[PRCo] Re: Gas Prices

[Phillip Clark Campbell]

Mr.Robb;


Japan is going through an economic meltdown 
for the second time in a couple decades.  They are
not at all immune from the current crisis.

China is feeling it as well;  the current situation is Global.

Each group of people does things differently;
in an imperfect world not one of us has the complete
picture.  Not one system is better than the other,
just different.


Phil





----- Original Message ----
> From: Bill Robb <bill937ca at yahoo.ca>
> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 9:24:30 AM
> Subject: [PRCo] Re: Gas Prices
> 
> The preoccupation with getting everything cheap is what puts us at an economic 
> disadvantage against Asian economies like Japan.  
> Japanese consumers reject low quality products. It's part of the culture. Many 
> day to day products were once hand made by artisans.  If fact at one time 
> producing cheap items could get you killed.  
> 
> Asian governments focus on the strength of their national economy instead of on 
> the consumer. Japan has no fossil fuels of its own, so anything involving energy 
> other than electricity has to be imported.  
> 
> You also find a much greater focus on service in Japan that in the west.  Trains 
> are routinely expected to be within 3 seconds, plus or minus, of arrival time.
> 
> I think the sole focus on the consumer is one of weaknesses of the Western 
> system.
> 
> Bill
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> Edward H. Lybarger wrote:
> 
> It's not just about money.  Wanting everything cheap is part of what got us
> into the economic pickle we're in right now.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org
> [mailto:pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org] On Behalf Of John
> Swindler
> Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 9:38 AM
> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org; Bruce Bente; Al Schneider; Philip
> Craig
> Subject: [PRCo] Re: Gas Prices
> 
> 
> 
> I'm disappointed in you, Fred, for quoting a $854 price for round trip to
> west coast.  Trying to scare people away from traveling so you can get a
> better rate?
> Phil's problem was that a specific holiday and specific travel days got in
> the way of finding a good price.  (and these are nice problems to have,
> particularly given Phil's current employment situation - plus visiting
> family)  Delta has a $187.99 price for round trip to San Diego with 14-day
> advance purchase from White Plains airport.   Change in Detroit outbound and
> change in Atlanta inbound.  And it is a real airplane west of the
> Mississippi.  The quote is from Travelocity.
> 
> For a real airport, probably looking at around $300 round trip.
> 
> And as for driving, I'd like to sleep in a comfortable room a few times and
> have a few meals while heading west.  That has to be factored in.  And my
> car would be due another oil change upon return.  Don't forget that cost,
> because maintenance is factored into the airline ticket price.  And I don't
> think the airlines get their planes for free - yet.
> 
> We were in New York over the weekend, and paid $1.45 per gallon for gas in
> New Jersey. The traffic was incredible until we got to Pennsylvania.  Enjoy
> these gas prices while they last, because these rates are not good news for
> those who advocate alternate energy sources.  I would not be surprised if
> government policy will try to raise energy costs during 2009.  Make us feel
> more pain in the wallet.
> 
> And how about those Steelers?  Great games yesterday to sort out the
> playoffs.  Pittsburgh probably has the best backup quarterback in the NFL.
> Scored 24 unanswered points after Ben suffered his concussion.  There are
> some very good 'wild card' teams this year.  (just to struggle for at least
> a Pittsburgh connection)
> 
> Cheers
> John
> 
> 
> > To: bbente at bellsouth.net; pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org; 
> > alschneider2 at juno.com; philgcraig204 at yahoo.com> From: 
> > fwschneider at comcast.net> Subject: [PRCo] Gas Prices> Date: Sun, 28 Dec 
> > 2008 13:40:45 -0500> > Now I'm really getting scared by this 
> > "recession."> > Gasoline in Lancaster is now down to $1.54, the lowest 
> > price, > adjusted for inflation by any means (including the CPI) in my 
> > > lifetime or even my father's lifetime. If we were to adjust the 8 > 
> > gallons for a dollar from the middle of the Depression, today's price 
> > > is still almost 25% under that once adjusted to the Consumer Price > 
> > Index. If adjusted to wholesale prices, the drop since the 1930s is > 
> > far greater.> > Phil Craig was telling me that the best price he could 
> > find to visit > his daughter from Newark airport to San Diego for 
> > Hanukkah holiday > was $854. I figure the cost of gasoline for a round 
> > trip to the > west coast is now an unprecedented low of $300. > >
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