How to Reduce Gas Prices and Beat the Oil Companies

As most Americans know, May 15th was this year's gas-buying-boycott day.

As widespread as that word reached (virtually nationwide, and I believe a fair number of people throughout the country participated), it had little or no impact on the reducing the gas prices at the pump.

I think it is clear to most people that a buying boycott fails at the outset, unless overall gas USAGE is reduced by it. Just NOT BUYING gas for one day does not equate to NOT USING as much gas overall. And it is the gas usage that needs to change if we are looking to impact prices in any way. Even that would take significant participation and would need to be repeated at frequent enough intervals to keep the pressure on the gas suppliers.

Are we willing for such a sacrifice? Or, are we more likely to "suck it up"?

It is really up to us, as individuals, though I'm not sure how many of us are really up for it. I happen to be recently retired, so it might be a bit easier for me to stay home now and then, thereby reducing my gas consumption (usage). But not everyone can do the same thing.

I DO believe that most people could choose one day a month to set aside for a DRIVING BOYCOTT that I am promoting.

And, please note that this gas boycott concept is not only about trying to reduce prices for gas and oil, but such a boycott would also help toward reducing the current GLOBAL WARMING dangers.

We are being told by the experts that we need to reduce the burning of fossil-fuels (among other things) in order to make any progress with reducing global warming. My guess is that if we do not VOLUNTARILY reduce our usage, someone is going to FORCE us to reduce it.

Once the global warming issue becomes accepted as FACT, instead of its current status as a debatable, evidence-lacking hypothesis that some scientists are expressing (perhaps exaggerated?) concerns over, there will be controls implemented.

I imagine such controls will first be in the form of even higher gas prices, which I believe will escalate to levels which will further squeeze off consumers at the lower end of the economic scale.

No telling just how deeply this may penetrate, but more and more people will seek alternative modes of mobility (more efficient vehicles, mass-transit, car-pooling, cycling, walking) in order to pay for food and shelter and other necessities.

Companies will likely have to pitch in with a little help with regard to getting their employees to and from their work locations (buses, carpools, etc.), as many employees will have to sacrifice their personal vehicles at some stage of this scenario.

Gas prices will continue to rise even more if the fossil-fuel burning statistics do not improve to a level where the experts and leaders are convinced we have begun to reverse the process, which could conceivably take several generations, or longer.

I doubt whether the far-reaching effects of such a scenario have been fully evaluated, but I am certain the rippling-effect will be a tsunami, as it slowly drowns the fringes of our civilizations and cultures.

My boycott goes like this, and I call it "P.R.A.B.O." (Peoples' Revolt Against Big Oil):

In the spirit of the boycott for BUYING gas, I propose that we spread the word that we are committing to and participating in a "Nationwide Driving Boycott" for at least ONE DAY EACH MONTH.

It does not need to be a nationally advertised specific date; instead, each driver can select their own one-day-per-month that fits their lifestyle best. It might even be a different day each month, as long as we all commit to doing something, and keep to that commitment.

The key is to really commit to really doing it. But if enough of us CAN do it, we can take back the power from Big Oil, and we can make a significant contribution in the global warming issue as well.

In order to REALLY get the power back, all who CAN participate MUST participate; else the effort will fail.

I encourage all who read this to spread the concept to their friends and family; and encourage them to spread it, too.

While I know there is no real need for it, I came up with this "Mission Statement" (don't we all need more of those?).

"We the People of Earth, in order to form a more perfect World, establish True Justice and True Equity, ensure a safe, healthy, clean, and productive planet for our current and future generations, provide for the Common Good, promote the General Welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty, Freedom, Safety, Health, and Survival to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Monthly Driving Boycott commitment for the Peoples' Revolt Against Big Oil (P.R.A.B.O.)."
Does this sound familiar? Hmmmmmmm...

Are we really tired enough yet?

Have we reached our "point of intolerance" yet?

Are we really in this together?

Let's NOT roll......for at least ONE DAY EACH MONTH!

PASS IT ON!

Join the "People's Revolt Against Big Oil". Pick a day a month for yourself!

Join by entering your comments and commitment.

The World thanks you for your support!