Appliances

True...But on a global basis our fuel prices are not that bad at all...The main reason for the recent price increases are the closing of refineries here in the US, just had a big one close in PA, a huge increase in demand from China, and refineries are gearing up for the production of Summer fuel...Nothing we can really due about it...

With respect Marc, this is my opinion; You're thinking is what they want from Americans. "Global Basis" . We are America and history has been that America stands alone and leads. I hate to think what we will turn into if we (like our current administration) want America to compare to the rest of the world. I need not mentioned the European countries and their problems. Or their socialistic agendas. We used to have our own, independent thinking. OUR oil companies and our oil are profiting in major percentages OVER what they could profit selling here by selling OUR Alaskan crude to Japan or elsewhere (God forbid China). China meanwhile is waging a war on us. You have seen the news, they have committed thousands of Chinese army computer experts to hack every part of our country. They are building the worlds largest navy including major aircraft carriers and nuclear subs. AND are getting satilites into space. Yet, our country and oil companies AND oil commodity speculators, all Americans, are selling us out and convincing us that "Globally", we are still better off. This includes our military. We are allowing the socialists of the "Globe" and now our government to tear apart our military. Man, the rest of the world loves that, especially China. And now Al Gore who everyone knows sold a line of BS about his global warming (which gave the "global" entities amunition to start the strangulation of only America's our fossil fuel dependance and economy is now promoting another of his BS lines of thought in a new book that will further the socialist and new world order silent manipulation of the sheep here in America.
When all American's start looking at the rest of the world and start to think that we have it too good and that we should allow our way of life to deteriorate down to a lower level, then we will wind up having a Amero currency which will be somewhere between a Peso and Canadian dollar where they suck a major portion of our dollar down, add to that China and we are in deep shirt.
Of course Marc, it is my opinion and I respect yours.

In a very small way I was involved in Town politics about 16 years ago. It was a "grass roots" effort on my wifeand I , and about 150 others. Although we were successful in our quest, I found that ALL the politicians that we encountered are ego maniacs and self-serving SOB's. If I were to attempt to stay involved, you all would be reading about me and I would be the anti-gun lobby favorite poster child. :gah:

Don't understand why y'all don't use natural gas to heat yer homes.

Not available in my area. Plus, the local electric company also controls the natural gas. It's a monopoly that keeps prices in line with the fuel oil costs. No major advantages. But if ya natural gas equipment breaks, ya better be able to fix it yourself because it will take more than a week for them to even look at it.

Back home in Alabama, we had natural gas. Had it checked at the 1st of the year, Didn't do nothin to it the rest of the year.
Its dirt cheap back home. Natural gas wells are everywhere in the south.

Sounds like y'all like Politics up north:rant:

No problem...It is a gut wrenching subject...I respect your opinion too and understand exactly what you are saying...I have always looked at things globally due to the nature of the business I work in...I have always worked in the banking, finance, insurance business and that is how we and many other companies look at things...If we don't think globally, companies will fail as there would be no room for growth or expansion into other markets...The US is saturated...The reality is that the world has changed drastically over the last 20+ years...We are no longer the only game in town which has been very hard for us to accept as a nation...Some still do not accept it...The USA is clearly a lost leader sorry to say and we saw it coming and did absolutely nothing about it...We knew other countries would wake up, start basic manufacturing and we use to laugh at China specifically and called them the Sleeping Giant...Guess who woke up and is laughing now? People in general also want the most for their dollar, I know I do, and it ain't happening with US made goods for the most part...Everything here is so expensive...We or the unions have priced the USA out of the market...A lot of people bitch about foreign goods but we sure as hell buy them...Gas is a real touchy subject because it hits us at all economic levels...Put yourself in the shoes of a stockholder of an oil company which most people are if they own any sort of mutual fund or have a 401 (k)... Would I want the company to sell gas here at $4.00 per gallon when they can sell it competitively for $6.00 in another country? I also believe we do not want to give up anything...We want to maintain the status quo...I know I can't...I have lost 2 jobs over the last 10 years because they moved overseas to Ireland...Great tax incentives and saved a lot of $$...I get it but for some reason many don't...Jacque lost hers last year due to a foreign buyout...Chit happens...I do not know what the solution is...My crystal ball is as cloudy as the next one...We are in deep chit and it is getting deeper...

Not leaving...Plenty of good riding in NJ and NY...Just have to know where to go...

Most of our riding is back roads of NJ, PA and NY...Most people think NJ is what they see from the Tpk. which is fine by me...

Yer right about good riding in Joisey and Noo York. My problem is having to travel through the armpit to get anywhere good.

Sorry, I'm not buying the refinery to capacity stuff. But I do agree the EPA is a problem along with the rest of the greenies as well as the liberals Who want the gas to go higher so we are forced to follow al gores preaching.