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kitchenwitch
Inmate of the Asylum
Joined: 25 Mar 2008
Posts: 341
Location: Prison City
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 Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject: As gasoline nears $4 a gallon, US Congress has questions |
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| Quote: | Apr 1, 12:20 PM EDT
Congress has big questions for Big Oil
By H. JOSEF HEBERT
Associated Press Writer
Congress has big questions for Big Oil
UC Davis launches olive research center
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Top executives of the five biggest U.S. oil companies said Tuesday they know high fuel prices are hurting consumers, but deflected any blame and argued their profits - $123 billion last year - were in line with other industries.
"On April Fool's Day, the biggest joke of all is being played on American families by Big Oil," said Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., as his committee began hearing from the oil company executives.
Lawmakers were looking for answers to the soaring fuel costs a day after the Energy Department said the national average price of gasoline reached a record $3.29 cents a gallon and global oil prices remained above $100 a barrel although supplies of both gasoline and oil seemed to be adequate.
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It's about time they start looking into this. Isn't there enough corporate greed to go around?
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CONGRESS_OIL?SITE=RIPRJ&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
| Quote: | "Imposing punitive taxes on American energy companies, which already pay record taxes, will discourage the sustained investment needed to continue safeguarding U.S. energy security," Simon insisted.
"These companies are defending billions of federal subsidies ... while reaping over a hundred billion dollars in profits in just the last year alone," complained Markey, chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.
The House last year and again on Feb. 27 approved legislation that would have ended the tax breaks for the oil giants, while using the revenue to support wind, solar and other renewable fuels and incentives for energy conservation. The measure has not passed the Senate.
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It makes me sick, the fact that the oil companies get tax breaks while making record profits. I realize that gas is fairly inexpensive compared to other places, but coupled with an astounding loss in jobs and the rising cost of everything else as well it certainly seems that they are not paying their fair share. Punitive taxes my ass. |
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Vintage Girl
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Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3434
Location: Essex, England
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| Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:10 am Post subject: |
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$4 a gallon is a big deal to most Americans I know but here in the UK, where we're paying upwards of $8 a gallon, this seems like chicken feed.
It always seems strange when we're in the States to hear all the complaints about the price of gas when we're amazed at how cheap it is.
In the UK it's not the price of the fuel itself that is the problem it's the huge amount of tax we have to pay on it.
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Vintage Girl
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Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3434
Location: Essex, England
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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Looks like the misery is set to continue.
| Quote: | Motorists face having to fork out yet more for petrol after oil prices reached a new high near 114 US dollars.
Drivers across the UK paid a record average of 107.94p for a litre of unleaded on Monday, according to the AA. Diesel also cost a record 117.13p - or £5.32 a gallon. |
http://motoring.aol.co.uk/petrol-costs-up-as-oil-prices/article/20080415102909990007
I assume that the rises will apply in the US as well?
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Girls are like phones. We love to be held and talked to, but if you press the wrong button you'll be disconnected! |
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ukus
Joined: 07 Jan 2007
Posts: 72
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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They reckon it's going to reach $4 a gallon before too long.
I know it's cheap compared to UK prices but it's gone up very rapidly for us ... that's what stings.
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JC
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:58 pm Post subject: |
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Yes it is beginning to get quite painful, not just in gas prices. I went food shopping this morning  |
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poppycock
Inmate of the Asylum
Joined: 16 Feb 2007
Posts: 533
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:58 am Post subject: |
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I couldn't credit how much the price of bread has risen. Wheat prices are skyrocketing.
Would it be correct to say that Americans generally drive much longer distances than Brits and use less public transport? We don't have a great transit system in our city. However, I don't have a whole lot of sympathy for those who buy the ginormous gas-guzzlers. |
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JC
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject: |
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The town where we are has no public transport system at all, I don't even think we have a taxi company. We have one grocery but the prices are just stupid so I do most of my shopping a couple of towns over (17 miles away)
I drive one of those monster gas guzzlers but in my defence I couldn't fit all our kids in anything else 
We are in the midst of buying a car for husband and downsizing to a sedan, he hasn't anything other than an SUV in over 20 yrs but we have 2 boys starting to drive within the next week  so don't need such large cars |
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kitchenwitch
Inmate of the Asylum
Joined: 25 Mar 2008
Posts: 341
Location: Prison City
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:07 pm Post subject: |
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Two boys starting to drive? I'm glad I'm not you and I'm glad I don't live in Jersey.  The insurance alone is going to drive you to the poor house, never mind the price of gas.
At the rate we're going price wise, I won't be surprised to see it at $4.00 a gallon before June. Right now it's $3.55 which is 15¢ more than it was on Sunday. But I'm sure big oil will be struggling to make a profit again this year (heavy sarcasm). |
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JC
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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Poor house is our main residence. We have one in Law school, 2 about to drive and college in a year.... then a 7yr old and the baby turns 6 in June.
Husband breaks into a cold sweat just thinking about the car insurance
Now you know why I joined a board named Asylum
Good old NJ, the Garden State |
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kitchenwitch
Inmate of the Asylum
Joined: 25 Mar 2008
Posts: 341
Location: Prison City
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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| And somehow you find time to iron jeans & underpants....Do you wear a cape too? This is quickly becoming supermom territory. I have one 20 year old and I can't be bothered to do his laundry, much less iron whatever I'm going to wear to work. Much of that gets the faux ironing in the dryer treatment. |
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Vintage Girl
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Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3434
Location: Essex, England
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:30 pm Post subject: |
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| JC wrote: | | Now you know why I joined a board named Asylum |
Aren't you glad you made that decision. I think we offer the very best therapy around. 
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JC
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
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Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Super mom, no those women scare the living daylights out of me. |
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JC
Joined: 09 Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Vintage Girl wrote: | | JC wrote: | | Now you know why I joined a board named Asylum |
Aren't you glad you made that decision. I think we offer the very best therapy around. |
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JuanaLaLoca
A-cute schizophrenic
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 1291
Location: New England
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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| kitchenwitch wrote: | | And somehow you find time to iron jeans & underpants....Do you wear a cape too? This is quickly becoming supermom territory. I have one 20 year old and I can't be bothered to do his laundry, much less iron whatever I'm going to wear to work. Much of that gets the faux ironing in the dryer treatment. |
I stopped ironing years ago. I only buy knit fabrics and things like denim, that don't need it. |
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SilverMiniCooperS
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Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 195
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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| JC wrote: | | Yes it is beginning to get quite painful, not just in gas prices. I went food shopping this morning |
What used to cost me $75.00 not too, too long ago now costs at least $125.00 each trip to the supermarket.
If it requires ironing, we don't buy it! |
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JuanaLaLoca
A-cute schizophrenic
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 1291
Location: New England
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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| SilverMiniCooperS wrote: | | If it requires ironing, we don't buy it! |
Has to be machine-washable, too! |
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Vintage Girl
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Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 3434
Location: Essex, England
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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Absolutely. I don't mind ironing but I don't have the time for hand washing and dry cleaning is too damned expensive.
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SilverMiniCooperS
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| Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:04 am Post subject: |
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| JuanaLaLoca wrote: | | SilverMiniCooperS wrote: | | If it requires ironing, we don't buy it! |
Has to be machine-washable, too! |
Oh, that goes without saying.
Dry cleaning is damn expensive, but I've found, a lot of items that say 'dry clean only' can easily be washed. I think it's just their way of covering their arses. |
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Merak
Inmate of the Asylum
Joined: 05 Apr 2008
Posts: 214
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| Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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| The washcare label on a T-shirt I've got says "this garment is designed to achieve a vintage look with washing. So don't moan." lol! |
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SilverMiniCooperS
Inmate of the Asylum
Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 195
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:24 am Post subject: |
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| LOL! |
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Jen
Joined: 31 Mar 2008
Posts: 64
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:44 am Post subject: |
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Food shopping is getting scarily expensive.
I know of a woman who irons underpants and socks...Why?
I don't iron sheets, towels, undies, socks or woollies.
T shirts I just pull into shape whilst damp and hang them over the line to dry off. The heat from the body soon gets rid of odd creases.
I worked with a guy who only ever ironed the cuffs, collars and fronts of his shirts, he said he never takes his jacket off at work so why bother with the back. |
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JuanaLaLoca
A-cute schizophrenic
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 1291
Location: New England
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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| SilverMiniCooperS wrote: | | JuanaLaLoca wrote: | | SilverMiniCooperS wrote: | | If it requires ironing, we don't buy it! |
Has to be machine-washable, too! |
Oh, that goes without saying.
Dry cleaning is damn expensive, but I've found, a lot of items that say 'dry clean only' can easily be washed. I think it's just their way of covering their arses. |
Anything that I have that is supposed to be hand-washed goes into the delicates cycle in the machine. I have one sweater that I ordered without realizing that it was supposed to be dry-cleaned, so I put that in the delicates cycle, too, and it hasn't disintegrated or anything yet. |
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kitchenwitch
Inmate of the Asylum
Joined: 25 Mar 2008
Posts: 341
Location: Prison City
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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| You can certainly get away with handwashing a lot of things or gentle cycle in the washer. Most of the time things are labled dry clean because they aren't colorfast or because the fabric may do something wacky or if there is some sort of decoration on it that might not hold up if it gets wet. Rayon is notorious for fading and pilling, but that can be minimized if you line dry it instead of put it in the dryer. And we all know what happens to wool if it gets wet and hot. |
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JuanaLaLoca
A-cute schizophrenic
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 1291
Location: New England
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| Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 7:21 pm Post subject: |
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| kitchenwitch wrote: | | And we all know what happens to wool if it gets wet and hot. |
That sweater is wool, but I only get it wet and cold. There may be a hint of felting, but it still looks fine. |
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