I'm sure you've seen this (or something similar) at least twice in the last two weeks:
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"NO GAS... On May 15th 2007
Don't pump gas on may 15th
*In April 1997, there was a "gas out" conducted nationwide in protest of gas prices. Gasoline prices dropped 30 cents a gallon overnight.
On May 15th 2007, all Internet users are to not go to a gas station in protest of high gas prices.
Gas is now over $3.00 a gallon in most places.There are 73,000,000+ American members currently on the Internet network, and the average car takes about 30 to 50 dollars to fill up.
If all users did not go to the pump on the 15th, it would take$2,292,000,000.00 (that's almost 3 BILLION) out of the oil company's pockets for just one day, so please do not go to the gas station on May 15th and lets try to put a dent in the Middle Eastern oil industry for at least one day.If you agree (which I can't see why you wouldn't) repost this as a bulletin, or send to everyone you know via e-mail...''Don't pump gas on May 15th""
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Some people go for it full force, some guffaw, and still others, like myself, rarely buy gas on the 15th of any particular month, mainly because I get my paycheck on the first and have used up my cash paying bills by then.
But really, let's look at this logically... First of all, nobody buys gas every day. Let's get really generous and say the average person buys gas once a week. and let's do another generous estimate and say that 2/3 of the people who have access to the Internet even have vehicles (many people with email check it at a public place, a friend's house, or library/Internet cafe-type establishment). Now how about some math. The above estimate assumes every American on the Internet has a car, and fills up their gas tank to the tune of $40 or so every day. With my estimate, the "loss" isn't even a million. Definitely not enough for the big oil moguls to even bat an eye at.
Taking into consideration that if you want gas, you will buy it, even if you don't do so on a certain day, doesn't that mean that the gas companies aren't loosing anything due to you, no matter when you fill up?
If you really want to make a difference, go oil free. Bike, walk, or bus everywhere you go and let the oil companies know where they can shove their outrageous price hikes for good!
Second best is to pick an oil company or two to boycott, any will do. Do some research and decide for whatever reason makes you happy. Human rights records, bad eco-practices, irresponsible drilling, whatever. Don't ever buy gas from that company or it's subsidiaries ever again. It's a lot less random, and it can really get your point across.
The only real vote we have anymore is the one we make with our dollars. What companies will you choose to support?
Of course, not buying gas on the 15th won't hurt anything either, and if it makes you happy, then by all means, join right in.
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More by Kryistina ~*~ Frugal Diva Extraordinaire ~*~ |
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Comments: 29
$3.5 = £1(GBD) approximately, so that makes your gas £2.61 per gallon.
Our gas prices in the UK are £5.50 per gallon, over DOUBLE yours, give or take a dribble. Perhaps you could encourage the Brits to do the same thing today.
Trouble is, the government here milks off most of what we pay for gas, only to put it into silly projects like keeping our MP's wallets full, ego trips of helping the US to persuade certain other countries to sort out democracy (when we can't sort out our own in the UK)
Well, who knows, things might change here, with the prospects of a new face in the Chair.
Oh, dear, I've just thought of the new sombre, bland person who might get there; perhaps you ARE better off in the US.
At least you can laugh at his Bush-isms!
On a side note, the ONLY people that are hurt by this are those families that work at gas stations across America. It does not hurt the person you intend to hurt. EVER. Get your facts straight, currently the gas price at the company my husband works for is literally ONE PENNY over their cost. There are times that they sell it under cost. If you want to do something valuable to help, stop driving your cars.
I really respect ya, but please read the article before you delete it from your group or tell me I don't have my facts straight. *hug*
We did see a list of companies that get their oil from the middle east and picked one off the list of non middle east oil using companies. We've done that for quite a while.
I really don't see how protesting by not buying gas would hurt anyone who works at a gas station, they'll still get their paycheck whether lots of gas is pumped or not. It might hurt the individual gas station owner some.
I wish there was something we could do though that would really make a difference. My dh is in the process of getting himself biking to work. He did it for a while last year but when the weather got bad he quit. More people biking or using public transport or walking would help. That is hard when stuff you need is all over town though. I've been trying to do all my errands on the other side of town once a week instead of driving all over whenever the want or need rises.
There is absolutely no way for me to read every single thing that comes through Kindred Spirits. Your tags and original title give no indication of your stand on it =)
Please resubmit if you so desire and it will be back in
Thanks for taking the time to alert me to the misunderstanding
I haven't been to the chats lately because I've been too busy planting my Certified Naturally Grown rooftop food garden and my ground-level yarden. :) After planting time is over, I should be able to attend the chats more often again.
I'll be sure to publish the updates and tales to The Green group as things move along this season. *smile*
It's always exciting to grow your own food. It really tastes better than it does at the store, don't you think. :)
Most folks don't realize how easy it is, how inexpensive, how much can be produced on a small plot of land, and most of all, how little hard labor one can put into a yarden and have it produce amazing yields. As a gardener and activist, it's part of my job to educate those around me. :D
Do you use only hand and manual tools in your garden and yard care, or do you also use gas-powered items? Was the hand tools only something you did as a special thing for the no-gas day, or is it a regular occurrence? I'd love to start a dialogue with you.
Right now diesel is cheaper than unleaded! I've NEVER seen that happen before, have you?
But you know what I say...
Many small people, doing manty small things, can and DO change the world!