SUMMER PROJECT/Current AP World History: If you have to fill a gas tank right now, you're probably not too happy about the high price of gasoline. But is there a silver lining? Read the article at
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/26/gas.driving/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
and consider the following questions:
What are some potential negative impacts that soaring gas prices have for individuals and societies? Are they long or short term?
What are some potential positive impacts that soaring gas prices have for individuals and societies? Are they long or short term?
What is the appropriate role for government in this situation, and why do you think so?
What is an inappropriate role for government in this situation, and why do you think so?
10 comments:
Bonjour, Mrs. Stotler! I think that some of the negative impacts that the price of gas for the individuals and society include shortage of money. Some people hardly make enough to get by with, with the rising electricity prices (Or is that just with me?), and the rising food prices. People need money for other stuff besides trasportation. Should we really have to dig through our piggy banks to scrape up some loose change just to buy gas to get to your job. I think that the problems could be long term because the people can't make up the money that they have lost if they are at that same job. Positive impacts include carpooling, which helps the society. This could be long term because people like saving money. I think the government should try to help us with the gas prices. The government should NOT ignore the people with their problems.
~H. Baker
OK, what should the government DO to help with gas prices? Remember, we live in a free market economy, where the market sets prices, not the government...
Oh, I don't know what they CAN do, just that there are always loop-holes to anything.
~H.B
Definitely the negative impacts would be the tight squeeze of money issues in homes and trying to decide whether to use money to buy gas to go to work to make money, or to buy groceries so your family can eat. I think the gas prices are ridiculous and should never of gotten this high. This will probably be short term, hopefully, and gas prices will decrease soon. I think the government needs to step in now and do something about this. There are plenty of places that can be used to recieve oil, including a place in Alaska. I forget the name but the only reason they aren't drilling there is because of wildlife conservation. I will look up more about this if you would like to substantiate my position. The good impact of the increase of gas prices would be less pollution. Like in the article, people are driving less, carpooling, everything that needed to be done to save our environment. This can possibly be long term if people keep going they way they are now. This question has two distinct sides and is very controversial, but I think most of the population would like for the prices to go down.
katelyn labree
I think that the ridiculous increases in gas prices recently have made poeple realize more and more that the oil we have on this planet will not last forever. When money is involved, we will always try to find better/cheaper ways to do things. Instead of spending money on gas, the options of carpooling and public transportation are becoming more popular, which is better for the environment (and your wallet). However, I don't think that the trend of less drving will stick during the summer...people still want to go on vacation, people still have to get to their jobs. So even if we are helping the environment a little bit, we'll still be using a lot of gasoline.
--Mary Schultz
HI MS. KATE!!!
Well I think that a negative impact of the gas prices is what they're is doing to our wallets. With all of this extra money going in the tank we have none to have fun with. Families are in need of time together these days and getting away from the everyday is the best way to do so, therefore we need the money in pocket not tank. A positive thing would ironically be that we don't go blowing all of our extra money. There is a more conscious air of what we are buying and how much we buy based on our needs vs. our wants. A role I believe appropriate for our govt. is to find more fuel for us to use without endangering the balance of nature. I think the only negative role is for them to do nothing or stumble onto a way of raising costs even more. It's just ridiculous to think about how bad things are getting. I don't know what to do about it but I sure hope that something comes to save our money soon!!
Sorry Ms. Kate
the post on July 7, 2008 at 3:12pm is from T. Remsburg
The soaring gas prices have caused many other things to be more expensive. Trucking companies play a big role in getting supplies to retailers and high gas prices cause these companies to charge more for shipping, therefore increasing the cost of many goods. The price of living had gone up. For this reason, Americans have less money to spend elsewhere, which will be a lasting affect even if the price of gas decreases.
On the other hand, even though we do not like to pay more at the pump a little less travel is not a bad thing. There is less traffic when you need to get somewhere and public transportation is benefiting from it. It will be a hard hit for them when gas prices do fall again.
Oil companies are businesses and if we don’t want the government to interfere in other businesses they shouldn’t interfere with the oil companies. We live in a land of free enterprise.
The prices at the pump are are at the very least inconvenient, for lack of a better term. With the price of living going up, the managable income of the average person continues to go down. The amount of money one is able to spend in gas is limited and, therefore, carpooling and public transporation flourishes. These, though, seem to be short-term additions to our economy. It seems to me that once gas prices do come down, people will go back to driving their own cars. Another advantage I see in the rising gas prices, is the fact that the more pressing the issue becomes, the more it's heard of advancements in new technologies and new types of engines. This could be a bright, long-term solution. Obviously, there are negative aspects. Many people, especially those on fixed incomes, simply cannot afford the price of gas. With the gas prices raising, as many above me have said, so do the prices of goods. This is also a negative aspect that should only last as long as the high gas prices. I completely agree with Alissa on the issue of the government's involvement in the issues of the oil companies. We do live in a land of free enterprise and there's no reason for the government to interfere with the affairs of these businesses.
-Andrew Omerzo
Gas prices influence our everyday lives more now then ever. The positives are something we rarely think about. For instance, because gas prices are so high it costs way more money to go anywhere, therefore families are more likely to stay home and enjoy each other's company rather than going out to find entertainment elsewhere. This leads to tighter family bonds. Also, with outrageous gas prices you are forced to drive slower. The more you push the peddle, the more gas you use.
There are also many highly noted negatives. Not as many families can go on vacations, which was one family pass time that has actually stayed intact over the years. The amount of yearly family vacations have dropped enormously. The economy is also feeling the impact of the gas prices. People aren't able to go out as much and spend their money, because they are spending it all on gas. Many families even find it hard to get to work. Jobs are slowing and the economy is suffering.
The government should attempt to solve this crisis. Even though there are some positives, there are not enough to leave it alone. Gas prices need government attention. The government could decide to use some of that land that they have wasted. Land that is ready to be drilled, but isn't because we are worried about the environmental aspect of it all. Somethings are going to have to be put aside.
-Katie Spriggs
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