how does the government think that people (lower middle class and down), he real working force of america), can afford $3.00 per gallon when the average commute to work is 60mins.  not to mention the expenses of just living or providing for the family.  then rent, car payment, insurance, daycare, groceries, daily expenses, tolls, lunch, phone bills, auto maintenance...etc...!  what the heck is goin on here
127347
The environmentalists and congress are to be blamed. The environmentalists won't let us drill offshore, every time the oil companies try they take them to court, they fight every effort to drill in ANWAR. The stupid republicans don't have the guts to stand up for it. Then we can't build new refineries because some treehugger is worried about a tree slug or some other worthless animal. When oil prices were low it was to expensive for oil companies to invest in new equipment, now that oil prices are up they are starting to re-invest, but it will take time.\n\nOh one other thing is all these stupid blends in this country that is mandated by the government that really don't do anything. Then forcing the oil companies to waste time on ethanol doesn't help either.\n\nWhile some local stations collude on what they are going to charge. (I have been in a gas station when another station has called to ask what they are charging that day).
165243
LOL, ha ha, funiest joke I heard all day, they know we will pay $3.00 a gallon now, it won't go back. Do I her $4.00
558338
Take a look at leader. He leads by example.\n\nPeople are quick to blame the government because of lack of trust in the government and that programs actually work. This is not a Bush issue; this goes back to Clinton and before. \n\nI agree, people who buy SUVs and complain about the price of gas are morons. Actually, anyone who drives and complains about gas prices are hypocrites. We want lower health care costs but our premiums are so high, mainly because insurance is skyrocketing and the cost of medical care is rising; some say because of legal costs but mainly it's the trickle-down effect from spending on research and advancements in medicine. It costs more to be healthy these days. \n\nPlus we're now conditioned to think that a magic pill or some miraculous surgery will cure us or that by the time that we are old, we'll have a solution to whatever our malady is.  I don't know why that is, but i'm sure that's on people's minds.\n\nActually, I don't know if I would say "stupid" as much as I would say "ignorant".
335796
I must have a car to get to work (we don't have public transportation.) But I bought a car that gets 45 to the gallon and can use biodiesel. You have to do what you can.
420820
They are idiots that fall for good advertising.   They are also too dumb to realize they are paying $80 a gallon for a cup of coffee.  (Do the math: 8ozs/cup =16cups/gallon x $5each = $80 per gallon.)\n\nRemember this a nation that re-elected George Bush Jr.
136511
It is not fair.  There are alot of people who are able to work, but chooses not to, because it will cut into their free stuff.  They live better than we do.  My boyfriend HAD this friend, who came over to our house(I totally despised him)and wanted us to go to the store with him and us his link card to get groceries and give him cash, because he had no money to buy beer or cigarettes.  I went off on him and told him "You make me sick". Here we go off to work everyday and he could too, but he would rather drive around and get drunk everyday and we are paying him to do that.  I can not stand people like that.\n\nI would like to add:  I do not have a problem with some people who are on food stamps that are really trying to make ends meet.  I understand there are dead beat dads or moms that don't want to help with the expenses.  There are people that do need the help.  I just don't think its right when people are not even making an effort and have no plans to do so.
77415
how much is your free time worth to you?  that's an extra 25-30 minutes a day, for about an extra $20 a day.  \nAlso, how much extra will commuting cost you, in terms of gas and wear and tear on your car?
68095
.445 per mile is the federal guideline.  It was increased in response to the increase in fuel prices.  You may want to try to collaborate with a local gas station and see if you can get gift cards for gas at a slightly lower rate.  For example, we work with Shell and they sell us a $15.00 card for $11.50 each.  When employees submit an expense report they are required to "bank" their milage in increments of $15.00 (15, 30, 45, etc.). It is not much of a savings, however it IS a savings:)
433874
Republicans have forgotten about "bread and butter" issues that matter to everyone.\n\nExample:  I spend 45 minutes driving 3 miles to the train station because Republicans can't pass a Transportation Bill in Virginia.  They didn't build shoulders or sidewalks to the train station.  So I'm stuck.\n\nI'm paying $400 a month for health insurance, and I have to change doctors every year because UHC keeps screwing with the billing process so my doctors won't carry them.\n\nHalf my paycheck goes to the mortgage on my 3br home, and they're talking about "slowing new home starts" because it's cheaper than building schools.\n\nMy kids sit in trailers at school because the local republican supervisor said "it's only for one year."  (We're going on 5.)\n\nWhat does it matter to me if my neighbors are two men living together if I can't get home in time for dinner because I'm working longer hours to pay my bills and sitting in traffic at $3.00 a gallon for gas while Exxon posts record profits?
127586
A\nI currently don't own a car, but when I do, I plan on owning a hybrid.  I project that the cost of gas will continue to rise and once it peaks at 4 dollars it'll never drop to below 3 again.  In this day and age, it is best to buy a hybrid (plus there are tax benefits for owning a hybrid as well).\n\nB\nIn terms of using public transportation, If living in rural US it is impossible to rely solely on public transportation.  The set up of US cities prevents that.  TO rely on public transportation also cuts on city to city commuting.\n\nC\nCommuting to work is a fantastic idea, and only using a car on the weekends is great, but that is assuming that the family consists of either 1 or 2 persons and no child.  Also that grocery stores are within walking distance (or weekday meals can be planned during the weekend).\n\nI would own a vehicle, but I would buy a vehicle with intent to use it minimal and utilize public transportation.  I think you have asked so really good questions and rise really good ideas.  If there isn't a public transportation system in your area, you can always attempt to start one up.  Check out the local government (ie city council, mayor, etc)  I think location plays a key role in modes of transportation.  For example, generally cities provide adequate public transportation, while suburban sprawl causes commuting to be an individual event.
180387
It is alarming how misinformed most people are about the Federal income tax and all other state and local taxes.  The "Rich" pay in excess of 80% of federal individual income taxes.  The "Rich" pay close to 40 cents of every dollar they earn in Federal and State income taxes.  If you want to talk "fair," how fair is it for someone to work hard in school and then life and then fork over almost half of what they make to someone else.  The "Rich" also pay more than the majority of all local property taxes.  The "Poor" are eligible for the EITC which gives them back more money than they pay in federal income taxes.  Most "poor" people really resent the "wealthy" not the "rich."  If a "Rich" person stops working, she will no longer be "Rich" and will be eligible for the same EITC that "Poor" people receive.  The "Wealthy" never have to work another day in their lives and if smart, never pay the taxes that the "Rich" do.  I blame the misinformation mostly on CPAs like myself who don't do a very good job at telling our complaining clients to shut up and try working a little smarter.
338270
If the country was being run like it should be, we shouldn't have anyone here in the US living in poverty.  \n\nSadly even the minimum wage is a "poverty wage".  You can work 40 hours a week and work all 52 weeks a year, and you would still be considered living in "poverty".\n\nSo to answer your question:  Yes, the government is wasting our tax dollars and making impractical decisions.\n\nIf they were running the country properly, we wouldn't have to have a need for welfare, or be hated by more people than ever from other countries (war issue).
50711
Won't work unless everybody makes the same amount of money. The person who has a minimum wage job would get screwed, he doesn't have that much taxes taken out to off set the  increase in gas costs.
568223
IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON THE MINIMUM WAGE IS $7.25/ HOUR, ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION.  UNFORTUNATLY WASHINGTON IS ALSO HOME TO SOME OF THE HIGHEST PERSONAL TAXES IN THE NATION.  THE HIGHEST GAS TAXES IN THE NATION TOO.  SO WHAT GOOD DOES IT DO.  YOU COULDN'T LIVE ON THE MINIMUM ANYWAY
305624
We have altered our grocery shopping habits.  The rising cost of fuel has caused the price of groceries to go through the roof.  We don't buy as much meat or fresh fruit & veggies, and we are buying a lot of pre-packaged.  Not as healthy, but more affordable.\n\nWe are not the kind of people who eat out, buy new stuff, party, or really have any excess fat in our budget that can be trimmed.\n\nMy business requires me to drive to my customers, as does my husband's.  We are fortunate to live in a part of the country where gas prices have remained below the national average.
518883
I live in the USA and struggle everyday. Living paycheck to paycheck. Sometimes not eating so the rest of my family can. I have to roll coins to pay for a few gallons of gas in my van so I can get to work to make more small pocket change. Then the govn't takes so much tax out of my check it leaves me barely enought to pay the bills. Then the mailing system (which is operatted by the govn't) is slow and delivers my payments past the due date, then a late fee is applyed to my account. Then I apply for government help and they say I make too much money to get assistance. But I see others around town riding in high priced cars, going to pickup a monthly government check. Those pple live off the taxes that are taken from my check to sit at home jobless and feed their 9 kids without a father. Then I see them pull into the casino and blow their whole Social Security check, which that tax money also gets taken out of my paycheck. I go to the doctor and pay a $25 co-pay just to see the doctor, then pay the remaining balance that my crappy insurance doesn't pick-up (which also gets deducted from my paycheck) . I have to pay another co-pay for any perscriptions that the doc. perscribes. At the same time I see someone with name brand shoes and clothes on tell the nurse that they are on MEDICAID (operated by tax money the govn't takes from my paycheck) Therefore, they pay nothing! It's all free for them.They might have to pay a small $5 fee for medicine. That the rest of their bills is picked up by the government (the taxes taken from my paycheck). It sicken me to see that I am barely able to hang on, but other people take advantage of the government assistance by continuing to be lazy and unresponsible.  Trust me...this is no picnic. Unless your famous, inharitted money, workaholic, or supported by the government....you are living paycheck to paycheck and nothing more.
183683
Here is the delema. The reason that there is so much of a stink is. The illegals are getting offered wages for like, $3 and hour, which is targeted at them to give the employer cheaper workers, just an example. This is below minimum wage, and illegal. An illegal immigrant will take this, and can't complain because they are illegal. Now if the same job was offered at minimum wage. Granted alot of people aren't going to take the job, but there would be more people inclined to take it. No one in there right mind, if they are legal, is going to take a job at $3. So how they are saying that americans won't do those jobs, is inaccurate, because these jobs aren't being offered at legal wages. The American may have little education, but you know what, they are still citizens, and should have atleast a chance at the job, at minimum wage. When they are saying that the wages are low, they don't mean minimum wage low, like Mcdonalds. They mean unsustainably low and illegal. The reason they can live on these low wages is, if there are a bunch working, they all get a small place and use the money together to live there.