Boy, I cant wait to help these guys out

[Ron F]

Sounds like it's time to start drilling for that off shore oil.

[RussBarnes]

CA is asking for help, so is MA, humm, wonder what parties rule each state? I can't say, but you can check and they are the same........

[fmaxwell]

Originally Posted by Ron F

Sounds like it's time to start drilling for that off shore oil.

Given the massive spills in the Gulf after hurricane Ike (Hurricane Ike, Missing Drill Rig, And Oil Spills: It's The System That Leaks : TreeHugger), perhaps we should investigate other options -- like smart cars.

How about some tax incentives to buy fuel-efficient cars?

How about CAFE standards with teeth: Require that manufacturers meet them, increase the required economy, and amend them to include standards for light trucks (SUVs, minivans, pickups).

Prohibit light trucks from traveling in the left lane of multi-lane Interstate highways. Raise the left lane speed limit by 5mph at the same time.

Tie speeding fines to the mass of the vehicle (a Hummer traveling at 70mph is a much greater threat to the public than a smart fortwo traveling that speed).

For every two 15mpg SUVs that we get replaced with smart cars, Yarises, Corollas, Priuses, Civics, etc., it's cutting fuel consumption in half (or better).

[fmaxwell]

Originally Posted by RussBarnes

CA is asking for help, so is MA, humm, wonder what parties rule each state? I can't say, but you can check and they are the same........

The Governor of CA is a Republican and the Governor of MA is a Democrat.

Those states, and others, are in trouble because the economy is -- not because of what party happens to be in office. Neither state could have prevented the financial meltdown that's caused credit to dry up on a nationwide scale.