New automobile efficiency bill passes Senate

[tenguzero]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070622/...jnS7skc64b.3QA

All I can say is -- good

I like how:

"Republican senators grumbled that it did virtually nothing to increase production of traditional domestic fuels such as oil and natural gas."

Cry me a river. It's 2007, the world is changing, and the sooner we move towards embracing new sources of energy, the better. I am so sick of lawmakers trying to keep fossil fuel dependence at the forefront. I'm glad it does virtually nothing to increase domestic production of fuels like oil and gas, because to me, working to increase production of these energy sources is pretty much the equivalent of sticking our heads in the sand. Hell, as i understand it, it's not obtaining these resources that's the major problem, it's increasing the ability to refine what we actually have. And (please correct me if I'm wrong here) but isn't increasing the efficiency of fuel-consuming devices the same thing as just pumping out MORE fuel? The way I see it, either scenario (boosting output or increasing efficiency) obviously won't happen over night, and only one of these choices leaves us with the additional benefit of knowing we could potentially have more fossil fuel supplies in reserve to tap if we absolutely needed to.

This country has been so content to just sit on its ass and let everyone else do the innovation in so many cutting edge fields for DECADES now, and it's due in large part to politicians that are either unready or unwilling to advance the front in alternative energy pursuits. And personally, I would have liked to see the increased tax on the oil companies pass as well. Do they have the right to make a profit like every other free market entity? Sure. But it's not like the consumers actually have a CHOICE -- this isn't "people prefer to shop at Wal-Mart over the competitors for xxx reason" -- last time I checked, my car will only run on one product, and it just so happens that those entities responsible for that product have been making record profits year after year. I would like to see something shaved off of that to go toward programs that may benefit the consumers that have helped make these companies so profitable.

[2strokebloke]

It's true. We've lost the "can do" spirit. We're no longer up to the challenge. The government, corporations, and most society of today is of the "let somebody else fix it later" mindset...

[Gohan Ryu]

Meh - California has been pushing automakers for higher fuel economy standards for at least a decade and the flamers in this forum kept saying intelligent things like "California suxs" and "I hope the earthquake hits and California falls into the ocean"...it's too bad nobody else had enough guts and foresight to address this until the problem has gotten out of hand...$3.40 per gallon sucks.

[TexasF355F1]

For how beautiful California is, that state sucks.

[blindside.AMG]

Originally Posted by TexasF355F1

For how beautiful California is, that state sucks.

I blame all the Mexicans for that!!

[TexasF355F1]

Originally Posted by blindside.AMG

I blame all the Mexicans for that!!

[ericn1300]

More Burritos=more gas. Sounds like a plan to me.

Back in the seventies when we had to wait in lines to buy gas, and were only allowed to buy on odd or even days according to the last digit on your liesence plate I had a Ford Pinto that would go almost 40mpg. Now 30 years later the best mileage I get out of any car in my fleet is 32mpg.

The high prices apparently aren't enough to stimulate intrest in high mileage vehicles, but just wait, the day will come when there are lines and restrictions again.

[YogsVR4]

I'm never a fan of government mandates. More ofthen then not, it just leads to a larger drain on the taxpayer for little to no actual gain. Let the market (people) decide what they want.

[Muscletang]

Originally Posted by TexasF355F1

For how beautiful California is, that state sucks.

Well the aging hippie liberal douches don't help either.



I don't know though blindside, you work on Mercedes "ohhh look at me I'm so awesome-o better than you" and you also live in 'Hollywood' so how do I know you're not adding to the problem? But then I can't help but think you're not, and you're just like the rest of us, just like me. And then I think, hey, what's for lunch?




Anyway, the bill sounds like a good idea but there is that one problem. The oil companies do have the money. Whatever new idea comes out, remember the engine that got close to 200 mpg, gets bought up by them. I know they won't go quietly into the night.

[blindside.AMG]

Originally Posted by Muscletang

Well the aging hippie liberal douches don't help either.



I don't know though blindside, you work on Mercedes "ohhh look at me I'm so awesome-o better than you" and you also live in 'Hollywood' so how do I know you're not adding to the problem? But then I can't help but think you're not, and you're just like the rest of us, just like me. And then I think, hey, what's for lunch?

Which problem are you referring to?

[Muscletang]

Originally Posted by blindside.AMG

Which problem are you referring to?

It was a joke. You're not a problem.

[blindside.AMG]

Originally Posted by Muscletang

It was a joke. You're not a problem.

Ah, gotcha. For a minute there I thought I was gonna have to throw down with The Muscletang before college football season started.

[Muscletang]

Originally Posted by blindside.AMG

Ah, gotcha. For a minute there I thought I was gonna have to throw down with The Muscletang before college football season started.

Nah we're cool for now and can be friends. During football season though you are my mortal enemy for being a fan of that team whose name I can't mention. Once it's over though we can go back to being friends.

[blindside.AMG]

Originally Posted by Muscletang

Nah we're cool for now and can be friends. During football season though you are my mortal enemy for being a fan of that team whose name I can't mention. Once it's over though we can go back to being friends.

I think he's pointing at you!!!