I got a forwarded email from a friend today calling for a boycott of the gas and oil industry on Wed, May 19, 2004. My response is posted below:
Things like this may sound great on paper and in print, but in practice,they don't work. Problem is that everyone still drives those days and therefore, they need gas, so they fill up the day before. Studies have been done on the effectiveness of this type of "boycott", and it just shows that a few days before and a few days after, people buy more gas to make up for the loss over one day. Gas and oil companies are not effected by this. Unfortunately, the only way for something to effect them profoundly, is to shut the country down for one day. Close all stores, all businesses, and shut down the entire highway and road infrastructure. Not feasible. However, that is the only way to truelyhurt their bottom line.
Believe me, I would like for nothing more than to really stick it to them, this just isn't the way to do it.
i thought the exact same thing. buying gas is not a luxury -- we'll make it up the day before or after.
make a difference - shop for efficient cars (which is a good thing this gas thing will promote) and on the more immediate term: car pool or take mass transit.
Posted by: john at May 17, 2004 09:49 AMThat was the same opinion I had. I hate when people forward me emails that say "send this to everyone you know" because even if it's a good idea in theory, it's just junk mail.
The best way to stick it to them, in my opinion, would be for everyone to walk or take public transportation to whereever they need to go for a WEEK. But people are lazy so it would never happen. I'm one of those lazy people. ;)
Posted by: stacey at May 17, 2004 05:21 PMOR.. everyone could work from home and then you don't have to drive to work everyday! But, sometimes we just make excuses to drive places...especially if you just got a new car!
Posted by: Claire at May 19, 2004 07:53 AM