Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/01/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Don, eighteen years ago (about the time of the October 1987 stock market swoon) I wrote an op-ed piece arguing that if it had the political will, the United States would impose a federal excise tax on fuel that would put the price at the pump to world levels, i.e. $4.-5./gallon. That it would have nothing but beneficial results: 1. only the very rich would buy gas-guzzler vehicles, dramatically reducing demand for the big users so that Detroit and others would design and build the most fuel-efficient cars, buses, etc.; 2. it would compel a prompt and serious search for alternative energy technologies and sources (even in fossil fuels, the U.S. has billions of gallons of oil locked up in the oil shale of the Colorado Rockies); 3. within a relatively short time, it would wipe out the national debt. Complaints about farmers and other car-dependent people who could not afford $4. gasoline are dealt with by coupons or credits. Even that bureaucratic problem is a tiny "problem" compared to what we've got. Seth ----- Original Message ----- From: "Don Dory" <don.dory@gmail.com> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org> Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 2:23 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] Further adventures of a completely screwed up guy: longand occasionally on topic Seth, I get the feeling that if we want to drive something resembling a car in ten years or so, then the first manufacturer to figure out how to cut 1000 lbs or 450 Kilo's from the current automobile will win a large slice of market share. Less weight means a smaller power source which opens up new technologies for similar performance. Even with an IC engine less mass means less power inputs required for similar performance. As the oil producing states become a little more radical, and as the world demand for cheap energy grows, traditional hydrocarbon inputs will become very expensive. Up to now, the western world has been very resistant to cutting back on life style, but has instead found alternative ways of doing things. We will see if the Western world is still up for challenges or whether the baton will be passed on to other cultures. Don don.dory@gmail.com On 1/29/06, Seth Rosner <sethrosner@nycap.rr.com> wrote: > > Frank is factually right; BUT - regulatory requirements have added a huge > weight penalty to every automobile produced today. Crash-ability, > bump-resistant bumpers, airbags (that entail electronics, motors and > bags... > _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information