why does media compare the U.S. to the city of OSLO when comparing gas prices? differences are night and day
Oslo is a relatively small city and parking is at a premium so a car is a bit of a liability. Fortunately there is an extensive and superbly efficient public transport system involving buses, trams, subway, trains and ferries, operated by Oslo Sporveier. The city is served by 50 bus lines and eight tram routes, all starting from Jerbanetorvet at Oslo S Station. The subway is called the Oslo T Bane and there are five underground lines covering the city. All public transport runs from 5.30am to midnight, with tickets available from bus drivers or vending machines at stations. The Tourist Ticket allows for unlimited use within 24 hours, while the 1, 2, and 3-day Oslo Card allows unlimited travel on any form of public transport, and includes free museum admissions and other discounts. Ferries operate on a seasonal basis, between April and September, linking the City Hall to the museum-studded island of Bygdøy. There are also ferry services to the harbor islands. Metered taxis are easy to come by, and can be found at ranks near shopping centers, city squares, stations and other gathering points. Cabs can also be ordered by telephone from a central office, or hailed in the street if the rooftop light indicates it is available for hire.
So many times in the news to we hear politicians and the news media saying well it could be worse and look at Oslo or several other countries. But what they fail to do is ACTUALLY look at their transportation systems. Obviously in those cities (which is different from a country) the prices affect far fewer people than it does here in America. Obviously if it affects fewer people in one city the prices will not affect that cities economy all that much. If Gas prices only rose in Podunk Kentucky, would the rest of America notice? NO! So my question is really to the people here who for so long refused to protest and agreed to pay higher prices (because other countries were doing so) is, have you done your homework on those other countries? Would america care about high prices if our transportation system was 2000% better than it currently is? what if public transportation was free or government subsidized? What if we didn’t have 2-3 car garages?
Would we care that gas was above $4.00 per gallon if our insurance wasn’t so expensive? would we care if we didn’t have to pay as much into health care insurance? would we care if our education system was better subsidized by the government? Point is when we have all these other payments going out, gas prices above $2.50 per gallon affect the U.S. far more than $9.00 per gallon or litre affects these other nations. If we didn’t have to pay into insurance, and schooling, and real estate taxes, and health benefits as much as we currently do, $4.00 per gallon would be easy for any of us to afford.
Why does the media, who has access to so much worldwide information, fail to recognize any of these simple observances?
They also note that Norway is the #5 exporter of oil, so I think they are trying to sneak the idea into your head that even if we drill ANWAR and off the coast, gas is still going to be expensive.
Seriously why would oil companies LOWER prices on their product just because they were allowed to drill in more places? the cost of a barrel is going to stay the same, they are just going to be selling more of the oil to China and India and other places on the world market.
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They also note that Norway is the #5 exporter of oil, so I think they are trying to sneak the idea into your head that even if we drill ANWAR and off the coast, gas is still going to be expensive.
Seriously why would oil companies LOWER prices on their product just because they were allowed to drill in more places? the cost of a barrel is going to stay the same, they are just going to be selling more of the oil to China and India and other places on the world market.
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