Friday, November 3, 2006

The Fickle American Consumer

American consumers are fickle, probably more so than any other nationality. For years -- while scientists warned of impending oil shortages and ever-increasing prices -- far too many American consumers thumbed their noses at this reality and purchased, in record-numbers, gas guzzling SUVs, over-sized trucks and spacious luxury cars.

Over the past few years (as had been predicted), gas prices started to climb. These same people started dumping their gas guzzlers and demanded to be first in line for gas-efficient hybrids.

Now that gas prices are falling again -- it's quite interesting that said prices are falling precisely as a lead up to the mid-term elections -- these same people are trading in their fuel-efficient vehicles for a variety of spiffy gas guzzlers. GM and Ford are reporting increased sales as result of the consumers return to the higher priced models.

Of course, this revolving door is bound to repeat itself again as prices will -- at some point -- start their climb upward.

Regardless of the price of gas, fuel-efficient vehicles make sense for the consumer, our society and planet. But try explain this fact to the fickle!

3 comments:

  1. Of course you are forgetting the fact that the gas price dropping also coincided with the return of cold weather and the turning on of many petroleum fueled furnaces. The profits from which recovers the oil companies "loss" at the gas pump.

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  2. We'll never know why the oil companies couldn't wait a few days until after election to start raising prices. That helped drive a stake through the heart of the administration.

    I logged on today to see if you had any comments about the election. We know that, given a little time, the Democrats in their majority will rack up as much corruption as the Republicans have, but the time between now and the next presidential election should produce some interesting discoveries about the current state of affairs.

    We would be so much better off with a parliamentary form of government. It doesn't make politicians any more honest, it just makes it easier to get rid of them. ---Dino

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  3. Every major election equals:
    * Lower gas prices
    * Lower interest rates

    Immediately after the major election equals:
    * Rising gas prices
    * Rising interest rates

    The losing party then blames the winners for the increases. Thus a vicious circle begins. The question that needs answering is why does the public not demand answers regarding the ease of lowering and raising prices? Clearly the market does not control the pricing, but powerful people that like influencing politics.

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