May 5, 2006

StreetTalk by Carol Rosen

Gas prices are up an average if 25-30 cents per gallon nationally. How is this impacting your driving habits? What’s your opinion of the cause of the increased prices?
(Asked at SaveMart, Aborn and White Roads)


“I just don’t drive as far as I did. I stay in the neighborhood. I don’t know what is causing it.”

Valerie Carr, 22
Evergreen
Evergreen Valley College student and part time bank teller


“I can’t go anywhere because my car guzzles gas. I drive my girlfriend’s car so I don’t blow $20 just going to the grocery store. I don’t know the cause. I think it’s because the gasoline reserves are low and there are troubles with Iraq. I think they [the government] are saving gas because they’re going to go to war with Iran.”

Matthew Santos, 19
Evergreen
Evergreen Valley College student


“I have slowed down, I don’t have a big car and I’ve cut back on my driving. We have no control over gas prices and [what] Congress is [doing is] a total joke. If they really wanted to do something they would end the war in Iraq. I’ve worked as a stockbroker and a banker. If the oil companies would use their money to explore for new sources of oil, that would be okay, but more often it’s being used to line their own pockets. I’m appalled at where America is going today because of George Bush.”

Jack Leathers, 73
Evergreen
Retired


“Nobody can drive that much. It cost my mom about $60 to fill her car up. Generally we just stay in the neighborhood. My brother just got his license and he can’t drive because of the cost of gas. I think it’s the war in Iraq [that’s causing the increased prices]; because when it started gas prices went up.”

Mark Bacani, 13
Evergreen
Eighth grader at Quimby Oak Middle School


“I still drive, but it makes it pretty hard. I have a job, but most of the money from my paycheck goes to pay for gas. I think the president and the oil industry together are the cause. I think they should leave the price alone for at least a month. They change it every day.”

Shyree McGuiness, 18
Evergreen
Senior at Evergreen Valley High School


“Absolutely, I drive less. When I do go out, I take care of everything I can. I would buy a hybrid but I can’t afford one. I think there are lots of things causing the price increases; this so-called stupid war that isn’t really a war but an occupation and manipulation by the oil companies who own everything [the pipelines, the refineries and the gas stations]. It’s just a monopoly.”

Paula Jones
Evergreen
Laid off employee


“It’s causing problems for the entire family. It costs too much to drive across the valley and our kids, who live in Modesto and work in Fremont, are just working for gas money. The price is getting too high to go anywhere. I think maybe the president could do something to stop this but I don’t think he wants to do anything.”

Pablo Sanchez, 70
Evergreen
Retired


“I walk my children to Carolyn Clark School now, I make four trips. In general, I’m walking more and not using the SUV. When I drive I use my Honda, the big car stays in the garage. I think the oil company CEOs are behind the increases, but perhaps it’s also [because of] summer. Gas prices usually go up in the summer [months] when people want to drive to vacations.”

Parveen Panikar
Evergreen
Homemaker