The people are grumbling. As usual, about the wrong things.
For myself, I think that it's fine that gas prices have shot up a few dozen cents. The debatable evils of price speculation and stock markets aside, these soaring prices are occurring as a result of the people of northern Africa and the greater Arab region fighting for freedom. If the price of having a half dozen countries topple despots and dictators is for me to pay a few dollars more per week for the privilege, the luxury, of driving distances that once took all day to traverse, and doing it in a mere a quarter of an hour at inhuman speeds two, three, four times a day, well, I'll do it smiling. I won't support a war fought (supposedly) to force freedom on people who didn't ask us for it, but I'm glad to pay extra when the people themselves decide they've had enough of tyranny and choose to do something about it. It's the least I can do.
(the fact that the protests and revolts may be caused by soaring food prices thanks in part to us turning a quarter of the U.S. corn crop into the boondoggle of ethanol to keep the SUV fleet going leaves me a bit muddled-feeling, but the point stands).
(there are other reasons for the rising food prices. Here, read this: The Rising Prices of Food & Political Instability )
While everyone is all jazzed about these things going on in the Near/Middle East, it recalls to me the fall of the Soviet Union. Things will likely get uglier before they get better. I haven't heard so much about Qadaffi in 40 years. Democracy in the Near/Middle East is always dicey.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with you: ethanol is bizarre and ridiculous.