Started burning E85

[timswi]

I must have changed my mind

Not to argue, but it has to be difficult being an environmentalist and go through $1,000 in so called "fossil fuels" each day...If the government said it has to go to $7.00 per gallon, as the current administration wishes, what would happen to your company?...Riding a bike to work ain't gonna help that or anyone else...Never seen a solar, wind, alge, corn, switchgrass or restaurant refuse powered semi.

Not bashing, just trying to level set the reality that we live in.

 

[Timber]

Not to argue, but it has to be difficult being an environmentalist and go through $1,000 in so called "fossil fuels" each day...If the government said it has to go to $7.00 per gallon, as the current administration wishes, what would happen to your company?...Riding a bike to work ain't gonna help that or anyone else...Never seen a solar, wind, alge, corn, switchgrass or restaurant refuse powered semi.

Not bashing, just trying to level set the reality that we live in.

I'm open for suggestions?

I have all ready cut my fleet in 1/2, pulled my transportation range into a tighter circle. I also only run lanes that are profitable. As the cost of fuel rises and it will I will have no choice but to evaluate my strategy.

As far as me riding my bicycle not helping well you right alone I have no impact but I am not alone.

 

[timswi]

I'm open for suggestions?

I have all ready cut my fleet in 1/2, pulled my transportation range into a tighter circle. I also only run lanes that are profitable. As the cost of fuel rises and it will I will have no choice but to evaluate my strategy.

As far as me riding my bicycle not helping well you right alone I have no impact but I am not alone.

I'm not beating you up...I'm just saying...You are certainly in a tough position...I, and most others, can't ride a bike 30 miles to work...Just comes with living in rural areas...We have to go where the money is and I have no desire to live in an urban setting....I don't care what fuel costs.

 

[MasseyWV]

I have no desire to live in an urban setting....I don't care what fuel costs.

Well said. :thumbsup:

 

[Timber]

I'm not beating you up...I'm just saying...You are certainly in a tough position...I, and most others, can't ride a bike 30 miles to work...Just comes with living in rural areas...We have to go where the money is and I have no desire to live in an urban setting....I don't care what fuel costs.

I know your not beating me up, I take no offence to anyone's opinion. I believe what I believe, it doesn't make me right or wrong is just my perspective. I do live in a rural community with 6 acres of my own surrounded by 100s of acres of wood and farm land. I have been an athletc and body builder my entire adult life so my fitness level might be better positions for my choices. I too have to make a living & the path I follow might be in conflict with my ideals today but we start our journey when we are younger. What I held important 20 years ago are not the same as today. We controled the things we can and the things we can't will always find a way. I have no illusions that I can change the world but I can do things that change my impact on it. I am nobody, just a small employer of a few people that has thoughts.

 

[Eyeshade]

No one commented on the cost of gas compared to the cost of gold but I did some more research and calculating. It might be of interest for those who believe increasing oil prices cause inflation. I believe deficit spending and the devaluation of our dollar are the main causes that drive oil prices up. It is a dirty political tactic to give people more than they deserve (spending more than the populace pays for), printing money with nothing behind it (devaluing the dollar), watching our trading partners (the oil producing nations) raise their prices, then complain that the oil producers cause inflation. It is a secret tax and that is one way we pay for our excesses. But here is some data.
I looked at how many gallons of crude oil an ounce of gold would buy over 30 years. In 1982-1985 (a 4 year period) 1 ounce bought 12.6 gallons of crude.

In 1999-2002 (4 year period) 1 ounce bought 12.7 gallons of crude.

In 2007-2010 (4 years period) 1 ounce of gold bought 12.9 gallons of oil.

In 2011 (1 full year) 1 ounce of gold bought 15.1 gallons of crude.

In Jan 2012 (1 month) 1 ounce of gold bought 15.5 gallons of crude.

Do you see a pattern here?

The oil producers are getting less gold for the same gallon of oil over the last 30 years. In 2012 they are getting almost 15% less than they did in 2007 to 2010.

Have any of you ever seen this reported? No, it is easier to blame some Arab country for our spending problems than to recognize the impact of our out of control spending. IT CAUSES INFLATION, there is no way around it.

 

[Eyeshade]

I have another teaser for you who run a business. Maybe you can comment on whether the business shown below is a good business, one in which you would be happy investing your money. I modified the numbers for simplicity but the ratios are all correct and they are true numbers from a real business over a one year period.

Revenues $383,221
Cost of Goods Sold 233,751
---------
Gross Margin 149,470 39% Gross Margin
Operating Expenses 97,449
----------
Profit before Tax 52,021 13.6% Profit before income tax
Income Taxes 21,561 40.6 % of Profits
---------
Profit after Tax 31,460 7.9% of Total Revenue
Paid to Owner - 8,779 Owner Draw

Deprecation/Amortization
and other non-cash
expenses that hit the
income statement + 17,953
--------
Cash from business 40,634

Purchase of New
Equipment - 26,871
Paid Loan Payment - 6,210
--------
Cash left over 7,553

What are your guys thoughts? Wait, one more piece of info. The owner has invested $298,308 of their own money into the business and is offering to sell it to me...or anyone....for $413,470. Is this a smoking deal or a donkey?

 

[rsewill]

No one commented on the cost of gas compared to the cost of gold but I did some more research and calculating. It might be of interest for those who believe increasing oil prices cause inflation. I believe deficit spending and the devaluation of our dollar are the main causes that drive oil prices up. It is a dirty political tactic to give people more than they deserve (spending more than the populace pays for), printing money with nothing behind it (devaluing the dollar), watching our trading partners (the oil producing nations) raise their prices, then complain that the oil producers cause inflation. It is a secret tax and that is one way we pay for our excesses. But here is some data.
I looked at how many gallons of crude oil an ounce of gold would buy over 30 years. In 1982-1985 (a 4 year period) 1 ounce bought 12.6 gallons of crude.

In 1999-2002 (4 year period) 1 ounce bought 12.7 gallons of crude.

In 2007-2010 (4 years period) 1 ounce of gold bought 12.9 gallons of oil.

In 2011 (1 full year) 1 ounce of gold bought 15.1 gallons of crude.

In Jan 2012 (1 month) 1 ounce of gold bought 15.5 gallons of crude.

Do you see a pattern here?

The oil producers are getting less gold for the same gallon of oil over the last 30 years. In 2012 they are getting almost 15% less than they did in 2007 to 2010.

Have any of you ever seen this reported? No, it is easier to blame some Arab country for our spending problems than to recognize the impact of our out of control spending. IT CAUSES INFLATION, there is no way around it.

Obviously you mean barrels of oil, not gallons. And inflation is good unless it gets out if hand.

 

[Eyeshade]

barrels is correct, thanks.

 

[varmint]

The gold/oil ratio is curious, but I think one has to take into account the changing price of gold over time: in 2002 it was around $300 an ounce, and today it is closer to $1800- a wild increase caused by what some think is a bubble.

Gold Price History

Oil hasn't increased six-fold, no matter how you look at it. Taking into account inflation, maybe it has doubled? I am too lazy to figure it out.