President

[DawnCt1]

I didn't hear him, but I'll take a stab at it. If the President has asked me to save fuel, I'll make an effort. I wouldn't cancel already made plans, but it will affect plans I make from now on. I'll work harder at doubling up on errands etc. to conserve fuel. If I worked, I'd check into bus schedules and carpooling to see if it was feasible. If it was feasible, I'd do it and if not, I wouldn't feel guilty.

I think if everyone makes a little effort it could make a difference as to whether we have a full out shortage. Like I said, I didn't see him speak, but I'd be surprised if he's asking people to change their lives signicantly at this point, but rather to look at how they could make small changes to help the cause.

I agree with you. I think all of us can modify our driving habits and probably do anyway because gas is more expensive. I have to pick up DS after football practice today, I have to go the bank and to the grocery store. I will do my errands en route to the football field rather than make two trips. That is the easiest way to eliminate unnecessary driving.

 

[Free4Life11]

I agree with you. I think all of us can modify our driving habits and probably do anyway because gas is more expensive. I have to pick up DS after football practice today, I have to go the bank and to the grocery store. I will do my errands en route to the football field rather than make two trips. That is the easiest way to eliminate unnecessary driving.

You are right and I think that is what was being referred to more than anything. All of these errands add up and in the course of a year, I'm sure they could easily amount to a roundtrip vacation by car. It's just a good idea (and a smart one) to plan errands...saves time and gas.

 

[C.Ann]

I'd love it if someone could find a quote where he asked people to cancel vacations - because I didn't see it in the article I read.

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If not vacations, what would you consider "non-essential travel" to be? Do you consider vacations essential travel?

To me, a vacation is non-essential.. I'm not sure what other travel he might have been referring to..

 

[C.Ann]

I didn't see the speech either but I'd guess he wants Americans to become more aware of how much fuel we really use. Look at all the teenagers that drive to HS. Is that necessary where bus service is free ? Yes, I know some students have after school jobs and sports but otherwise what is the point? Same goes for all the parents that pick up students after different practices....usually you see one parent picking up one student. My school district has 1 HS for 3 small towns and the included rural area. Why don't people carpool more? Think about how much fuel those 1/2 empty HS buses are wasting driving their routes while parents let their kids drive to school.

And how about the people that just run out for milk or cigs or bread? Or people that drive 1/2 mile for 1 thing when they could have walked or biked or picked it up on the way home from work.

I'm sure the Pres doesn't want people to cancel vacations because that would really affect the economy but that's just 1-2 weeks of vacation time....what about the other 50 weeks throughout the year?

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You bring up some very valid points.. Lots of areas where people could cut back other than vacations..

 

[Independent]

I have a feeling he may have spoken without clearly thinking through what he was saying.

This should be the slogan for his entire presidency

I have always made it a habit to conserve energy - for the environment, for the pocketbook, etc. But certainly not because our government told us too.

When I see some sort of well thought, concise plan of how to get out of this mess, then maybe I will give the gov't some credit.

However, on the news broadcast I watched this morning - it was reported that cronyism is alive and well, with the Gov't (president) awarding rebuilding contracts without any kind of bidding. It was done in the name of trying to get things done quickly, however, it was reported that there is much concern on Capitol Hill that fiscal responsibility with our relief tax dollars has flown out the window.

Anyway - we have several gas stations here testing Ethanol (made from corn and bark) - which can be had for $2.30 per gallon - way less than the $3.25 a gallon for regular gas. And it burns much cleaner, so is much better for the environment. That kind of alternative solution I can embrace whole heartedly and will support fully!

 

[Viking]

It looks like W finally saw the light
Unnecessary travel IMHO also means to drive in cars bigger than necessary. If you live in a mountainous area, operate a ranch, or have to haul a boat-trailer driving a truck may be necessary. But just to shuttle the kids from suburb to school or commute to work nobody NEEDS Suburban, Expedition, Navigator, Hummer, etc. A regular car, stationwagon or minivan could do the same job at half the fuel consumption. This doesn't necessarily mean that everybody has scrap his/her truck now, but when time comes for a replacement one could think about a more reasonable choice of wheels.

 

[minniecarousel]

Why doesn't he pressure the auto makers to produce more hybrids?...and fewer gas-guzzlers.

Yeah - the tourism industry must have been real thrilled to hear him say that!

I'm not conserving just because this president asked us to - I have always tried to conserve - and I drive a hybrid.

 

[Viking]

IMHO he can't pressure the industry to change their products - only the consumers can do that. But he could apply pressure to the consumers to buy fuel-efficient cars by tax-breaks for them and gas-guzzler taxes on trucks. Or even a tax on gas would work. He isn't up for re-election, so he doesn't have to be popular anymore

 

[TDC Nala]

Heck no. Four years ago he was TELLING us to go to Disney World.

But he could apply pressure to the consumers to buy fuel-efficient cars by tax-breaks for them and gas-guzzler taxes on trucks. Or even a tax on gas would work. He isn't up for re-election, so he doesn't have to be popular anymore

Then why would anyone do anything he asks?

 

[toto2]

I think that , for many Presidency before this one , and specially with this one , american never had there governement ask an effort of them , beside paying there income tax and respect the law. No president since kennedy asked " Dont ask what your country can do for you , but ask what you can do for the country" Aside from the soldiers who do a daily sacrifice , sometimes of there life , even in time of war like the one going on right now , it is business as usuall in the daily life of americans.

 

[AllyandJack]

I don't see the difference betwen driving a small SUV and driving a mini-van. A Ford Explorer gets 16/21 and the Freestar mini-van gets 18/23. It's the difference of 2mpg.

My Blazer gets 16/22 in 2WD and I don't drive around in 4WD, except to get up my driveway in the snow. Yes, the Expedition gets really bad mileage, but a small SUV gets roughly the same mileage as a mini-van.

Don't we already pay a huge gas tax and give tax-breaks to people who buy hybrids??

 

[Independent]

He isn't up for re-election, so he doesn't have to be popular anymore

Actually he does have to remain popular. Very popular. Right now he is only being backed by his core conservative base. Even though he is not up for reelection, the republican party is up for reelection in 2006. He needs to draw the more centered voters back into the fold, otherwise he risks losing his majority in the house and senate.

 

[Chicago526]

I'm no fan of his (at all!), but it did sound like he meant for people to cut out truely un-nessesary travel, I don't think his intent was for everyone to cancel their vacation! I think it was more along the lines of driving two block when you should walk, or trying to get a car pool going for Little League, that kind of thing.

Personaly, I already do pretty well, my '98 Saturn still gets about 28 MPG and I try to cut out as many trips to the store as I can, and DFi just started to take the train to work instead of driving his gas guzzler of a truck. Not much else we can cut out for the moment!

 

[Free4Life11]

I miss the "El." The bus service where I live works, but it's nothing like the "El" trains.

 

[Planogirl]

Vacation travel is about as unnecessary as it can get in my view. We spent a fortune on gas when we traveled to Florida earlier this year and that was in a fuel efficient car!

I would think though that he'd want people to fly. Many airlines are really struggling and it would seem wise to get as many people on board the flights as possible.

 

[Frank Cross]

As a general rule of thumb regarding George W. Bush if he points you to the North then you should head South.

 

[CheshireVal]

As a general rule of thumb regarding George W. Bush if he points you to the North then you should head South.

 

[gr8tpanther]

If I HAD a trip planned for the near future, which I don't I am very sure that it would be NECESSARY! For most people go on vacation to get AWAY from the mundane insanity of reality! Right? Ok, so if we DON'T get away from the mundane insanity of reality, there will be less vacancies in places I don't want to mention!

SOOOOOOOOO, I think that trips are necessary and would definitely STILL go.

 

[phorsenuf]

Look at all the teenagers that drive to HS. Is that necessary where bus service is free ?

Actually we have to pay $30. per student per year now for our HS kids to take the bus to school. They need a bus pass to get on.

 

[RickinNYC]

I'd love it if someone could find a quote where he asked people to cancel vacations - because I didn't see it in the article I read.

Why are you seemingly doing your best to make this thread into a debate?