The price of gas and what to do about it
Re: “Rising gas prices end auto-erotic era,” May 26 Bob Ewegen column.
Bob Ewegen seems to be about the only person in all the media who actually understands the current gas price situation. That is, that by comparison to the rest of the world, our gas is still a bargain, and that despite the ups and downs of the line on the gas price graph, the trend will continue to be up, and up – due to static supply and increased demand – caused by the rapidly expanding economies of China and India. Too many media types seem to fall for the simplistic notion that it is merely George Bush’s buddies trying to rip us off.
But what about long-term solutions to wean us from foreign oil? Wouldn’t the FasTracks trains be even more appealing if they were powered by a non-polluting source that put not one ounce of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere? Isn’t it time to get over our irrational fear of nuclear energy?
I know what you are thinking, but comparing Chernobyl to the current generation of nuclear power plants is like comparing a Stanley Steamer to a Cadillac Escalade. There is no comparison.
Richard Stacy, Denver
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Newspapers are struggling for relevance and readership. Bob Ewegen’s column is a snide, boring, self-absorbed take on rising gasoline prices that shows he doesn’t understand the economics of energy, transportation and the role of government.
Ewegen uses the tired comparison of gas prices in Europe, where the population density is much greater than that of the U.S., to predict dire consequences for American drivers. Our inflation-adjusted gasoline prices have just hit 1980 levels. This trend could be reversed with more gasoline-refining capacity. Where is Gov. Bill Ritter’s leadership on this form of energy?
The column descends further into Ewegen’s narrow slice of life, chattering about his easy walking commute and his disdain for the automobile “lifestyle.” It is obvious that most people prefer the freedom and flexibility of auto travel. Bob, get over it. We all don’t live in your neighborhood.
The heavily subsidized FasTracks will not solve traffic congestion. Seldom does it go where we want to go. Ewegen is typical of liberals who resent our world as it is and believe everyone should hew to their prescriptions.
Michael Fisher, Centennial
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Re: “Gas prices 101,” May 27 guest commentary.
Bill Blomberg’s guest commentary advocates the “raise gas taxes” approach to lowering fossil-fuel consumption. The premise is that if taxes on petroleum are raised sharply, consumption will drop; the companion piece for consumers is that those taxes in other areas which hit the average person hard (e.g., FICA, income, etc.) would be lowered a combined equal amount, resulting in a revenue-neutral situation. Additionally, the nation would have all the other benefits of reduced petroleum consumption. The implication is that revenue-neutral also means cost-neutral for the consumer. I wish that were true!
What effect would high fuel taxes have on the price of those goods transported via truck? What about the cost to the retired people who pay little FICA and little income tax but who also drive? Blomberg’s recommendation would require legislation involving sophisticated economics. I question whether the credentials of those who today are often elected on the basis of narrow, single-issue politics are capable of pulling this off.
Tom Parsons, Broomfield
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Bill Blomberg’s commentary about increasing the price of gas by a taxation shift would be nice if all things were created equal. Just how revenue-neutral is this shift in taxes? Not everyone who needs to buy gas has a job or a spouse and family to help neutralize the costs. What about the unemployed, single parents, college students, retired seniors, disabled, etc.? His suggestion would just add an additional burden on the people who can least afford yet another increase at the gas pump. This idea is just as bad as the idea of basing health care coverage on a person’s employment. It doesn’t work.
Donna Hopkins, Lakewood
Is FasTracks cost hike the tip of the iceberg?
Re: “RTD needs to rein in FasTracks cost hikes,” May 22 editorial.
An important element of FasTracks overrunning projected costs is being overlooked.
The $1.5 billion to $2 billion in additional costs is based only on less-than-anticipated tax revenue and inflationary cost of materials. This is before the first shovel of dirt is raised on the megaproject. What happens when the project hits unexpected glitches in construction?
RTD’s present claim to deliver the bare bones of its promise is likely to meet far greater challenges in the future.
Kathleen Calongne, Boulder
Why not impose sanctions on Mexico?
As President Bush wants an immigration bill giving amnesty for the price of $5,000 to current illegal residents, neither he nor anyone in Congress or the Senate is asking, “What can we do to help Mexico stop this hemorrhage of their people?” If sanctions can work on Libya and Iraq – yes, they did work on Saddam Hussein – why aren’t we taking strong actions against the Mexican government? How ridiculous it is that we are building fences when we need to help Mexico build a strong, more equal citizenry. Law-enforcement officials are being murdered and drug lords seem to be ruling that country. Let’s stop this Band-Aid, screwy reaction to people who want a good life and help them have it in their own country.
Sue Cole, Littleton
“Casualties” in Iraq
There were 10 more American casualties in Iraq Monday. Isn’t that an odd word for it? They are anything but “casual.” At the very same time, one of the war’s most determined opponents has resigned, writing that Americans care more about who will be the next American Idol than how many Americans will die in a conflict that never should have been started and never will be won. Cindy Sheehan, whose son died in a war fabricated out of incompetency by the worst administration since Nixon’s, has resigned her protests.
We are a dim bunch and we’re getting dimmer. The death toll in May has topped 100. Mission not accomplished, and by the time we have somehow survived the insufferable candidates who groveled and bickered and bought the presidency, in November 2008 we will have another meaningless Idol.
Craig Marshall Smith, Highlands Ranch
A pair of sad goodbyes
With the graduation of the class of 2007, the University of Denver High School closed its doors for the last time. As part of that final graduating class, the disappointment and sadness I feel is magnified by the closing of another of my favorite Denver establishments, the Country Dinner Playhouse.
The reason why my late high school and the late theater are so similar in my mind are the reasons they were closed and a shocking degree of heartlessness at the highest levels of bureaucracy. Those who complain about the lack of quality education and support for the arts in our city stood by while these two fine institutions were closed. Those who tried to save them were ignored and dismissed by the people in charge.
The old saying is true: It is far easier to talk about one’s principles than it is to live up to them. Those responsible have annihilated these two fine Denver institutions that have touched so many lives. I want to extend my sympathies to the cast and crew of the Country Dinner Playhouse. I understand your pain.
Rebecca Winslow, Denver
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