carl the big oil companies are the problem we have oil rigs all over the gulf of mexico its the market that determines the cost of fuel it will not matter what vehicle we drive if there is only like two makers it will still cost us more they can charge what they want the government must get a handle on this and break them up gas is good we have plenty without the reserves being touched

I will say one thing about the horse and buggies-over the winter, we visited the Amish country in Iowa. We saw plenty of horse and buggies driving through the snow, along the roads. Seems like a simpler life, but I’m not sure how realistic it is for most of us, as the Amish pretty much stay within their communities. I can’t see anyone here driving a horse and buggy down Airport, or the interstate unless they have a death wish for themselves and the horse. But if we all went Amish, we could conserve energy on electricity, since most of them have none. We could “live off the land” and avoid the high grocery prices, raise our own cattle, pigs, chickens, fruits and vegetables. Hey, maybe I’ll convert!

Well, I do have a horse, but seeing as how I drive about 100 miles a day, I really can’t put her through that, not to mention my day would start at 3am and last until midnight-lol. Actually, the cost of owning a horse is going way up too, and there are people who are selling horses at the auction for about $100, if your interested. Even heard of one that didn’t get bid on, that the owner left tied there and just drove off. Someone did take it though. The point is, we are all screwed no matter what, with EVERYTHING going up, except our paychecks.

To break down the cost of horse ownership-bag of 12% feed about $8/bag, lasts for about a week (maybe). Hay was $4/bale when I stocked up in the fall. A friend just told me he bought hay yesterday at $8.50 a bale for his goats. Vet bills-$75-100 for just the farm call, add any procedures and it goes up from there. Twice a year shots, about $25-50. Bi-monthly worming-$10-15 a tube. Farrier bill-$20 every 6-8 weeks.Yeah, it’s expensive too......

When i say wean our selves,I’m talking about weaning our selves from foreign oil.I think we should keep our money at home,as for cost per mile,electric is the way to go.The savings are unbelievable compareing electric to gas!And they aren’t all that far from getting 300 miles to a charge with the new batteries and motors.I think the oil companies know this and are going to make all they can,while they can.

rosepetal I think you are right - break them up and see what happens - What is the worst that they could do raise prices again - LOL ---- I sort of feel bad for you I know you must hear all sorts of mean remarks about the cost going up -

lol i was just kidding about the horse and buggy we dont need to do that i own a gas station already have to pay a clean air fee can you imagine the clean horse poop fee the point is we shouldnt have to sacrafice just find some way to break up these big oil companies and make them compete follow it back 12 years ago to where the big oil was allowed to merge

Big, sprawling cities are totally dependent upon motorized transportation.  Maybe that is something that should be examined for future generations.  I grew up in a small town in Mississippi and I must have walked or rode my bike over every square inch of that town.  Our schools were within walking distance and groups of us would walk to and from school every day.  Looking back, it was not a bad way of life at all and I miss that sense of community.

Well if everyone had horse then they would be allowed in the City and by the way all of the old laws are still on the books from the time of Horse and Buggies.  For example you can drive the wrong way on a one way street if you have a lamp extended 10 feet in front of your Carriage.  And by the way I was wishing we could go back to that time but I am sure it will never happen.

Food, shelter and vet bills keep a lot of people from owning horses.  We can’t keep them in the city limits so we would have to either move to the country or hire someone else to shelter them for us.  We would then have to walk to them or drive to them in order to go for the ride on the horse. At what point does that become cheaper for us?

I wish we could go back to everyone riding Horses.  A Horse is alot cheaper than a car.