Obama out of touch with working class Americans.

[Cancel 2016.2]

http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/autosblog/index.php?blogid=1097

President Barack Obama told a town hall meeting today in Fairless Hills, Penn., that drivers upset about high gas prices have a solution -- buy a new more fuel efficient vehicle.

And the president suggested buyers consider an American car.

If I am going to buy a fuel efficient car it will be from Toyota, Nissan or Honda.

"We can't just drill our way out of the problem. And that's why the second thing we can do is increase efficiency on cars and trucks, which is where most of our oil is used. (Applause.) Now, I notice some folks clapped, but I know some of these big guys, they're all still driving their big SUVs. You know, they got their big monster trucks and everything. You're one of them? Well, now, here's my point. If you're complaining about the price of gas and you're only getting eight miles a gallon -- (laughter) -- you may have a big family, but it's probably not that big," Obama said. "How many you have? Ten kids, you say? Ten kids? (Laughter.) Well, you definitely need a hybrid van then. (Laughter.)"

Obama is quite out of touch with working class Americans.

Obama noted that automakers had reached a deal in 2009 to hike fuel efficiency standards. And he again touted electric vehicles

"The third thing we can do is we can start looking at electric cars, and maybe natural gas cars, so that we're not just using petroleum to power our vehicles," he said.

and 'maybe' Nat gas cars? Well, at least the schmuck mentioned the best option we have available. But I bet this entire point gets missed do to his mocking people complaining about high gas prices.

But if the vehicle isn't fuel efficient enough it may be time to trade it in, Obama said.

"If you're getting eight miles a gallon you may want to think about a trade-in. You can get a great deal. I promise you, GM or Ford or Chrysler, they're going to be happy to give you a deal on something that gets you better gas mileage," Obama said.

Yes, I am sure they are happy to sell us that new insanely high priced Chevy piece of shit Volt or some such nonsense.

I wonder if the Messiah knows that most of the electric cars and hybrids are out of the price range of most Americans right now? I wonder if the ONE recognizes that his buddies at the big investment banks haven't done much to loosen credit to the average working class American?

No... he simply wants to mock them. Great leadership Saint Obama.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

What would some office boy in a bank know about working class people? I bet the only calluses you have are on your ass! LOL LOL LOL

 

[Onceler]

What do you expect? The guy's a millionaire quite a few times over, and lives in a bubble. Of course he's out of touch w/ working Americans.

In all seriousness, I am extremely disappointed w/ Obama & Democrats in general on energy issues. The continued opposition to new drilling is crazy to me; it's inevitable that we're going to expand drilling at some point...why not now?

One other note - I lived in DC & worked on Capitol Hill for about a year. It's like Disneyland for wonks...very few there are actually in touch w/ "working Americans"...

 

[Bonestorm]

What would some office boy in a bank know about working class people? I bet the only calluses you have are on your ass! LOL LOL LOL

Yeah, I don't think anyone that thinks that most Americans get their economic news from CNBC really has standing to assert that someone else is out of touch with working class people, but that's just me.

 

[Cancel 2016.2]

What would some office boy in a bank know about working class people? I bet the only calluses you have are on your ass! LOL LOL LOL

One of us has actually worked in a union. At least one of us has actually worked in a factory. My bet is.... it isn't you.

The 'working class people' nonsense of 'if you aren't blue collar, you don't work hard' is simply the lefts line of bullshit. It was used by me to mock idiots like you.

 

[Cancel 2016.2]

Yeah, I can't say anything bad about my messiah, so I am going to try and divert this to an attack on Superfreak with something completely irrelevant to the topic.

Thanks.

 

[leaningright]

I completely agree with SF's OP. I think that most of the Washingtonian Political sorts are completely out of touch. Gas is nearly $4 a gallon. I'm struggling to get by fianancially as it is and thier (his) solution is to rush out, go in debt even more and buy a Volt??? A hybrid van???? Wow.

After our conversation on fuel prices yesterday I went home then went to the local station, drank coffee and watched about 20 vehicles pull in to get fuel. Out of the 20, I know for certain that only one was at an income level of $25,000 a year or more...and yes I would describe that one as a millionaire. The 19 are the people who are getting hurt the most. [sarcasm]You bet they can afford to run out and buy a different vehicle.[/sarcasm]

I am with Oncelor on this too

In all seriousness, I am extremely disappointed w/ Obama & Democrats in general on energy issues. The continued opposition to new drilling is crazy to me; it's inevitable that we're going to expand drilling at some point...why not now?

They said it would take 10 years to see some sort of effect of expanded domestic drilling....they said the same thing ten years ago. Expand domestic drilling (creating more jobs for normal Americans) and aggressively pursue conversion to natural gas and other alternative fuels (creating even more tech jobs). It seems so easy to me...that's why I'm wrong I suppose.

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

While Toyota, Honda, Ect. aren't American owned cars, a lot are made in America. So strictly speaking buying from those companies doesn't mean you aren't buying American. Plus, when you escape the SUV and Truck markets, a lot of American cars (not all mind you) are fuel efficient. You have Mazda for example, a Ford brand. The Chevy Cobolt can get 38mpg in it's sedan incarnation. Hell, my crown vic gets 31+ on the highway if I decide to obey the speed limit.

Now this isn't to detract from your idea that working class Americans aren't likely to buy a new, wastefully inexpensive new car right now. Just saying that there are 'American' cars that can compete.

 

[apple0154]

Here's a gas saver @ 30+ MPG. and probably pick it up for around 10 Gs. Save money and keep cool.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thru_the_night/3636962687/

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

Here's a gas saver @ 30+ MPG. and probably pick it up for around 10 Gs. Save money and keep cool.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thru_the_night/3636962687/

You know driving with the top down increase drag significantly and therefore causes the car to use significantly more gas to maintain the same speed? As in a lot more gas then with the AC on (over 40 MPH anyways). Same with driving with your windows down.

 

[Onceler]

There is almost a modern-day "let them eat cake" feel to some of what he's saying.

I'd much rather here him talk along the lines of how we're going to expand drilling, do a moon-shot thing on renewables, expand natural gas production...and then add that the "next time" they're in the market for a car, Americans can do their bit by going for a more energy efficient model...

 

[leaningright]

While Toyota, Honda, Ect. aren't American owned cars, a lot are made in America. So strictly speaking buying from those companies doesn't mean you aren't buying American. Plus, when you escape the SUV and Truck markets, a lot of American cars (not all mind you) are fuel efficient. You have Mazda for example, a Ford brand. The Chevy Cobolt can get 38mpg in it's sedan incarnation. Hell, my crown vic gets 31+ on the highway if I decide to obey the speed limit.

Now this isn't to detract from your idea that working class Americans aren't likely to buy a new, wastefully inexpensive new car right now. Just saying that there are 'American' cars that can compete.

That's the one area I do agree with Obama on. If I were to buy or recommend to someone to buy a car right now I would definitely buy/recommend American. No Toyotas, Nissans, etc. for me. While a lot of manufacturing goes on here, where the headquarters of the company is located means much more to me. Plus, a Chevy truck will pull better and get better fuel mileage than any of the Toyotas or Nissans I have compared them to. I mean actual comparison, not just the numbers the companies put out. I have friends who have Nissans and Toyotas and we have done side by side, year by year comarisons.

 

[leaningright]

There is almost a modern-day "let them eat cake" feel to some of what he's saying.

I'd much rather here him talk along the lines of how we're going to expand drilling, do a moon-shot thing on renewables, expand natural gas production...and then add that the "next time" they're in the market for a car, Americans can do their bit by going for a more energy efficient model...

Precisely. It makes no sense to think that someone's line of thinking is: "Oh no, fuel prices are rising. Honey, let's go in more debt and get a Hybrid."

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

That's the one area I do agree with Obama on. If I were to buy or recommend to someone to buy a car right now I would definitely buy/recommend American. No Toyotas, Nissans, etc. for me. While a lot of manufacturing goes on here, where the headquarters of the company is located means much more to me. Plus, a Chevy truck will pull better and get better fuel mileage than any of the Toyotas or Nissans I have compared them to. I mean actual comparison, not just the numbers the companies put out. I have friends who have Nissans and Toyotas and we have done side by side, year by year comarisons.

When people talk about 'buying American' their motive behind it is usually employing American workers. Since these foreign companies do employ a lot of auto workers, it's unfair to characterize them otherwise. Now since you're concerned about where their headquartered, that's more legitimate (though why you are concerned with corporate bigwigs is beyond me). In any event America will always dominate the truck market, mainly because we're the only country that needs them. When Russia becomes more prosperous, they might too.

 

[Bonestorm]

There is almost a modern-day "let them eat cake" feel to some of what he's saying.

I'd much rather here him talk along the lines of how we're going to expand drilling, do a moon-shot thing on renewables, expand natural gas production...and then add that the "next time" they're in the market for a car, Americans can do their bit by going for a more energy efficient model...

Maybe you should read his entire remarks where he talks about doing all of that, instead of getting SF's take on it.

The bottom line is that there is very little the federal government can do to lower gas prices in the near term. Expanded drilling will not do it. We don't have enough oil to appreciably impact global supply and prices and demand is increasing in China, India and the rest of the developing world. We also don't have the infrastructure to utilize other sources of energy for our transportation needs. I guess the federal government could lower the gas tax or do one of those gas tax holiday things, but that doesn't solve the problem and would result in significant shortfalls in the highway trust fund, which is already insufficient to pay for infrastructure needs.

That being the case, reducing gas consumption either by driving less (how unAmerican!) or getting a more fuel efficient vehicle (how out of touch!) are really the only things that consumers can do to blunt the impact of relatively high gas prices that will be with us for the foreseeable future, unless the economy tanks again.

Also, it doesn't upset me one bit that the president plugged the american auto industry. Why should it?

 

[Onceler]

Maybe you should read his entire remarks where he talks about doing all of that, instead of getting SF's take on it.

The bottom line is that there is very little the federal government can do to lower gas prices in the near term. Expanded drilling will not do it. We don't have enough oil to appreciably impact global supply and prices and demand is increasing in China, India and the rest of the developing world. We also don't have the infrastructure to utilize other sources of energy for our transportation needs. I guess the federal government could lower the gas tax or do one of those gas tax holiday things, but that doesn't solve the problem and would result in significant shortfalls in the highway trust fund, which is already insufficient to pay for infrastructure needs.

That being the case, reducing gas consumption either by driving less (how unAmerican!) or getting a more fuel efficient vehicle (how out of touch!) are really the only things that consumers can do to blunt the impact of relatively high gas prices that will be with us for the foreseeable future, unless the economy tanks again.

Also, it doesn't upset me one bit that the president plugged the american auto industry. Why should it?

I just searched for the full remarks, but it's pages of right-wing blogs w/ pretty much the excerpts that SF posted. I'd love to see the full thing, but would be surprised if he really talked about expanding domestic drilling. Did he really talk about that?

In my opinion, they should do it as aggressively as possible. They have their own energy agenda w/ regard to renewables & standards - it's a great compromise concession to the GOP. "We'll expand drilling if..."

As for taking 10 years & all that, anticipated future supply can certainly have an effect on keeping prices down now & in the next few years. And as for not having "enough" domestically, I'd love to see some reliable information on that. I've read everything from it will take at least 10 years but won't make a dent, to we can reduce foreign need by half in 5 years if we're aggressive about it.

I don't have an issue w/ him plugging the U.S. car industry...

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

That being the case, reducing gas consumption either by driving less (how unAmerican!) or getting a more fuel efficient vehicle (how out of touch!) are really the only things that consumers can do to blunt the impact of relatively high gas prices that will be with us for the foreseeable future, unless the economy tanks again.

There have been studies that show increase in fuel efficiency lead to an increase in driving, one that actually negates all the benefits from an increase in gas mileage.

 

[Bonestorm]

I just searched for the full remarks, but it's pages of right-wing blogs w/ pretty much the excerpts that SF posted. I'd love to see the full thing, but would be surprised if he really talked about expanding domestic drilling. Did he really talk about that?

In my opinion, they should do it as aggressively as possible. They have their own energy agenda w/ regard to renewables & standards - it's a great compromise concession to the GOP. "We'll expand drilling if..."

As for taking 10 years & all that, anticipated future supply can certainly have an effect on keeping prices down now & in the next few years. And as for not having "enough" domestically, I'd love to see some reliable information on that. I've read everything from it will take at least 10 years but won't make a dent, to we can reduce foreign need by half in 5 years if we're aggressive about it.

I don't have an issue w/ him plugging the U.S. car industry...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press...-discussion-energy-fairless-hills-pennsylvani

 

[Cancel 2016.2]

Maybe you should read his entire remarks where he talks about doing all of that, instead of getting SF's take on it.

By all means, if I missed part of his comments, LINK us up to them. Rather than simply telling people 'go find what I already have'. My take was on the comments in the article I LINKED to.

The bottom line is that there is very little the federal government can do to lower gas prices in the near term.

yeah, so the government should STATE that rather than mock those who are being hit with higher gas prices.

Expanded drilling will not do it. We don't have enough oil to appreciably impact global supply and prices and demand is increasing in China, India and the rest of the developing world. We also don't have the infrastructure to utilize other sources of energy for our transportation needs. I guess the federal government could lower the gas tax or do one of those gas tax holiday things, but that doesn't solve the problem and would result in significant shortfalls in the highway trust fund, which is already insufficient to pay for infrastructure needs.

Yeah.... and if our government would stop telling us how nothing can be done in the short run and actually start planning and making the long term changes then maybe we could get somewhere. Instead we get 30 years of a game of Pete rePete.

That being the case, reducing gas consumption either by driving less (how unAmerican!)

Who has said it is unAmerican to drive less? Most Americans are being forced to do just that because of higher prices. Hence the demand destruction discussion on the other thread.

or getting a more fuel efficient vehicle (how out of touch!)

He absolutely is out of touch to think the average American can simply run out and buy a newer more efficient vehicle given the pathetically weak state of the economy and the lack of credit available to the working class Americans.

are really the only things that consumers can do to blunt the impact of relatively high gas prices that will be with us for the foreseeable future, unless the economy tanks again.

Which it will if we see gas prices stay this high.

Also, it doesn't upset me one bit that the president plugged the american auto industry. Why should it?

Tell us... who is upset that he plugged the American auto industry???

 

[cawacko]

He makes a joke about having people needing big cars if they have 10 kids. I was at my sister's babysitting yesterday and she has a 3 1/2 year old and 4 month old twins. I know some of you have kids on this board. Any ever have that many around that age? My sister just got one of those massive Toyota Sequoias I believe it is. I don't know how many normal size cars can fit three kids seats comfortable across the back seat. (guess should through in they have a Burner as well so they need space for him)