Gas is on the rise. You know why? Not Dick Chaney or George Bush. That is what they used to say, and some people still blame the former regime for all of our problems. No, this one lies right on the shoulders of Barack Obama himself. Gas is rising because of a very weak US Dollar. A weak dollar that is the result of quadrupling of the national debt, and not getting much to show for it.
This one is on Obama, not Bush. It is time to realize that we have an amateur as President and we are going to suffer because of our foolishness to elect this guy just to give a brother a break.
The United States Dollar will go the way of the Italian Lira. You will need $100,000 to buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks, if there are any left.
The only problem is that while higher gas prices are death on a cabby's income -- I've been there and dealt with it a few "oil shocks" back -- a lower dollar is not only good but necessary for our country in general. Imports (including oil) get more expensive, but in the rest of the world American products suddenly cost less, which means American companies sell more exported stuff. And at the same time, some items (think tires) that are bulky and expensive to ship but whose manufacture has been moving overseas just might come back.
And a lower dollar puts a huge "SALE! 20% OFF!" sign on the entire American tourist industry. It means that you will hear more foreign accents when you pick up at the airport, and the hotels that Americans can't afford right now will be extra-attractive to Europeans and other foreign visitors. And they will take cabs. Oh yes, they will take cabs.
Will an individual Tampa cab driver get enough extra business from foreign tourists to cover higher gas costs due to the same weak dollar that is bringing more foreign visitors here? Maybe, maybe not. But as a general rule, more money coming into our country, and less going out, is good for all of us in the long run.
Posted by: Robin 'Roblimo' Miller | Saturday, 31 October 2009 at 10:56 AM
You are right. On AOL this morning, a poll indicated for the first time since the "brother " took office his approval rating is below 50%. Looks like the American People are wising up. Too late I fear.
Posted by: Larry | Thursday, 22 October 2009 at 09:39 AM