So gas just hit $3.99 a gallon here.....

Actually, the official CPI we are used to seeing includes all of those, though they do publish other breakdowns that contain this, that. or the other.

"The CPI is constructed each month using 80,000 items in a fixed basket of goods and services representing what Americans buy in their everyday lives—from gasoline at the pump and apples at the grocery store to cable TV fees and doctor visits..."

"The Consumer Price Index, or CPI, is typically the headline number you see in news reports. The CPI, run by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, measures more than 200 categories of items arranged into eight major groups, including: food and beverages, housing, apparel, transportation, medical care, recreation, education and communication, and other goods and services..."

 

Yep, and started by the same guy who starts them all.

 

This country is on it's way to ruin. We can't agree on what are facts, what is truth, what is right or what is wrong.
At least I provided some FACTS and source in my post, but your anecdotal evidence measured by how you are feeling about the current administration obviously is much more accurate.

 

I’d rather live in the “old” America.

 

Not me. I like the idea of air-conditioning, smoke-free restaurants, permanent-press clothing, dryers (instead of hanging clothes outside - especially in winter), no Polio, power steering, The Interstate Highway system, ATMs, the list goes on...

 

Only a true car guy would throw "power steering" into the mix.

 

No doubt you're not referring to the proliferation of scientific / technical achievements of the last 50 years. You were offering that this country, as one nation under God, has seen better days from the standpoint of strong families, the notion of civic duty, individual responsibility, the protection of persons and property, patriotism, unbiased reporting, a sense of community, and an optimistic view of where we are heading together as a people.

71% think this country is on the wrong track. I don't know what the polls say on power steering and air conditioning. I like them.

 

I’m going in the right direction, I just can’t get the rest of America to follow along…..just sayin’

 

I know it will not be going down anytime soon. The National Petroleum Reserve is almost empty.

 

My car runs much better on $5 gas than that $2 crap.

 

Correct

 

I agree all that stuff is great, it’s the “other” things I won’t mention.
I smoke, can’t smoke in bars or restaurants, I’m fine with that, I found it annoying myself.
It’s the “everything else” that annoys me, lots of things.
I just gotta get to the track ONCE this season.

 

It is at about 50% of its average level at over the past decade or two.

 

USD 4.79/AUD 7.49 for 98 here. Quite a queue for the pumps. Unless you're in a center fill Buick! Then you can take your pick.

 

Reserve practically empty and it was full before the thought was to use this to bring down gas price well it worked for 20 minutes now what? Gas right back up where it was a while ago and now with oil at 80 bucks that thing will get filled if it does at all since now it is more expensive.
I don't know about you guys but it used to cost me 25-30$ to fill up my car Now that number is 40-45 so that is another 60 bucks a month now. And there is this little small increase in the electric bill it only Doubled on the cost.

The dollar went way farther in the early 60's and early 70's than it does now, 1975-1980 is when it all went to hell. I know since my dad did not make much money but we were able to take some long drives 20 miles in some instances went to Barberton for chicken dinners once a month that took 45 minutes to get there taking back rd no highway and not driving over 30-35 mph, my mom watched that religiously. We would drive to Summit Mall from Akron and that was 40 minutes so gas must have been cheap enough to do all of this as compared to today.

There is now a charge for everything we do now from service charges to just about all we do, 42 bucks just for nat gas to be hooked up to your house what the hell is that.
But what do I know lol

 

Over 50% is not "practically empty."

 

400 Million Barrel (42 gallons in a barrel) shortfall sound better?

 

Given the war in Ukraine, and instability elsewhere, I don't think lowering our preparedness in any fashion is a very good idea. The SPR would fall under that umbrella. I like 99.9% full myself.

 

Spot on. The SPR was formulated to protect us from global turmoil as in applies to oil accessibility . If there is one item that is truly essential to our Infrastructure, i this is it.. Yet we witnessed a selloff. A measly 6 million barrel replenishment deal was cancelled this month... due to high cost LOL

 

50% is half empty when your Buick is half empty 1/4 is just a block away. we get into any conflict we will be at 1/4 in a week that is weak to me. we should always be at 75% don't know where 50% is good explain to us dumb people on that math.