an introduction »
by Rami Mahmoud Elsawah
Person A: "Gas prices are too high!""
Person B: "Can you believe they skyrocketing prices?!"
Person C: "I can't believe it's costing me $30 to fill my tank!"
If anyone falls into one of the three categories of people above, I just have one thing to say, "We deserve it."
It's time to stop complaining and start taking responsibility for our own actions. We attacked Iraq, we spilled blood, and now we're paying for it.
But even still, is it fair for us to sit and complain about the skyrocketing oil prices when in Iraq -- the country already sitting on 1/3 of the world's oil -- people have to wait half a day or maybe more at gasoline stations to fill up cars with gas, and to fill up kersone and diesel containers for heating and lighting? Have any of us even seen a two mile line for gas before?
Tell me, Is it fair that the people of the country with the highest GDP (gross domestic product) in the world have to pay $3 U.S. Dollars for a gallon of gas while the people of a country who have been sanctioned, starved, and irradiated to death for 11 years have to buy gasoline off the Iraqi black market (one of the only means possible for getting gas) for $2.50 U.S. Dollars a gallon.
Think about that, $2.50 U.S. dollars PER GALLON. And an Iraqi with a GOOD salary gets about $50 a month. You do the math.
Not only do Iraqis also have to fill up their tanks (because most of them supplement their already poor income by using their cars to become taxi drivers) but they must also buy fuel for cooking, heating and electricity. How many of us have diesel generators in our house? When was the last time we cooked food on a bunsen burner or sat by a kerosene heater to keep warm?
We should really stop complaining about these silly things like gas prices and start realizing that we are a spolied nation who's gas prices only went up because of the spilled blood of 2000 American Soldiers and 26,000 innocent Iraqi civilians that lines the gas tanks of every automobile we own.
I think I'm person A, B, and C.
Actually, I was just thinking about it today how it's crazy that it's 3.19 dollars per gallon. But then I thought, wait, we have to fill up our cars, so m=no matter what we'll have to pay the price for gas. Also, it doesn't really matter how much the gas prices are, it just matters how much you make. If you can actually afford it and still live a good life, we really shouldn't complain. It's those who can barely afford a simple life (i.e. those who make minimum wage) that maybe have more of a right to say something.
And I hope those SUV drivers are regretting buying their gigantor gas-guzzling vehicles.
on September 3, 2005 10:31 PMSalaam:
Never in my past 12 years or so in USA, have I ever thought twice about the gas prices and the $ amount it takes to buy a full tank of gas.
...still worst is how this price hike has affected my driving habit, meaning I have a high performance turbo car, that drinks gas like there is no tomorrow especially when I do spirited driving...but now I drive like an old man...hehehehehe
Ma'Assalaama
just was wondering if the editor recieved my article on Katrina, thanks.
on September 4, 2005 11:27 PMHey brother,
Just keep cruising in the Paseo bro, dont rev too hi and dont rev too low....keep the gangsta lean strong Rami.... naw mean
-much love bro
Irfan
Oh by the way.......to save money on gas
SKATEBOARD.
i have been a skater since i was 9 years old... its the best way to get around the city
on September 4, 2005 11:59 PMSo I guess in a sense this price hike is a blessing in disguise. Now people are speeding less, walking or taking public transportation when they can, buying more gas efficient vehicles, etc. Funny how people won't do that to save the environment, but will do it to save money.
on September 5, 2005 9:00 PM(Environemntal economics class)
Public goods (such as the environment) will always get overused since nobody has to pay for them until we internalize the usage cost of such goods.
on September 5, 2005 11:06 PM