By Kelly Nielsen
Special to the Signal Tribune
It’s my nature to look for the positive aspects of negative situations. This nonsensical rise in fuel prices has me looking vigorously to find some feel good reasoning.
I came up with four reasons that have made me feel somewhat better.
Europeans have been paying ridiculously high prices for decades.
Unfortunately, I believe this only causes Europeans to feel better knowing that Americans are catching up.
Butter is comparatively costlier than Gasoline.
While having dinner with a friend, I shared some childhood memories about low prices. I remembered my mother sending me to the corner store to buy milk, bread, eggs, and butter (four sticks), each costing between 25-50¢. I recollected that my dad paid 25¢ a gallon to fill up his car during the same period.
My friend’s initial response was, “Wow, you’re old!”
After a polite laugh and a kick under the table, I continued with my point. Today, four sticks of real butter could cost as high as $5.99. Gasoline is nowhere near that expensive. The high cost of butter made me feel better about fuel prices, until I remembered that my consumption of gas is much higher than butter.
I feel a special bonding at the pumps.
Pathetic as the situation may be, I find comfort in knowing I am not alone. For the past many months I think we’ve all been in a mild shock. It’s so ridiculous it’s almost amusing. If someone is standing across from me with the nozzle in their tank, I’ll usually make some spontaneous small talk about high prices. I always get a chuckle or light-hearted response from my fellow pumper.
I’m happier when I can share a smile as I leave the filling station, even though I can’t afford to fill my tank at a filling station.
We are forced to change for the better.
I tend to procrastinate, so a little force can be a good motivator when looking for solutions.
While watching cable news a few months ago I was entertained as I watched a special Senate committee trying to figure out the reason for rising grocery prices. I laughed so hard — they can’t be serious.
The reason is greed. It’s very simple.
This is a wake-up call. And the deafening alarm has been loudest as it reaches our pockets.
We have been backed into a corner, and everyone is looking for a way out.
There will be many economic casualties as we are forced to think wisely about daily survival. Survival is our most basic instinct.
There are some great side effects to this crisis. We are spending more time at home. We are thinking with greater responsibility about the environment. We have become more aware and creative in our decision-making. The corporate world is re-examining the way they do business. We are jumping head first onto the Think Green bandwagon.
In the past decades we have seen the introduction of hybrid vehicles and advances in alternative power sources. For years there have been rumors of vehicles being developed that are powered by water, and I was shocked the other night when I saw a Honda commercial advertising a car powered by hydrogen (water), and the only emission from the vehicle was clean water vapor. WOW. I’m sure the car will come with a hefty price tag and will pushed off the assembly line in a hurry to be first with this hydrogen-powered technology. I wouldn’t rush to place my order for this new vehicle, for I’m sure there are catches and bugs to be worked out. Seems too good to be true.
Oil companies and car manufacturers are most likely not the best of friends right now.
The rising price of fuel is forcing the pursuit of Greener Avenues at a much quicker pace. That is a good thing.
