groups

So, the impacts are being felt in so many areas of everyday life for all kinds of people. Food and utilities are a big chunk. But for those of us who factored in RV travel as how we wanted to be retired, to pull that out from under us without being able to plan for it has been devastating in so many ways. I, for one, am angry...and my anger is displaced because I don't know who, exactly, to be the most disappointed at...including myself.

So, Abmonty had some pretty "heavy" things to say on his Fourth of July. It really got me to thinking that maybe we're all being way to passive about these drastic times. I certainly don't have the answers, but I wish someone, perhaps our elected officials would:

a) Tell us who to direct our attentions to facilitate a fix;
b) Tell us how long this is going to last;
c) Tell us who's doing what to correct the economy.
and on...

All I see on the news is, "Hey Joe, look at this!...the price at the pump is $4.19...ouch! that's gotta hurt, eh Joe?" Hurt who???

Then they say "speculators" have driven up the prices...who are these "speculators"?? Give me their address, will ya? That would be real news worthy!

I dunno folks. I think we're being much to accepting about all this. What do you think?

As a child I was taught the American dream: own your own home, work hard so you can retire comfortably, pay off your debts, honor the flag and serve your country. I did those things.

I spent twenty years in the military, fought my countries wars and buried many a good friend, saved my pennies and bought my own home, raised two children and put them through college, worked for industry and retired a second time. My 401K looked good and there was no way I could spend it all before I was forced to join the rocking chair set. My wife and I bought a motor home so we could enjoy the sights America, Canada and Nova Scotia have to offer.

When I retired I had to work at finding diesel fuel over $4.00 a gallon. No more and the worst part of it prices aren't stabilizing so every thing continues to increase in price: everything from the clothes I wear to the food I eat. We used to go out once or twice a week to a restaurant. Now, thanks to the economy, we eat in 7 days a week and the portions are smaller which probably makes my heart doctor happy. But it's even going to effect how he and I interact. I can't afford the bills he sends me so he can cover his cost of living and pay his medical staff a living wage.

As for travel, I've had to go back into the job market as a contract hire or consultant just to be able to go places and experience America. Were it not for companies looking for people with my skills my vacation would have to be either in my driveway or trips that I could make to and back on a single tank of fuel.

I've voiced my opinions to everyone who would listen in the various campgrounds I would stay in and the response is generally the same: be thankful you don't live in Europe. We frankly I don't care what the Europeans pay for fuel - I care what I pay for it and frankly when the Oil companies make 123 BILLION in profits in 2007 I'm paying way to much. How much money do executives have to make to enjoy a comfortable life style and still allow us to keep a little something in our pockets when we drive out of the gas station?

Congress: I've all but given up on them. I write my senators and congressmen (you know the ones who represent me in WDC) and mostly I get nothing in response. When I do get a response they remind me how great a job they are doing for me. Every time I refuel I remind myself just how well they are serving me and think just how badly this country needs a change.

My idea of retirement taking out my motor home visiting Yellowstone, see Boston, visiting San Francisco etc is all but gone. Fewer people are investing in the RV life style so I can’t sell my motor home. And thanks to the economy Travel Supreme, like National, is no longer, and while I may be hurting those folks who have lost their jobs are really hurting. I hear Starbucks and Goodies are cutting back on their retail outlets. Mom and pop stores here in Alabama are drying up. Restaurants once full of people are now luck if they have half the clients returning with the frequency they once did.

I don’t have the answers, but then it appears none of the folks I sent to WDC do either. We think Medicare and they think Walter Reed. We think about the rising cost of living and congress thinks about a 2 or 3 percent increase in Social Security. If we just took half the money we sent in Iraq and Afghanistan we could make everyone’s life along the flooded rivers of Iowa, Missouri and Illinois better and protect them in the future by rebuilding the levies.

Look at the roads in this country and the bridges in bad need of repair and still we send millions to third world countries who have no intention of ever repaying us and we are to afraid of demanding repayment. If this is how King James treated colonial Americans no wonder they rebelled. Actually even King James had more sense than to treat the colonials the way our congress is allowing us to be treated. We bailed out Kuwait and still the oil cartel is sticking it to us with $150 dollar barrels of crude. Out service men and women fought for their freedom and this is how we are repaid. How will Afghanistan and Iraq treat us once they have their freedom?

Still my borders aren’t secure, nor are my streets, and on a more personal note my retirement years are gone because the stock market has tanked taking with it my 401K and probably yours as well. America is the land of the free but we are the slaves of the oil cartel, the drug cartels, and the criminals who sneak into this country looking for a free ride on our welfare programs. Americans need to take a good look at just how prosperous we are the next time someone shows up on our door step looking for a handout. If the world wants our exports, food, technology there is a price. Maybe it’s time we retire the nice guys in WDC and find some folks who can be tough on those in the world who want to ensnare us with high oil prices.

In time all this will become moot, we will get used to the high cost of fuel and tell our children that we remember the day that gas only cost $4.00 a gallon. Just like I use to tell my children that when I was their age gas only cost .19 cents a gallon and it contained lead. The oil company removed the lead at the instance of the congress and the price jumped to $.25 cents.

We are all angry over the cost of fuel and the impact it’s having on our country and yet we don’t seem to do much about it. I’m beginning to wonder if we all don’t have a little politician in us.

Boomers unite - lets share our missery with our congressmen and women and when they begin to feel our pain perhaps then something will be done.

One major factor is the burgeoning number of new vehicles, some 2000 daily, going onto the roads in China and India, with their newfound wealth and middle class. The US looks puny in comparison, with our shrinking dollar, and declining middle class. The Saudis and other major oil producers just want to sell the stuff - to the highest bidder, and that excludes us. They don't give a hoot how we feel about it - or them.

I agree with everything said here. What is the next step?
I'm angry and don't give a hoot about the prices in Europe.
Why hasn't America started yelling and screaming at the tops of their lungs. Fuel prices have started an uphill climb on everything. What is going to happen this winter when people can't afford heat?

I love the RV life and have talked with many RVer's and it's the same story, fuel prices. We as a group only represent a small fraction of America and most look at us as rich Americans who can afford to travel. We are constantly being asked 'how much does it cost to fill up that thing' or 'how can you afford that' with a look that we are doing something very wrong.

If anyone has an answer as to why America hasn't protested
or screamed, please let me know. I'm sure you can hear me
screaming.

God Bless America this 4th of July weekend. Go Rv'ing!

I drive about 50,000 a year has travel gone up in price yes will I stop driving that much probably not I'm a traveler you can't take your money with you went you die.

I drive about 50,000 a year has travel gone up in price yes will I stop driving that much probably not I'm a traveler you can't take your money with you went you die.

Hmmmm question...why do we have to die because we dont have any money for food ? And dont think that is a smart assed question myfriend, AMERICAN has citizens DYING of starvation... I bit too cavalier for my tastes....thank you

I don't mean to be a "downer" when RVing is supposed to be FUN! Well, it was....

It has never been a cheap way to recreate! Think of all the money we poured into the economy by spending money every place we traveled to.

I still feel that Americans are being too passive about the sharp and sudden rise in fuel prices. Where is the outrage?

If cheap gas is all you guys need to achieve happiness, move to Venezuela. You can get all you want for less than twenty cents a gallon.

I'm constantly amazed that we Americans get all worked up because it's expensive to haul our homes all over the interstates.

It's BECAUSE we don't give a rat's ass what happens in Europe, the Middle East, (fill in the blank) that we are in the current situation.

Sure RVing is expensive. I think we better get used to it.

Sign me,

Airstream Owner

No, Retired8505, you're not being rude...(for your input in "Summer Travels" post.) The whole point here is to spark thought provoking dialog as we continue to figure out how this gas crisis hit crisis level so very quickly (even tho' it has been bubbling since the 70's!!)

I saw on the morning news that a man named T. Boone Pickens is finally promoting some dialog about the topic--proposing solutions, right or wrong. I haven't had a chance to study his recommendations yet, but I am comforted to know SOMEONE is doing SOMETHING constructive! Google his name and read what he is up to with wind, solar and natural gas...

(Announcement: I think later today I'll open a room to continue this dialog since it is getting off topic: for RVing. Nevertheless, I thank you ALL for your passion! Stay tuned to room name!)

I think that this whole fuel thing is a scam. Everyone blames the President but think about it... .these gas prices didn't happen until the Democrats became the majority party in Congress. I think that our whole government is responsible. As I watch C-Span, everyone has a different fix on the problem. It won't be solved until they quit blaming each other and quit the "woulda, coulda, shoulda" stuff. It won't do any good to say " 10 years ago, we should have done this". We need to concentrate on what needs to be done NOW.