Dave Simpson asked:
Unless the current price of oil declines swiftly and dramatically, the American people will suffer the worst socioeconomic conditions in living history. People won’t be able to pay even their basic utility bills, debt will escalate as food and manufactured goods get more expensive and domestic and commercial foreclosures will increase. The same economic decline will also cause a corresponding increase in crime, strikes will become more commonplace and we may even see tax revolts, gas riots and many more kinds of protest. These will increasingly become violent as desperate citizens resort to drastic measures to save their incomes, homes and livelihoods. Millions of elderly people, people on low and fixed incomes and paycheck-to-paycheck people won’t be able to heat their homes, put gas in their cars or simply cover their basic living expenses.
The facts are stark. For the majority of working people, wages are effectively falling due to huge inflationary price rises, their investments are failing, pensions are becoming worthless overnight, and even the value of their home is receding. Its not a pretty picture.
Many people are being forced to choose between filling the gas tank or feeding the family. Without cash to cover for rising living costs, many people will resort to buying staple items such as gas and food on credit card, simply storing todays problems up for release tomorrow, or the day after.
So, what can you do. Well, one thing is for certain, theres no simple solution. We can all sit around and hope that things will get better, but that doesn’t look likely, or we can start to take matters into our own hands. I’m not talking about marching on the White house, rather becoming less dependent on oil and making more use of cheaper, renewable energy sources.
First, you can get substantial increases in your gas mileage by employing sensible driving techniques. Known as hypermiling, you can effectively double the amount of miles per gallon that you get, thus effectively halving your gas bill.
Next, you can make use of renewable energy sources at home. Solar, wind and even hydro power can be used to dramatically reduce the amount of power you consume and keep your utility bills in check.
Finally, consider growing your own vegetables organically, they taste better and are much cheaper than you can buy them for in the stores. If you have the space, you can even rear some chickens or small animals as a food source.
One thing is for certain, we all need to start making changes to our consumerist lifestyle. Failing to do so will only lead to deeper economic problems and social unrest in the very near future.
Unless the current price of oil declines swiftly and dramatically, the American people will suffer the worst socioeconomic conditions in living history. People won’t be able to pay even their basic utility bills, debt will escalate as food and manufactured goods get more expensive and domestic and commercial foreclosures will increase. The same economic decline will also cause a corresponding increase in crime, strikes will become more commonplace and we may even see tax revolts, gas riots and many more kinds of protest. These will increasingly become violent as desperate citizens resort to drastic measures to save their incomes, homes and livelihoods. Millions of elderly people, people on low and fixed incomes and paycheck-to-paycheck people won’t be able to heat their homes, put gas in their cars or simply cover their basic living expenses.
The facts are stark. For the majority of working people, wages are effectively falling due to huge inflationary price rises, their investments are failing, pensions are becoming worthless overnight, and even the value of their home is receding. Its not a pretty picture.
Many people are being forced to choose between filling the gas tank or feeding the family. Without cash to cover for rising living costs, many people will resort to buying staple items such as gas and food on credit card, simply storing todays problems up for release tomorrow, or the day after.
So, what can you do. Well, one thing is for certain, theres no simple solution. We can all sit around and hope that things will get better, but that doesn’t look likely, or we can start to take matters into our own hands. I’m not talking about marching on the White house, rather becoming less dependent on oil and making more use of cheaper, renewable energy sources.
First, you can get substantial increases in your gas mileage by employing sensible driving techniques. Known as hypermiling, you can effectively double the amount of miles per gallon that you get, thus effectively halving your gas bill.
Next, you can make use of renewable energy sources at home. Solar, wind and even hydro power can be used to dramatically reduce the amount of power you consume and keep your utility bills in check.
Finally, consider growing your own vegetables organically, they taste better and are much cheaper than you can buy them for in the stores. If you have the space, you can even rear some chickens or small animals as a food source.
One thing is for certain, we all need to start making changes to our consumerist lifestyle. Failing to do so will only lead to deeper economic problems and social unrest in the very near future.
