May 15th Gas Boycott is a Bad Idea
In Theory it Sounds Good...but the Reality is it Just Won't Work
"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 companies 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) resend this to all your contact list. With it saying, ''Don't pump gas on May 15th"
Variations of the gas boycott e-mail have circulated annually since 1999, according to rumor-debunking Web site snopes.com, maybe earlier. My question is -- do any of these chain letters do any good? And also, if everyone in the United States stops buying gas on the 15 of May (or any other day for that matter) will it have any effect on how much we pay for gas?
I did a little digging and unfortunately I didn't come up with anything extremely promising.
According to urbanlegends.about.com, economists say it's unlikely that any form of consumer boycott could have an appreciable effect on gas prices nationally. Furthermore, it is hard to conceive of a less effective way to "organize" such a boycott than passing around an anonymous, randomly distributed chain letter like the one above. Past attempts have shown little or no results.
In fact, according to breakthechain.org, in 2003, when a similar boycott chain-letter was being circulated, a representative of Exxon-Mobil characterized these chain-mail efforts as unrealistic. "...Unless total demand is reduced for a particular market area, as opposed to shifting purchases to other companies' stations retail prices areunlikely to decrease - unless, of course, there is an increase in supply to that market area."
On a strictly personal note, I gotta tell you, if you think paying $2.90 a gallon for gas rubs you the wrong way, then try living in Italy (or Europe in general). The rate here is 1 euro per LITER (about $1.20 a liter). Do some math on that and then ask me why I'm not quite sympathetic to your whining.
But that's not the point. I guess it's unfortunate that there is not a way of uniting for the common good in a way that tells Exxon or Mobile or whoever that "...We're mad as hell and we just won't take it any more..." But I'm thinking that this "don't buy gas" thing isn't the way.
Another site -- sophos.com --- puts it this way:
"....It doesn't even make sense as a gesture of protest. Perhaps we could all send a message if we refused to drive on a certain day thereby consuming less gasoline), but even then a 24-hour drop in the demand for gasoline would amount to little more than a blip on the oil producers' spreadsheets.And we'd still have to run our errands another day..."
CBS2Chicago.com posted a response to the chain letter that actually made some sense: "....Chances are the plan is more fantasy than feasible. But with gas prices hovering around $3 a gallon -- 21 cents higher compared to last year, according to AAA-Chicago Motor Club -- there's always room for hope..."
According to Gasbuddy.com -- a gas price-tracking site that allows visitors to post and compare local gas prices - just getting enough people to participate would probably be difficult. As well as the fact that those participating in the boycott would probably just fill up the day before or after the boycott.
The real solution -- according to some -- is that people just have to stop using their cars. They have to start using public transportation or carpooling and stop driving their POV's.
Like that's going to happen. Well -- if you can manage to not buy gas on May 15th than more power to you. And if I notice that gas prices drop on the 16th then I'll be the first person to shake your hand.
Published by Gary Picariello
I've traveled the world as a Broadcast Journalist working for the American Forces Radio & Television Service in the United States Air Force. Now happily retired after 23 years of service, and currently livin... View profile
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- It WILL force us to stay indoors if we don't drive.
- THAT means less emissions in the air -- which is a GOOD thiing!
35 Comments
Post a CommentI am sorry if this is in the wrong place or wrong group.
Acting Together Will Make A Difference! visit www.end2crazygasprice.com now!
Our objective is to Force the gas companies to lower their gas price by asking the consumers in Canada and in the United States NOT TO PURCHASE ANY GAS from the selected gas companies posted below.
We can have a significant impact on the price of gas IF WE ACT TOGETHER to initiate a GAS PRICE WAR!!! So Please Start The Boycott Now!
Until futher notice WE DO NOT BUY ANY GAS from the following companies
CANADA
- Esso
- Petro-Canada
- Shell
USA
- ExxonMobil (all Exxon Mobile Gas Stations)
- Esso
- Shell
YES, WE CAN WIN BUT...It is absolutely NECESSARY To continue purchasing our gas ELSEWHERE Than at the posted gas stations above and this, until we reach our objective. And, MOST OF ALL, HELP US
BY FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO FAMILY, FRIENDS, CO-WORKER etc...! CAN WE COUNT ON YOU...?
Please visit www.end2crazygasprice.com and join us to imple
Daniel - A general strike until change is promised has substance. A one-day boycott that, over the long run, affects no one but local dealers is symbolism without substance. If people were angry at the price of Coca Cola, the substantive way to protest would be to switch to Pepsi or (my favorite) RC Cola ... not switch to Diet Coke. My current home is not piped for natural gas. My next home after retirement will be ... and I plan to convert my auto to dual-power NG and propane. Or, I may even jump the gun and do the conversion first - relying on only propane until my move is complete. THAT has substance.
Lec Walesa got the entire country of Poland to strike the Soviet Union...a heavy handed totalitarian regime and it was not only successful, but changed the entire world. We cannot see the way clear to protest-in a country where protest is revered-an oppressive industry's pricing...!! You all deserve what you get. Anyone who does not use the right to actively protest does not deserve the right. They shall be lead as sheep and invariably to their own slaughter.
Such a boycott is not only a bad idea, it's a silly idea. A much better idea would be this one. First, don't announce it (grin). Start this by word of mouth until a multitude of people agree that they'll do it. Then, on a given day, everyone in agreement has their auto converted from gasoline to dual-power (natural gas and propane). NG companies already install filling areas in NG homes. You can become your "own" gas station at home. And on the highway, propane is readily available at numerous gas stations. A one day boycott does nothing. A permanent boycott would drive the message home.
I agree that little good comes from these types of protests. #1 - the gas companies know that if no one drove on a specific day (an impossibility in itself), the driving that didn't get done that day would be done the next day and we'd still need to buy gas then for those errands. #2 In reply to Micah regarding Shell, in particular. As my husband operates a Shell station, I know their gas is of the best quality so you get better mileage and it helps prevent costly engine problems in the long run as opposed to independents. AND, the mark-up on gas at Shell is often a mere 3-cents above cost!
Oops, guess html is a no go in the comments.
The interview is at http://www.alternet.org/environment/51758/
So nothing can be done by consumers to lower prices? The author of Oil on the Brain, in this interview, says she discovered differently. She advocates buying gas from independents (not Shell or Exxon and other majors): Because the independents exert pressure to keep the prices down, and I support the struggling independent work ethic.
Not a econ pro, but I have a slight suspicion that gas prices will increase tomorrow.
I was actually surprised how well publicized it was this time around. It was on AC a few times, it was on local craigslists all over the place, and it even made the front page of our local newspaper. Unfortunately, it wouldn't work. I was planning on participating until I realized I was completely empty. Ah well. Great article though!
Nice though, but not a realistic way to change anything. How about 'National Carpool Day' or 'National Walk to Work Day' instead?