The Tire-Gauge Solution: No Joke
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1829354,00.htmlA well-written article on a topic that is not getting nearly enough press coverage.
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11 commentsReplies
MisterDarcy said, (66 days ago)
Unfortunately, regardless of the truth, saying a tire gauge can help save you gas is just isnt sexy:
So instead of the Government solving my problems, you're telling me it's my fault that I'm not getting good mileage? What's next? "Stop driving your SUV for commuting to work"? What Obama Arrogance!
See, it's easier to spin with the tire gauge than saying why drilling the US for oil is a silly idea.
And since Obama and McCain both know elections is a popularity contest - not a contest of ideas or policy - I think someone needs to slap an Obama advisor for the tire gauge suggestion.
Go with electric cars powered by nuclear power and renewable sources instead. A lot more interesting than tire gauge. Than again, anything is.
MisterDarcy said, (66 days ago)
Mind you, I'm one of those Republican for Obama, but Obama's team and supporters needs to remember: Election is not about debating policy. Elections are about doing emotional appeals to win votes.
Obama's emotional appeal is "Hope". Not "Sound Policy".
nomi oh my said, (66 days ago)
Basically this is just one expression of a very good policy, that if we, as americans start to understand the concept of preventative maintenance, and start to take care of our things and bodies and stop being a culture of disposable goods, it's one thing that can help the quality of people's lives, and economy, in the long run.
It's been my pet peeve that rarely is something done about a problem until it becomes huge and out of control. It's epidemic in terms of energy, education, health care, and attitude. Then we cover it with a bandaid. A really big, really expensive bandaid.
nomi oh my said, (66 days ago)
At least he's not going on weird emotional tirades and calling his wife a cunt, in public.
soulcamp said, (65 days ago)
I gained back a bit of the respect for Obama that I had lost over the last couple of months. Though his support for dipping into the strategic oil reserve almost negates it. It's almost as bad of an idea as more drilling or cutting the gas tax.
The solution of course, is CONSERVATION. It's the easiest to achieve (no new laws to be written), most cost effective (10-50% reduction with no hidden costs), and fastest to implement (today). And it's permanent.
There's two things I'd really like Obama to add to this. First - DRIVE SLOWER. Eliminating jackrabbit starts & stops and driving 55-65 on the freeway would cut most people's fuel consumption by 10-20%, easy. It's amazing how much fuel is wasted on accelerating quickly so you can get the next stoplight before it turns green. And driving a Prius at 80 - can you get much dimmer?
Second, I'd like him (or someone, anyone) to say - GAS PRICES ARE NEVER GOING BACK DOWN. Get over it, America. You've had a free ride for the last 30 years, but that time has come and gone. Anyone who still dreams of $1.79/gallon is going to find reality pretty harsh when gas hits $5 a gallon.
We need to cut back, not use more. I've increased my fuel economy by over 50% in the last two months by hypermiling, and I can still do better. I'd really like to believe that we're really not that dumb as a country. Unfortunately, I am not finding much hope in that from day-to-day...
soulcamp said, (65 days ago)
@n0mi: I agree. My belief is that America has spent the last 35 years waving a giant foam finger that reads "We're #1" while watching reruns of old Dukes of Hazzard episodes while the rest of the civilized world has passed us by. Problem is, I don't seeing it changing until we hit rock bottom, and that time is coming very soon, unfortunately.
soulcamp said, (65 days ago)
@MisterDarcy: The thing is, McCain is running such a travesty of a campaign, I don't think the Obama camp is putting much stock in anything he says or does.
I think he should be fighting back more on this issue - march out some experts who talk about exactly how much can be saved. The official EPA statistics show that for every increase in PSI by 1, fuel efficiency is increased by 0.3-0.4 MPG. So taking your tires from 40 PSI to 44 PSI will net you between 1.2 and 1.6 MPG more. From every tank of gas! Why isn't he using his time to make EVERYONE in this country know that fact? If he did, it would only further serve to make the McCain camp look even more insane than it is.
ABoyNamedArt said, (65 days ago)
Actually, Gov. Schwarzenegger has come out and said the "good old days" of cheap gas are gone. Mind you, he's still supporting McCain ...
MisterDarcy said, (65 days ago)
@Soulcamp:
Sir that's way too many statistics to throw around. We want sound bites, not Ross Perot. That's already a "FAIL" for persuading the voters. No offense, but I'm just extremely cynical and believe that people are emotionally-driven, not policy-driven beings.
We elect personalities not accountants.
@Nomi and Soulcamp:
What you're describing is what an economist would call is "Tragedy of the Commons". And it has a name for a reason - it's a part of human nature.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons
Since we drive SUVs, use multiple credit cards, desire a HDTV when a regular less polluting tube does fine, get ARM loans, want to have a +2000 sq. house with a lawn...you know that's not a lot of hope in humanity for long term thinking.
And with that, I'm off!
Sure it's getting coverage. The gop is having a heyday.