Gas Prices and What To Do

Gas is now $4.07 a gallon for regular at most of the Chevron stations in Boise. Not as high as in some areas but a record for Boise. I retired at the start of this month and had hoped to do some traveling. In fact I had wanted to get a travel trailer and do some serious touring. Not sure that will happen now. Oh, I will travel but the trips will be shorter and very targeted. I will not be getting a trailer anytime soon either. I know that the prices are not set by the individual stations but it is hard to rage against a corporation that you can't talk to. Talking to the politicians doesn't help. They are all about protecting the big corporations. No, all we can do it tighten our belts and hope we can get by.
I know that is just a little pessimistic. So we should let Congress know that we want the big oil companies to use this windfall money to find a solution for this energy problem. Better batteries for electric cars. More wind and solar power. Hydrogen engines and hydrogen refueling stations. More fuel efficient cars not just smaller cars. Public transportation for all cities not just the largest metropolitan areas. More trains both for freight and passenger service. We need more ride sharing and flexible working hours. More working at home instead of traveling to an office.
There are also some less obvious things we can do. How about growing a vegetable garden. Reading a book rather than watching TV. Turning off and even unplugging appliances and other electronic equipment in your home. Replacing light bulbs with more efficient ones. Recycling. How about just walking and using the stairs. Riding a bicycle to work even one day a week. Using a scooter instead of your car. Yes, lets tighten our belts and do something to make a difference and for once have our voices heard and felt by both the big corporations and the government.