Entry for July 25, 2007

The price of gas has gone up so much in the last few years that we now have to sort of actually think if we want to go on that long drive, just to get out of the house. It wasnt that long ago we were paying under two dollars a gallon. Sure, there have been many comparisons stating how much other liquids cost per gallon. That would be fine if we actually needed a gallon of that item at any given moment. We will never need a gallon of whiteout at one time, and if you drink a gallon of Nyquil, you probably should be in the hospital. We need to put these things in perspective. We also would never purchase on a nor,al basis 15 to 20 gallons of these products at one time, for any reason. So to all the price comparisons for other products, it makes no sense. Its fun to see, but really has no relevense to the price of gas.

So this brings me to my next topic. Corn. It has been suggested and actually used to turn corn into fuel to try and replace oil. This is a wonderfully green idea. And if we actually could produce enough corn to make a difference in the economy and the price of gas, I would be right there cheering this concept on. But we dont have enough empty lots, fields, farms or any other patch of land to produce enough corn oil to fuel our cars. Really, it takes so much corn to produce a gallon of corn oil, right now its jsut a feasable project, in my opinion. But they can work on it to make it more efficient.

Now, on to the side effects of the corn for oil issues. the first thing we heard about was that it was effecting the hispanic population buy making Tacos more expensive. Lets just list a few of the items John and i have heard that will be increasing in price due to the corn oil for fuel.

1. Masa-this is self explanatary

2. Beef- They feed the cows corn, the corn is now used for fuel

3. Milk- this is a by product of the cow

4. Butter- Another by product of the cow

5. Chicken- again, chicken are fed corn

6. Eggs- Byproduct

7. Tequilla - Agave farmers have discovered they can make more money growing corn, so they change their crops to corn

8. Soap- A lot of soap is made from the fat of cows, who eat corn. This is a little at the far end of the game, but it will happen.

9. Any other item that may be possibly connected to corn. anythiing made from cornmeal, whic really is a lot. Expect those corndogs at the fair to jump to gourmet prices.

I know this is getting a little long here, so I will end it soon. I also dont talk about serious stuff that often, so this is a change. Ther are other alternatives, but that would require drilling on our own land. We do have our own oil supplies, but we arent allowed to access them. I guess paying higher prices at the pump will soon change, but we will be paying higher prices everywhere else. Either way, we will soon be seperated from our cash in many more ways. Go Green, Grow Corn

Ok, on that note, I will say good night for now.