Point To Ponder

Jay

We all live in the a smaller world today, the global economy is always effecting us. What happens in one part of the earth is felt in others, when prices change it does not 'just' touch the direct people involved but has an effect on numerous others....

Rene, gas here in Vermont is about $1.74 for regular

Jay

__________________
A Bonsai student living with his trees at N 44.37 W 77.49...
Think before you act... then think again... no good comes from rushing

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RonMartin(deceased)

Not much by some standards. $1.65 US.
Problem is how fast it is rising.
The US is a vast country. Distances traveled are much greater than other countries. Not just tourist but goods as well.
Arrangements can be made when the costs go up gradually but they have exploded a bit. Much quicker than the economy can stand.

Bart Thomas(deceased)

Those from other countries may wonder at how inexpensive gas is in the US. By world standards, it is very cheap.

However, in addition to the distances Ron mentioned, in many cases public transportation is not an option.

A good example would be the Seattle bonsai loop. If you rent a car, you can visit Dan Robinson's Elandan gardens, the Pacific Rim collection, and Bonsai Northwest in one day. Of the three, it is possible that you could visit Bonsai Northwest by public transport, but the others require a car.

It is my understanding that one of the reasons gas prices are higher in Europe is that gas is heavily taxed to support public transport.

RonMartin(deceased)

We have been pretty lucky with the gas prices. It is still lower than most places. But we are rapidly catching up. Too fast though.
The higher gas prices will mean higher everything.
Even a young man like Charles will be affected. Drivers license or not. All he has to do is go to his favorite store and look around. Ask himself how all that stuff got there. Trucks more than likely. Truckers expenses went up then the merchants expenses went up. So prices went up.
Some good will come from all this. People in the US will be more aware , they will think a bit before they turn the key in the old ignition. That will help the ozone layer. Or so I have been told ;o)
They might even think a bit more about what they are spending.
Heavens forbid though that they think twice about buying that bonsai stuff.;o(
Guess there is always two sides to every story.
Its like that half full glass of water they always talk about. Whether or not it is half full or half empty depends a lot on whether you are drinking or poring

Jonny D

hi everyone, i understand what you are saying, but I'm used to it here in the UK where petrol prices are astronomical in comparison to the US and most other countries (its almost cheaper to go over to france and fill up and thats including the ferry price), we had a petrol stike a couple of years ago where trukers blocked every petrol pump in the country and brought the country to a grinding holt.

In my educated opinion (I deal with environmental issues) it will be better when oil reserves are depleted and we are forced to find other ways of power. So Hopefuly in the long run all our travelling costs, including those for bonsai, will be reduced with suistainable thinking. (Another option, low powered high efficiency car (good miles per gallon), rather than gas guzzling ones)

Jonny.

heymikey(deceased)

hey Ron; Maybe if you had more oil wells and refineries in S.C. (like we do in Calif.) you could pay $2.14/gal like we do. Or if you lived in Montana you could buy orange juice 40% cheaper than we do. of course we're known to have dumped milk down the sewer at the dairies to "support" milk prices. And I remember when you could buy a Cadillac that got 30 mpg in the early '80's but today we can buy an economy car that gets 22. A$$hole politicians!! Sorry if I got off track. Blood boilin' heyMikey!!

Daan Muller

Well those prices dont sound too bad to me. Over here we pay 1.24 euro for a liter. That translates to $5.58 for a gallon...

RonMartin(deceased)

Guess what I do buy gas (and sometimes milk ) in all those places.
Next week I'll be buying it in Iowa. The following month in Florida then MA. Maybe Louisiana before I am done. All have higher prices than here. All also have a higher hourly wage than here.
And in my case I am the trucker, the store and the school. So guess what must happen. Either my rates go up or my wage goes down.
So which is it to be. You or me ;o)
This is a bonsai forum, not a political forum. All I am asking is what will we all do when the price of this hobby jumps too high. Not whose fault it is that the prices have shot up. Please keep that in mind.
What can we do to keep it down. Suggestions!!!.
Mind you bonsai is a hobby that comes out of the discretionary funds of most families. That fund is rapidly shrinking.
Most of the bonsai shops are barley getting by now. A price raise might just mean they are gone. After all who can afford a price change. Not my customers. That is unless it is a downward trend.
When they are gone who will be the teachers. Where will we get our supplies.
I am one of the lucky ones. Because I sold the land that my old shop was on at a GRAND profit I won't personally have problems.
There are enough pots, wire, trees, tools and yes even raffia left to last me two lifetimes. But what about you. How will you cope !!!!!!!!!!!!!

RonMartin(deceased)

Imperial gallon or US gallon ;o)