If the gas prices in the U.S. make you want to resort to physical violence against the poor slob who pumps your gas*, please (a) remember that he's just the hired help and it's not his fault, then (b) read this account of the cost of fossil fuels in France from my new American-in-France friend, Française de Coeur.
THEN try and tell me you don't want to do YOUR part for the environment by dumping your SUV (if you don't haul a boat, you don't need one) and making your next car a hybrid. If you think it can't get worse, just look at what they're paying over in Europe. We've had it good for a long time, boys and girls. Yes, our gas prices will no doubt drop back somewhat. But I doubt we'll ever see prices below $2.00 again even when New Orleans gets back up and running. The jig is now up.
Time to get yourself a Smart Car... after you stop laughing at how petite it is! And you thought the Mini Coop was the "mini-est"...
*(In New Jersey, for those of you who don't know, we have NO "self serve" gas stations, by state law. There is always a guy - and sometimes a girl - who has to pump the gas for us. Therefore, we Joisey girls are "gas-pump-impaired". When I go out of state on a road trip, I need a refresher course in how to pump my own gas, and always get these annoyed looks from the guy at the cash register when I ask for instructions on how to work the pump. Then I explain I'm from New Jersey and the look of annoyance turns to one of pity for my gasoline handicap. Forgive us, we don't know any better here in the Garden State. But we still have the cheapest gas prices in the country, even with "full serve".)
