... sometimes you get what you need
A little perspective:
Petrol prices in the UK are currently the equivalent of $8.468 a gallon. And this is not some sudden, astronomically huge price hike. The last time we paid less than $4 a gallon was 1996 (approximately 52.9p per litre. In 1997 it rose to 57.9p per litre). Factoring in inflation (although I can't be bothered to work out the exchange rates for each year) the last time we actually paid less than $4 a gallon was 1986 ($3.86 a gallon, in 1987 it rose to $4.02).
Might I suggest that sir follows this sterling chap's example and invests in one of these?
Source: SpeedLimit.org
Comments
I think what the fuel price lobby are missing is that you don't get things cheap just because you want them to be. This is just the beginning, and oil is only going to get more expensive. For the first few months (collectively) we'll just try to suck it up and absorb the extra cost. Over the next 20 years though -- because that's how long it'll take -- we'll adapt. Either a cheaper fuel will take over, or Americans will embrace cycling and public transport. 20 years is long enough for even somewhere like, ooh, Tampa, to get itself a decent mass transit system -- or for its population to move out to somewhere that has one.