Mark at 1:26pm is absolute perfection. I can’t wait for November so I can walk into my polling booth, vote straight Democrat and be out in under a minute. Oh wait…I did that eight years ago, as did the MAJORITY of Americans who voted for Al Gore for president, but Howdy Doody used the loophole created by the electoral college to steal the election from…I repeat…the MAJORITY of American voters. And how many of you fools voted for him a second time?? The man has no honor. If he did, he would have bowed to the will of the MAJORITY of Americans in 2000 and stepped aside. This empty-headed buffoon and his money-grubbing henchmen won’t be satisfied until everyone earning less than a million a year is dead. Wake up everyone. VOTE DEMOCRAT!

By john

April 7, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

CBL, you forgot that this is Atlanta. The train doesn’t go anywhere. Many of us don’t have the luxury of having a job/home near a rail line.

By MV7

April 7, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this

I blame BUSH! its all his fault. If the usa wouldnnt have invadeed that country over therr in the middle of the east we would be ok now. Now i have to spend my welfare chek on gas and more food insteads of on lottery tickets and schlitz malt liquor. All my baby mommas want mo cash too cause they dont gets enough wick.

By potato

April 7, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

ok cbl, now i’m worried.how high will the cost of a giant tub of movie popcorn covered with fake butter oil rise!!

By Blake

April 7, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

With Pinky and the Brain(less)in Washington for eight years what did you really expect? November can’t get here fast enough. This duo will be in the history books as the worst ever!

By Spanky

April 7, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

Without fuel they were nothing. They built a house of straw. The thundering machines sputtered and stopped. Their leaders talked and talked and talked. But nothing could stem the avalanche. Their world crumbled. The cities exploded. A whirlwind of looting, a firestorm of fear. Men began to feed on men.

On the roads it was a white line nightmare. Only those mobile enough to scavenge, brutal enough to pillage would survive. The gangs took over the highways, ready to wage war for a tank of juice. And in this maelstrom of decay, ordinary men were battered and smashed.

Except for one man armed with an AK-47, and a Honda full of silver.

By Matt

April 7, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

God is sovereign. His perfect WILL will be done if gas is either $3.30 a gallon or 33 cents a gallon. To God be the glory!!

By WW5

April 7, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

AH, MR. BLAKE, YOU ARE FORGETTING THE REIGN OF MR CARTER. 20% INTEREST ON HOME LOANS, 28% INTEREST ON CREDIT CARDS, HIGH GAS PRICES, LONG LINES AT THE PUMPS, ODD/EVEN PURCHASE DAYS. THE LIST OF FOREIGN MISSTEPS IS EVEN LONGER.

By sigh

April 7, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

So many idiots on this blog, so little brains.

By Bush is Mass Destruction

April 7, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

Shut it all you hypocrites who voted for holy Bush twice. If it was a democrat in office you’d be calling for their head right now.

By tim

April 7, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Peak Oil Rules!!! Go Chindia..Yehhh Team!

By steve

April 7, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

This is it, its over! We must elect Barack or its the end! Not! Get a grip people, stop buying 42 inch flat screen TVs, buying hi def DVDs and playstation 3’s and maybe you will have more money to pay for gas and food. Hey Terry buy the way, the electoral college is NOT a loophole. If we had elected Gore 8 years ago gas would be $6 a gallon and we would all be eating grass and drinking soy milk, get a grip you liberal tool. If you vote democrat this year get ready for a 50 cent increase in gas taxes, an increase in income taxes and the establishment of a “carbon tax”

By D

April 7, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

you can thank anyone that has voted Republican for this bad economy and high prices. a vote for the Republican party is a vote for the oil companies and when oil goes up, everything goes up. and if the oil companies wanted to build a new refinery, drill in Alaska or the Gulf, they would do it and no hippie liberal would be able to stop them, just like those hippie liberals weren’t able to stop this stupid war in Iraq. but the oil companies know a good thing when they see it, record profits show that. anybody that was dumb enough to vote for george bush should have to pay $5.00 for a gallon of gas, and if they can’t, well then they must just be living beyond their means. and everybody else that didn’t vote for this idiot should pay the same price that gas was in 2000.

By barney

April 7, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

Bush and his oligarchy in the government are responsible for this mess. Forget economics, put the price of gas on a graph and see how it has gone up since he took office. When he came in it was about $1.60, since then it has gone to $20 or close to it. I thought with the victor goes the spoils in war. It seems to me that when we spend blood and money to fight for someone’s freedom in an “oppressed” land we should have some advantage or gain after the war is won. A goal if you will. We now control the oil in Iraq yet we have to pay more at the pump here in the states and go deeper into recession while their government is basking in a oil rich surplus of close to $100 billion. It makes no sense. What does make sense is that I personally was duped into voting for Texas oilman Bush. He is going to sock it to us real good and line his buddies pocket in OPEC and Exxon before he leaves in January. It is more than a coencedense that that gas is spiking so high give the short time left on his administration. Smash and Grab, that is their motto, they are taking all the money they can and we are powerless.

By vanessa

April 7, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

Well I’ve always cooked at least 4-5 days per week and saving one night a week for me and my kids(2)to eat out.We get pizza for like 5.00 for a large once per week. I love to watch tv shows such as Fixing Dinner, Quick Meals with Robin where you can make 2 meals with one type of meat. I love to shop at Publix, since they always something buy one get one free and I normally stock up so it can last me at least a month of two. Always shop with a list and get store brands. I shop at Walmart and have so much Great Value brands in my cabinet it’s a shame. But it all revolve around GEORG W. BUSH. The gas, the economy, the war-it’s all his fault. So maybe if we get Hilary or Obama in there, we can go back to the way things were before Bush every stepped his butt in office.

By RD

April 7, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

News flash to all you left wing freaks…. We did’nt have these problems until you took control of the House!

By CBL

April 7, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

Seems like there are a lot of posters who can’t wait till January 2009 when they can get their government teets to suckle on again.

By DK

April 7, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

Wow. Some really dumb posts. We have “Terry” who thinks we are a democracy and a whole bunch who does not understand basic economics. I bet this is the same crowd who does not know the difference between a profit and profit margin. You want lower gas prices? It’s simple: reduce the gas tax we pay and increase supply by drilling, new refineries and one national blend! When that is done, price will fall…

By West Cobb Dad

April 7, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Blah, blah, blah… can’t anyone see the forest through the trees? W, if not for beating their liberal wipping boys Gore and Kerry, would make any Dem pround the way he has spent money these past 7 years. Oil companies profits have netted a loss when combined over the past 5 years. Food is up, gas is up, my house is worth nada now, and I am not even going to get a cost of living increase this year (which should be 4-6%) due to my company relys on the new housing market. I haven’t taken the wife out to dinner anywhere the past 2 months unless it has a dollar menu to order off of. I ride the bus (2-4 hour roundtrip) because last year at this time, we spent $180 a month for gas. Now it is close to $400. The wife is on her 3rd job in the past 18 months due to lack of business at the previous two (last hired, first fired). Oatmeal for breakfast and Raman noodles for lunch here at work. Can’t afford anything else due to the economy. And those that think it will get better with an inexperienced Hussein Obama in office, I hope you have savings.

By WakeUpAmerica!

April 7, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

Josh, Aaron & Barney…excellent points! This mess was expedited via the Peak Oil scam, and is accelerated further by the Globalist Elite’s suppression of the oil supply (as was one of the main goals of the Iraq campaign). This allows Big Oil’s profits to skyrocket & makes the American populace more dependent and pliable…all the more easy to control for Big Government. Combine these artificially spiked oil prices with the Globalist Elite’s funding of the Marxist green movement and their endless push of fraudulant “man-made” global warming & a global carbon tax. It’s ALL about destroying the American middle/working class & our sovereign, Constitutional Republic…so the North American Union (NAU/SPP) can be fully implemented. Wake up to the truth folks!

http://www.infowars.com/articles/economy/peakoilglobalist_scam.htm

By Lex Luthor

April 7, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Why not blame this on EU? They have purporsely driven their prices up over $6.00/gal by raising taxes. This is going to have the same effect we’ve recently seen in the housing market.

Person A pays way too much for a house. Neighbor B decides to sell his house for more than A paid, after all its a year later so it must be worth more. Person C then decides to do the same thing. Soon everyone ends up paying inflated prices for their houses.

That’s what is happening here. EU is proving that you can raise the price above $6.00/gal w/o having an adverse effect on demand. Even if we tax less, the people selling the gas (OPEC) know how to adjust the prices to a target.

By Danielle

April 7, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

I think the economy is going through a normal cycle and will recover eventually. In the meantime, I’m saving in the following ways:

*Save on gas and parking fees by taking MARTA to work. My company pays for my MARTA card plus I get a little more exercise and a stress-free commute. This also saves my car some wear and tear.

*No car note: Have had the same car for nine years. While it’s tempting to upgrade, I’m realistic about my expenses and cannot justify a new car I want but don’t necessarily need.

*Called my cable provider to haggle for a lower rate and got it.

*Ditched my home phone and only use the cell.

*Bring lunch and breakfast to work religiously. I cook extra food and either save leftovers for lunch the following day or freeze them for later.

*Raised the deductibles on my car insurance and dropped full coverage (might not be feasible for everyone but it works for me given the value of my car).

*Avoid nickel and dime expenses: Use my bank’s ATMs exclusively to avoid cash access fees; Rarely patronize the vending machines at work; Don’t use valet parking when I can do it myself; Pay bills on time to avoid late fees. (That stuff can really add up!)

*Avoid things that I do not consider “splurge worthy” such as expensive dinners and brunches with the girls (encourage and host movie or martini nights at home with potluck or pizza), expensive trips to the salon for things I can do myself, shopping for a new outfit every payday, excessive pet pampering (I love my pet cat but she was unemployed last time I checked).

*Secured a short-term second job to save up for a vacation and to supplement my savings and emergency fund.

I could go on, but in summary, I live below my means. I save for rainy days and have found ways to cut back. I still splurge on things I want but make accomodations elsewhere so it all balances out.

Sorry for any typos!

By D

April 7, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

you are right, and I correct myself, anybody that voted for bush in 2004 should be paying the most for gas. everyone should be allowed a mistake, but by 2004 we all knew what we had and still people chose to support a group of people that have severely hurt this country. everyone can see who george bush and dick cheney really are, but choosing to ignore that and continuing support for people that have obviously hurt this country is very unpatriotic and no matter how many times you say you’re doing for the children, no matter how many times you wave the flag or tell people you’re a Christian, it won’t change the obvious truth. if we love America we can’t support anyone that we can clearly see would knowingly harm our country. it doesn’t matter if you’re a Republican, a Democrat or an Independent, we all know who george bush is, it’s just that some of us are willing to admit it and some of us would rather support people that harm our country befoer they would admit they made a mistake. and from what I’ve noticed, I don’t think this is the Republican party that most people signed up for.

By Bar None

April 7, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

How about only pressing the ‘Post’ button ONCE?

By rich

April 7, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Hello getting pricey, it’s been overpriced for awhile….Apparently, someone forgot to look around while driving 1.50, 2.25, 2.75 etc…Get the picture. I blame George, now don’t get me wrong I just think he can do more than he is doing…I very disappointed in congress as well. Their problem is that no one wants to give, and then we the american people are having to pay for them being a bunch of JACK ASS representives….I think as Americans we need to stand up and say we’re not going to take this any longer…As long as we buy and pay the prices they are asking, why would they think about reducing prices….Their making money hand over fist…. For what there changing the American people…Well, a wise man once told me that HELL ISN”T HALF FULL… Remember that while your screwing your follow Americans….

By rich

April 7, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Hello getting pricey, it’s been overpriced for awhile….Apparently, someone forgot to look around while driving 1.50, 2.25, 2.75 etc…Get the picture. I blame George, now don’t get me wrong I just think he can do more than he is doing…I very disappointed in congress as well. Their problem is that no one wants to give, and then we the american people are having to pay for them being a bunch of JACK ASS representives….I think as Americans we need to stand up and say we’re not going to take this any longer…As long as we buy and pay the prices they are asking, why would they think about reducing prices….Their making money hand over fist…. For what there changing the American people…Well, a wise man once told me that HELL ISN”T HALF FULL… Remember that while your screwing your follow Americans….

By cool breeze

April 7, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Why put your hopes on ethanol? why are we putting our food in our gas tanks and who thinks that smart? what happens if there’s a drought or locusts come through and eat your crops? then what about ethanol? Stoopid idea! What needs to happen is every new car coming oout of detroit needs to be hybrid or electric. Put all those out of work auto workers back to work and retrain them to make the new type of vehicle.

By rich

April 7, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Hello getting pricey, it’s been overpriced for awhile….Apparently, someone forgot to look around while driving 1.50, 2.25, 2.75 etc…Get the picture. I blame George, now don’t get me wrong I just think he can do more than he is doing…I very disappointed in congress as well. Their problem is that no one wants to give, and then we the american people are having to pay for them being a bunch of JACK ASS representives….I think as Americans we need to stand up and say we’re not going to take this any longer…As long as we buy and pay the prices they are asking, why would they think about reducing prices….Their making money hand over fist…. For what there changing the American people…Well, a wise man once told me that HELL ISN”T HALF FULL… Remember that while your screwing your follow Americans….

By rich

April 7, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this

Hello getting pricey, it’s been overpriced for awhile….Apparently, someone forgot to look around while driving 1.50, 2.25, 2.75 etc…Get the picture. I blame George, now don’t get me wrong I just think he can do more than he is doing…I very disappointed in congress as well. Their problem is that no one wants to give, and then we the american people are having to pay for them being a bunch of JACK ASS representives….I think as Americans we need to stand up and say we’re not going to take this any longer…As long as we buy and pay the prices they are asking, why would they think about reducing prices….Their making money hand over fist…. For what there changing the American people…Well, a wise man once told me that HELL ISN”T HALF FULL… Remember that while your screwing your follow Americans….

By cool breeze

April 7, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

Why put your hopes on ethanol? why are we putting our food in our gas tanks and who thinks that smart? what happens if there’s a drought or locusts come through and eat your crops? then what about ethanol? Stoopid idea! What needs to happen is every new car coming oout of detroit needs to be hybrid or electric. Put all those out of work auto workers back to work and retrain them to make the new type of vehicle.

By Lucille Willoughby

April 7, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

The problems with the price of corn due to increased ethanol production are temporary, as the market & suppliers will adjust within the next couple of years. If anything, this will prove a huge boost to America’s remaining independent farmers. If we had been pursuing a saner energy policy the last couple of decades—you know, since the LAST gas pump price war—there would be no noticable pinch on the food buyer’s pocket book.

By GRTA man

April 7, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

My commute is 98 miles round trip —at say 24 mpg, that’s 4 gallons of gas per day at say $3.25 per gallon, for a total of $13.00. Two trips through the 400 toll = $1.00. Parking at my office complex, a very reasonable $30 per month, or about $1.00 per day. This totals $15.00 per day —$75.00 per week, $300 per month, approximately $3,600.00 per year.

However, I do not drive, pay toll or pay parking —I ride GRTA. I purchase a pack of two 20-ride tickets for $85.00, which come to $2.13 per ride. I take GRTA directly downtown in the mornings and take Marta to North Springs in the afternoon where I board GRTA with my Marta pass. A 20-ride Breeze card load costs $30.00, or $1.50 per ride.

So in all I spend $3.63 per day —$18.15 per week, $72.60 per month, approximately $871.20 per year.

I’m saving over $2,700.00 per year —not to mention the wear and tear I’m saving my vehicle. Plus as an added bonus I do not have to drive in the horrible traffic —or sit in it as GRTA buses are allowed to use the emergency lanes. I breeze through the traffic with my iPod on and my eyes closed.

If you have access to GRTA —by all means take advantage of it!

By Democrat for life

April 7, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

Wow!! Some of you make so really good points and it was interesting reading them. But I agree with the majority, whoever voted for Bush a second time should be shot. We were already in trouble and you decided to re-elect him. WHY?? So that he could sit in the oval office and play with a ball of yarn for yet a second term and do nothing about the problems we are facing. As far as I am concerned, that man wasted 8 years of my time every day I had to listen to one of his “pre-wrote” speeches. His family is very rich in the oil business so he doesn’t give a ratz azz about gas prices rocketing. Get a grip people. Vote democrat in November. Its the only way we have a remote chance of turning things around.

By Lex Luthor

April 7, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Before you complain about the job that Bush has done nominate someone better! Most people voted for Bush because they were picking the lesser of two evils! So before shooting anyone, stop shooting your mouth off w/o the facts.

By TruthBeTold

April 7, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

The fact that many of you are unable to afford gas and/or food is not the fault of any Presidential administration. Your finances and miserable attitude are YOUR problems.

Stop blogging and hit the Jobs section of the AJC…

By lovelyliz

April 7, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Al Gore labeled an eco nut job & global warming the biggest fraud perpetrated on the world?

I don’t think a bigger fraud has been committed than the latest Iraq war

By Democrat for life

April 7, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

The facts?? The fact is, he phucked up his first term so why vote him in a second one.

By lovelyliz

April 7, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

My sister/roommate and I now work at the same facility and split gas costs 50/50. We buy store brands first, always checking for the cheapest items. Errands are planned out in advanced and we group everything that we can. A few weeks ago, we decided to run as many errands on Friday after work. Sure we get home late, but we save on gas and can relax more on the weekends.

By Baxter

April 7, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

If every business or industry that COULD feasibly go to a shorter work week (longer hours, more days off) then we could save some fuel or at least use it doing something besides traveling to work and back.

By MW

April 7, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

It’s quite simple —live within a budget.

Take your household net income per month. Take you household expenditures of necessity per month —food, utilities, transportation and subtract that out.

Of whatever is leftover, earmark a certain dollar amount for your savings account. Whatever is then left can be used for expenditures of want.

Save and make purchases with cash —do not use a credit card unless you are getting no interest purchases of six months or more, and then make a monthly payment on it.

I was able to make it on less than $25K gross per year when I was young and single —now my household income id 4+ times that, but I still live on a budget and definitely still save.

You don’t need everything you want —but you should want everything you need.

By Scott

April 7, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

The ethanol mandate is more than partially responsible for the rise in gas and food prices.

Write your congressman and senator and demand that they repeal this mandate.

By FCM

April 7, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

I am looking for employement since I was caught in the downsize scruch. Other than that I have gone to eating one meal a day, making sure my kids eat 3 meals a day. I spend more money on the phone bill (VZW) and gas now than if I were employed.

However despite it all I keep my chin up and know that there are jobs out there….I am working to find one.

By Darrel

April 7, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

When food & gas get to be too expensive, just thank your ecologists and “green weenies”. Just a few years ago, about three, corn was selling around $1.90-$2.20 a bushel. NOW, thanks to ethanol, gas it up and food is beginning to match the price of gas because you are letting the dxxn dummies take your food and make expensive auto fuel from it. And ethanol is EXPENSIVE to make compared to gasoline! Oh, what’s the use! Because of all the damn tree huggers, we’ll all starve. Serves us right!

By robo

April 7, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this

These latest increases merely reflect the dollar going down the tubes because of fraudulent borrowing/lending in this country. Oil futures are in dollars, so when the dollar tanks, it takes more dollars to buy as much oil.

I know most can’t wrap their minds around that one, and they are the same ones that took out mortages they had no chance of repaying from lenders that had no business making the loan in the first place. Now we pay for the mess.

By Danielle

April 7, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Wise advice,MW!

By the balance

April 7, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

if you were voting for the lesser of two evils, with the exception of Attila the Hun or Ivan the Terrible, George ‘sell out your own countrymen’ Bush would not be the correct choice. and Cobb Dad, you idiot, just because Democrats don’t mindlessly think like they are supposed to according to you, that doesn’t mean that they would spend money and borrow money against our children’s future as republicans have, it will be a long time before anyone from any party can out do the Bush administration for their combination of evil and stupidity.

By GeezGuys

April 7, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

Food with corn syrup in it is mostly overprocessed crap. We eat way too much meat already. Corn is going to much better use in gas tanks, where it’s helping free us from OPEC, than it does sitting around your belt, where it drives up healthcare costs. Stop eating half-pound hamburgers and drinking 44 oz. Cokes. And don’t whine about treehuggers when you’re deprived of them.

Newsflash to the “drill them all, let God sort ‘em out” crowd—-we don’t have as much oil as other countries. Even if we let Exxon drill under the White House if they so please, we still won’t affect the price of oil by any noticeable measure.

By C.R.H.

April 7, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

Farmers can (and have in the past) produce more corn than the US population could use. Many years ago farmers were paid not to produce so much because the price dropped to the point where there was no profit due to the large supply. So ethanol isn’t really the issue…please believe farmers will produce more if the money is there. The problem is the ignorance and unwillingness of Americans to change their habits. Other countries are “foreign oil free”, it can be done here as well. Until then, do what you have to do to cut corners on expenses. Seems like many posters here have some easy to implement ideas.

By TruthBeTold

April 7, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

Amazing…

George W. Bush, according to most of you, is a VERY powerful man. He rules your lives like a puppet, declares War on his own and it just happens, raises the price of oil, lowers the value of a dollar, causes terrorism, natural disasters, ect. Oh, and lets not forget he forced millions of people to buy homes they could not afford. Anything else?

What about that pimple on your @$$ - is that his fault too? No - that would come from you being jobless and sitting at a computer all day blogging…

By Sandy_G

April 7, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

Robo is absolutely correct. Higher fuel prices and in some cases, higher food prices can be directly traced to a lower dollar. The lower dollar is the direct result of our subprime mortgage meltdown and resulting stock market woes.

Our entire financial system was very nearly tanked by the greed of those who made fraudulent mortgages so they could bundle those mortgages and resell them on the open market to investors. This is no different than the Tech stock meltdown or the Junk Bond fiasco of years past. Someone packages garbage and sells it and the buyer goes under when his purchase begins to reek and become rotten.

Every economist worth his salt has been warning the government and the rest of us for the past several years that this was going to happen and noone did anything to investigate it or stop it. Everyone piled on to take credit for our fabulous, booming economy even though it was built on a housing market that was a complete fabrication and a scam. Joe and Jill consumer will now pay for the resulting chaos for several years. Then, a few years from now, someone in a brokerage house will dream up the next new scam to foist on Americans and we will fall for it again.

By steve

April 7, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

I think the AJC staff has snuck into this forum because all i see is “Bush this” and “Bush that”. These are the same people who think Jimmy Carter is a saint and he was responsible for the worst economy this country has had the last 50 years! Don’t people understand that the 90s were a result of Reagan’s economic policies, not Bill Clinton’s. Democrats will tax us into a depression if we give them a chance. If that idiot Obama or the ice queen Hillary get elected then get ready for $6.00/ gallon gas and a carbon tax on top of it. Oh and by the way, the reason we voted for George Bush a 2nd time was because John Kerry was a joke of a candidate and because Bush was the best choice, anyone that voted for Gore or Kerry should be deported.

By JJ

April 7, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

I guess Mr. Bush made the country have negitive savings rate before it all started hitting the fan… And he made you buy that gas hog SUV too? I hate how Bush makes me eat out at expensive resturants on the weekends too….and he made me buy that huge house that i could not afford (even though I did qualify for it)….its all Bushes fault!!!

By the balance

April 7, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

remember the savings and loan crash in the late 80’s, well guess what, the Bush family was involved in that too, coincidence, I think not, Jeb was questioned about his involvement by some committee similar to the one that acted like it was grilling the oil execs this week, and lordy lordy, no charges against him. him and his family just got to take the money and run and now 20 years later, with another Bush, the a very similar situation has occurred. and if Bush wants to act like a tough man and say flippantly that he takes full responsiblity for his actions then he and his supporters need to do what a real man does, accepts the responsibilities of their actions. Bush deserves blame for the things he has done that have hurt this country. and as a tough man he should accept that and do his best to correct it, but that will never happen. and it is unpatriotic to continue to support this guy because he is hurting our country. and if you say you love America then you also should love what America is, and this is a place filled with Americans. and you should care that Americans are hurting financially, it should matter to you if you love America. and not all the people that are hurting financially are hurting because they were stupid, it’s unfair to blame people who aren’t rich just for not being rich, it’s also unpatriotic to give big business and all the skull and bones guys a pass for their culpability in this situatiuon. if you are one of the idiots that think all people who struggle to payt bills each month are living beyond their means, or you’re dumb enough to think trickle down works, you are enabling the people that are hurting this country. you have become one of them, just without all that unearned money, and what’s in it for you? the ones you support laugh at how easy you are to manipulate with things like a little talk about family and kids, lapel pins and religion. that laugh at you more than the ones that oppose them, for they know those people can see them and know what they do, and therefore are a threat, at least they are an enemy worthy of respect.

By tim

April 7, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this

Enjoy spring. I consider work far overated after losing my shirt a couple of years back. It made me realize that being in a non supervisory position, cold beer and few cares are really what they crack up to be. I thought I was a conservative republican and go-getter businessman. Not anymore!

By Aria

April 7, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

CUT COUPONS! I joined a coupon savings club & it is amazing! I’ve cut my grocery bills in half. www.thecuttinedge.org

By Danny

April 7, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Shop at Big Lots, can get former high priced items at a big discount. Also ALDI bread only $1.69 compared to $4 at walmart same with milk. And avoid Target prices always ring up higher than advertised at shelf ALWAYS. Everyone knew ethanol would increase food prices yet the crooks in Washington failed the population again and let the lobbyists palm their greasy fingers.

By FCM

April 7, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

JJ—none of my household issues are Bush’s fault…..we need to make those with money want to invest in American workers!

Mark is right the jobs are going overseas….so what is next? A third world nation here? Not likely, more likely the facist pigs will finally get the gov’t control they want.

People take back our country…if it means tax cuts to the wealthy to get jobs back them lets do it….if it means smaller houses, well my folks did ok raising us in less square feet than most houses today.

Dang I am about to start singing….

“Buddy can you spare a dime….”

By jr1

April 7, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this

wake up every morning crying.. : :

By HeySoose

April 7, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this

I blame our news media. Overhype, night after night of glooom and doom, and then what you get is a self-fulfilling prophesy. So to help the ecomony, I don’t watch the news, especially the local body count programs disguised as local news.

By Mellvin

April 7, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

I’ve gone from eating steak once a week, to beanie weanies two times per week. Also, instead of Starbucks latte 3-4 times per week, I’m getting all my coffee at McDonalds. Instead of eating lunch downtown a few times per week, I’ve started bringing bologna sandwiches every day. If it gets any worse, I’ll start eating Spam.

By cree124

April 7, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

Hey Danielle,

Love your post. Hey can you tell me were you secured a second job?

By FCM

April 7, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

Truth be Told….I have hit every job board I can find…called in my connections, and make more any chance I get.

One staffing place told me plainly…it’s a tight market, if your a Developer or other computer Code Monkey we can get you a job…maybe. Doctors, lawyers, yes we can find something for specializations.

The person with the liberal arts degree….they are having a tough time. There are jobs out there, some pay next to nothing (seriously they pay below the poverty level!!!), the ‘good’ ones have severe compitition.

Who ever said God’s will out was right…it’s not God’s will we go through this (He gave us free choice)…He also expects you to get off your @$$ and look for the opportunity (see me searching the boards, personal connects, etc). However, He has a plan and just as he delivered Isreal form Egypt, He will deliver me from this.

I am glad this topic today, I was feeling down and depressed because no actual hiring manager has seen me yet. However just coming back and reaffirming my belief (even if only to myslef) has given me the energy to face tomorrow.

After all tomorrow is another day—Scarlett

By lovelyliz

April 7, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

Basic political question:

Are you better off now than you were 7.5 years ago?