Florida Man Breaks Down Crying at Gas Pump

[RagAss]

Me ... about an hour ago filling up with regular at $3.05 a gallon. Summer is still 2 months away and I wonder how many middle class families, just holding on right now, will make it through till the Fall.

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[lavenderdiva]

1. I don't think you're the only one..

here, on the local news last night, they reported that Pawn shops were noting an increase in loans for people just trying to fill the tank to get to work! Some of them were pawning family heirlooms--- for gas money. That'll make you cry.

[Ecumenist]

6. Here too, Lavender...

I saw that too.

[lavenderdiva]

11. hey, Ecumenist!

good to see you! :hi:

[Ecumenist]

13. Right back atchya!!!

:hi: :pals:

[Buddyblazon]

2. It's killing us....

the good news is that I'm going on the road for my summer job (concert production). So my mini-van (no kids...I just use it for my other seasonal job) will be sitting most of the summer.

Filling up today...everybody around me was freaking out at the total of their final gas total. Even I released an F-bomb looking at my over $50 tab.

[SammyWinstonJack]

37. But it's not just the price at the pumps, it the cost of everything.

Food costs etc. I went grocery shopping yesterday and was shocked at the price increase from just last week.

[0007]

57. Wait tell next week!

[Ecumenist]

3. Awww, i'm really sorry about that. Damn shame..

This situation is ridiculous. If there was any doubt about the intention of this regime to destroy the missle class, this should clear things up for folks. Somehow, we'll get through it, Ragazz68:pals:

[Roon]

4. I've got a bike, you can ride it if you like eom

[The Straight Story]

17. Sadly, not always a good option

Take my wife as an example, for health reasons riding a bike not a good idea right now.

And me, I work 12 miles away from where I live, not sure how many mph I can get on a bike (and it would be more miles on a bike for me since I could not use freeway) but at 4 mph I would spend 3 hours to get to work.

[LiberalFighter]

25. 4 MPH would be a good walking speed

Should take less than an hour to get to work 12 miles away by bike

[kestrel91316]

26. If you go at a good clip I would think you could go 12 miles in an hour.

I go 3 miles in 20-30 minutes in city stop-and-go traffic.

[The Straight Story]

27. True, but would be carrying:

Laptop, tools, and I sometimes need to transport servers :)

I used to ride a 10 speed all over the place when I was younger, and walked a lot to places. It is ideal (or use a horse...) but not always practical for work (ie, I manage more than one site, and if there is a personell issue I would have to get to the other one quickly). I can do most my work from home, which I think I would prefer over a bike or a car.

[kestrel91316]

35. They make very cool little trailers for bikes, for transporting goods.....

not the kiddie carts, but real cargo trailers.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

5. Well, look at it this way:

Each price rise means that many more people are going to voting for anyone but Repukes.

People are getting it now. Sadly, it took real pain to wake them up.

[Ecumenist]

7. You know, that's the first thing I thought about

when this latest gouging began...

[SofaKingLiberal]

10. True, it doesn't matter how many people this administration kills,

but when their gas bill rises, they wake up.

Sad

[serryjw]

21. The consolidated voting areas

is worrying me. I live in an area with many liberal seniors that will not vote if they have to take a bus. Right now our polling place is in walking distance for most.

[EstimatedProphet]

8. The struggle for survival is back

for a long time, we had things good, and life was just an easy drift along from cloud to cloud. Now we have to struggle to survive again, as nature intended.

Heavily laced with :sarcasm:

[serryjw]

12. Wait until the gas prices hit the supermarkets

Then people will REALY awaken. WHY does this shit always effect the ones that can afford it the least? I am REALLY worried over seniors. They are living on the edge right now.

[caledesi]

18. Until?: They already have where I live (Tampa). NT

[serryjw]

19. REALLY?

sorry to hear that.

[dysfunctional press]

33. TAMPA? i thought that florida was where they grow a lot of food-

and the ocean's pretty close...

a lot of us up north have to get EVERYTHING trucked in from far away.

[FlaGranny]

59. Florida used to grow a lot of food. Now in Florida

when you go to the supermarket, most everything is grown in Mexico or South America. Nowdays, Florida grows condos and population on old farm land. If you buy your fish in the supermarket, it also comes from everywhere but Florida. There are very few commercial fishermen in Florida, and most of them supply the restaurant trade. Sometimes you can buy some fish off a boat and sometimes in a local fish market.

[dysfunctional press]

32. people will have to change what/how they eat.

more locally grown produce, less processed food...there are alternatives.

i buy my produce at a smaller local produce place instead of the supermarkets- it may not be as pretty- but it's just as tatsy, just as nutritious, and lots cheaper.

[serryjw]

38. I agree

but not everyone has that luxury

[dysfunctional press]

41. that's just it- it's not going to be a luxury...

it's going to be a necessity.

[FlaGranny]

61. It IS a luxury in a city. Not many local farms in a city.

As many millions of people live in cities, a local farmer's market would a rare animal.

[dysfunctional press]

66. i live in the heart of chicago-

there are LOTS of small produce stores in the city...
they buy their produce at the same markets/suppliers as the regular supermarkets- but they buy the stuff that's not as "pretty"- at a big discount that they pass on to their customers..

[caledesi]

42. QA is right. Buying from local "stands" etc is the way to go...

otherwise, the cost of food is getting more expensive.

[serryjw]

45. My question is

How many states have organic growers?

[caledesi]

47. Don't know ...sorry. NT

[dysfunctional press]

49. all of them, i would guess.

but i don't do organic- i like to save money.

[no name no slogan]

63. But even at the farmers markets, lots of the food isn't local

there's a lot of non-local food sold at farmers markets, which the sellers buy from the same distributors as the supermarkets.

It is very difficult to eat local in this day and age, especially if you live in a climate with short growing seasons.

[dysfunctional press]

67. thyey may buy it from the same distributors as supermarkets-

but they usually buy the stuff that's not as "pretty", or the stuff that's not as ordinary/popular/well-known to the general public- and they usually do so at a discount that they can pass on to customers.

[bullimiami]

9. guess what. republicans, especially bushco fucking suck.

they talk and talk and talk all kind of bullshit and steal your wallet while gladhanding you.


god damn i hate these bastards. maybe now that everyone is feeling it directly it will be enough. finally.

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. There must be signs all around.

One of the girls that was suppose to come to our practice called at the last minute for a ride because she ran out of gas. Her father now asks if I can drive her to the practice if she can at least get to my house.

[theophilus]

15. We're right there with ya' buddy! All of us middle and lower

class folks are suffering in the same leaky boat. We need to all be vigilant and careful. Someone has already suggested locking gas caps in another thread. Good idea. The temptation will be too great for some. Desperation will set in as the prices go up and up.

People are going to be tetchy. This will start to show in an upsurge in crime during the summer. There will begin to be some protests. Signs and bumper stickers will pop up. The folks will first vent their anger at the "oil companies" but, hopefully, they will see that the Big Oil guys running our country are in it up to their adam's apples.

Unfortunately, many thousands will suffer. The poor always are hit by things like this. It is, nonetheless, an ill wind that blows nobody any good. (I don't mean the billions that will be made by those same Big Oil guys). I mean there will be changes made. If the Dems can climb out of the Corporate pouch and get on their own two feet then maybe the U.S. can bounce back. It will be an uphill battle.

[Imagevision]

16. somethings gotta give -- something will...

[AuntiBush]

24. Hope you're right, Imagevision.

People are so feeling weary, overloaded from scandal after scandal and in between living w/pensions eroded, fears their social security will be gone because he won't keep his hands out of the treasury. Know very intelligent folks w/a lot of economic fears, too. Highways now congested in stop and go modes for hours on end just to get home from work will be more overloaded now.

What did we do to deserve such a wicked leadership? Wish they'd take what they came for and just leave us the heck alone. Its like their out to completely destroy us, and enjoying the ride.

[Imagevision]

43. unfortunately November can't come fast enough cuz that's what it's going

to take ~ new hearings/investigations will then render Bush lame~duck~boy, Rove will be history for failing the GOP but at least it's a new beginning perhaps Rumfeld would be gone by then if Bush doesn't reconsider his "he's doing just fine" act.
The only solution is taking away power from the decider...

[dysfunctional press]

30. things don't have to "give"...they have to CHANGE.

and sadly, what HAS to change is people's lifestyles- we're killing the planet, and in turn- ourselves.

maybe this will be the impetus for better things.

[cynatnite]

20. Today when I took my daughter to work, there was a guy...

on the side of the road. He had ran out of gas and had his mother with him. They borrowed my cell phone to call someone to come help.

I think we'll be hearing a lot more stories like these.

[DearAbby]

22. The mantra my Mother left me with

growing up, she lived through the depression. "Use it up, wear it out make do or do without."

I have learned a lot from my mother, like how to make do with what you have. Make your trips in the car count. I know most of you are. Believe me, I feel your frustration too.

Not rich here and this is hitting us hard, thankfully it is an empty nest here, the kids are grown, just Mr. DearAbby and me. But we are being pinched hard too.

I feel badly reading these stories, pawning family heirlooms for a tank of gas, disgusting. A friend of mine this week told me, they are paying more in Europe and we should be happy to have had the cheap gas for as long as we had...
Mom had to deal with gas rations in WWII. But at least everyone had to as well. Everyone made the sacrifice. I see CEOs making 4.8 million dollar pensions. OBSCENE!

How can I not feel this is greed, price gouging? Someone explain this too me?


I guess they need to find a way to distinguish from the haves and have nots, the have nots will be the ones walking to work and home.

[Hardrada]

48. The Have mores

will be hanging from the lamp posts. Or trees.

[area51]

50. They may be paying more in Europe for gas...

But they have a good mass transit system, have universal healthcare, have a social "safety net" when they lose their job, & their countries are smaller than the U.S. (less distance to travel to a job) so it doesn't affect them as much. Here, you can be denied a job (what few jobs there are available) if you don't have your own car.

[marions ghost]

53. yes it's my understanding that in Europe

they arent paying so much for other things, so they can afford higher transportation costs. Also European cities are set up for walking and mass transit.

[Neil Lisst]

23. think of what this will do to tourism, by car and at lakes.

[davidthegnome]

28. Stay positive, my friend

The only advice I can give is to be as optimistic as you can. Eventually, something is gonna give, something is going to change. People are waking up... wait until November, we'll show those bastards who has the people's best interests at heart. I would also suggest a book, for anyone here interested in alternative energy. It's titled: "From the frying pan to the fuel tank". It's about a new source of fuel, vegetable oil, and it's very inspiring and interesting. It has to be run on a diesel vehicle, but this man has driven his diesel van 25,000 miles on vegetable oil that he himself produced. Pretty interesting, very inspiring.

[CornField]

34. It help can our weekend camping trip

Dammit... we love to get away and camp. I guess, this summer, we'll be doing so much closer to home (probably where cell phones still work too - UGH!).

[Longhorn]

29. I'm riding my bike to school this summer.

It's about 25 miles round trip if I ride on the highway part of the way but it will be good exercise and save some money. :shrug:

[RagingInMiami]

31. What city you live in?

[RagAss]

68. Jacksonville

[CornField]

36. My six-year-old daughter must have heard Mr. & I discussing gas prices

She informed me tonight that she would ride bikes with me to go to school & that she and I could start walking more places. I was really touched since this was from my 'diva' daughter who normally wants to be held in the lap of luxury.

And, since she's game for it, I think I'll take her up on riding the bikes to school. A lock for her bike while she's in class will be less than a gallon of gas -- and we could both use the added exercise.

My husband, who has a 40 mile (each way) commute to work, has started only putting in 10 gallons of fuel at a time. He doesn't even look at the price anymore or how fast the numbers turn... just gets his 10 gallons and moves on. He said that is the only way he can keep from stressing out about the added expense.

[nytemare]

39. I'm sure it will drop around October.

Timely, right before the elections.

[Imagevision]

44. drop around October? - would you drop the prices in October?

it would be too obvious and work against them, people aren't as stupid as Rove thinks.

[lildreamer316]

52. Yes they are

It worked last time;I hate to say. I wish it were not so.

[TheFarseer]

55. It naturally goes down in winter

end of 'driving season' whatever the f*ck that means! It wouldn't look that unusual.

[nytemare]

58. Did they drop in October '04?

I think they did, but I'm not sure.

I still gander they will drop.

:shrug:

[JVS]

70. Yeah, they're chaging extra now so they can put it to $1.20 the month...

before election day

[seabeyond]

40. we have to raise prices at work to cover this cost.... not going

to just come out of our pocket to fill our own tank

[noahmijo]

46. Listen your problems aren't important what IS important is this

The queers can't get married and abortion will be illegal....hopefully soon.

Now then what you should be focusing on is the brutal war on the heroic Christians and their president being waged by the liberal media THAT is where your focus should be so screw your problems okay?



On a serious note I finally landed a good job after looking for over a year and a half after graduating with a degree in MIS.

I am just starting a life with my girlfriend and I drive a car that gets around 35mpg highway.

I take the bus to work but I have to lend the car to my car because she can't afford one yet (no job and this is her last year in college-she wants to be an elementary school teacher)

every week for me I have to pump in $25-30 and everytime I notice some flat earther with a stupid fucking "I love Jesus and if you don't burn in hell" type sticker or some shit on his bigass SUV I laugh in his face and I ask if being suckered by a fucking snake oil salesman was worth the kidney he's gonna have to sell to fill his tank for the next couple of weeks.

I'm not gonna cry I want to fight these bastards till they disappear THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THIS

[mdmc]

51. they are responsible for all of this

bush AND congress. If your elected, and you are not Ted Kennedy, if you are not a member of the black or progressive caucus, then you are part of the problem.

[hexola]

54. I havent bought weed for a month...

Side effect - I've just about stopped smoking weed...and its hurting the dealers big time...dicks get cut.

Not a big deal - far from the worst effect...but an odd side effect.

[JVS]

69. Now that's a tragedy!

[marions ghost]

56. I have noticed a strange phenom

I live in a "transitional" area close to a town, but not really within walking distance. Lately (last year or so) I have noticed all these "side of the road" walkers that never used to be there. I'm not sure they're doing it for their health either. It's kind of dangerous as some of them walk in the road and you can round a curve and nearly hit a pedestrian or cyclist anytime. There are no wide shoulders for them, much less bike lanes. If we HAD bike lanes and mass transit, people WOULD use them. We have been denied these because of the way our communities have developed in the era of cheap gas, in slavery to the auto industry, and the promotion of media myths such as --people "won't use" transportation alternatives...

I think some of us can adapt for awhile, limit use of vehicles, get rides with others, don't do frivolous driving, drive slower, etc. But in the end there's only so much you can voluntarily do, in a society that squeezes it's citizens to the bone and has refused to face transportation issues (which were obvious 25-30 years ago). There's no excusing this. Our leaders --local, state, national-- have let this ship run straight into the pier like they have done with Global Warming.

So has anyone outside of New York (where people always walk as much as possible) noticed this phenomenon of people taking to the streets and roads and WALKING places?

[Robbien]

65. Yes, I've noticed it also

In my Chicago north suburban suburb there is this small grocery store "Happy Foods". Lately every time I go by this place there are two or three people carrying Happy Food bags walking down the street instead of driving home.

Also at the library my bike is the only bicycle in the rack, but lately there are a couple more bikes there every time I come.

Also noticed that the streets aren't as congested with traffic as much during the day. Sure there is still a lot of traffic, but it seems not to be as heavy as it usually is.

So that is good.

[AlCzervik]

60. that was me yesterday--$3.15 a gallon, no tears but a loud "WTF????!!!!!"

the other 3 people filling up joined me in a huge bitch fest. $41 to fill up my honda.

[lovuian]

62. My friend yesterday encountered a group of people looking at

her Prius

She was coming out of Lowes in St.Louis and encountered about 4 Christian Righters... she has Democratic stickers on her Prius byt the way... the group wanted to ask her about her Prius...

She bought a Honda Hybrid when they first came out too...

She loves them...
She called me yesterday and she said it was the first time she kinda got scared and worried... the people were all complaining to her that can't get the car for months waiting list and all


They are ANGRY... and HURTING... and I remember in 2000 when Gore wanted to wake America up about Global warming... my next car will be a hybrid or a flex car...

what a different world we would have had if Gore would have been President...

Supreme Court Congress should be all imprisoned what they did to America that day ...even Clinton has some soul searching
The poor Gore didn't even have a chance with traitor Liberman at his side... so ya let the Christian righters get a good lesson here...

[cantstandbush]

64. I am waiting to be one of the first to buy the cars coming from China.

They are supposed to be tops in quality and mileage. 2007, I think.

[Rainscents]

71. When the hell is truckers going on strike???

I'm waiting and this might happen any day!!!