The problem isn't the oil prices--it's the inflation. As a country we're carrying far too much government, business, and personal debt and everyone else is buying the notes as fast as they can. That makes our dollars worth less and less. The price of oil has not gone up at all when measured on the gold standard. When you spend more money than you take in, the "full faith and credit" of the United States is worth less and less.

In short, it's not Hummer's fault the economy's in the toilet. Rather it's the yuppies making the $800 a month payment on the note and using credit to buy groceries.

 

In essence you could say it IS the Hummer's fault, though, because most are owned by wanna-be-rich middle class folk who as you mention are living beyond their means to buy or lease it. But they "have to" have it. To keep up w/ the Jones's.

It all comes down to Americans being too into self-indulgence (over spending) and not enough into self-sacrifice (saving and living within means).

 

Actually an article I read not to long ago....Which I would be happy to paste a link when I get my new computer (my current computer doesnt copy paste).... The prius is only designed to last 100,000 miles due to the batteries need replacing and the hummer with some maintenance will last at least 250,000....plus to run the hummer down the road it only cost 2.95 a mile and its about 3.95 a mile for the prius if you use the mileage given. I will post the article as soon as i get my new computer!!! Oh yeah and its not the Hummers fault more like the Prius

 

To say that high demand for fuel in part is not the result of gas guzzlers and bad personal choices is quite inaccurate, to the point of almost being ludicrous.

 

People are going to "guzzle" gas whether they're driving an SUV or a small hybrid car. I think Hummer has gotten a raw deal over the whole mileage issue when Toyota guzzles more gas than any other production SUV/truck lineup. Even if Hummer folded tomorrow, gasoline usage would still be increasing in this country just because they have so little market share anyway. The simple truth is that people will spend the money on fuel if they have the money to do it without crowding out the 50-inch plasma screen, the McMansion, and the ski vacation in Keystone.

As long as people keep paying for gas on credit, the prices will continue to rise.