[AT] Fwd: Want cheaper gas to keep the old iron running? Review of prices of other items.

[Rick Weaver]

Cecil,

I can agree with what you have said, the fix we're in is not something
that has happened overnight or is the result of any one person or party.

I also agree that the CEO's are overpaid, however, the prevailing
marketplace is willing to pay that to get a good one.  The multi-million
dollar severance and bonus packages are outrageous but this is one
problem I have no idea how to resolve, unless you change capitalism
itself.  Shareholder value is what CEO's are paid for these days and if
they increase the stock price with their leadership (either good or
bad), then they are considered a success.  Bottom line is that everyone
is greedy, including the shareholders most of all.  I should know - I'm
one of them via my funds in the 401k and other investments.  The thing I
look at is that BOTTOM LINE.

Rick 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of Cecil Bearden
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 4:24 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] Fwd: Want cheaper gas to keep the old iron running?
Review of prices of other items.

I really would like to find a rational reason why the chrysler turbines 
were not produced.  I have looked at the site 
www.fuelefficientvehicles.org  and remember the chrysler turbine car 
that was in Oklahoma City.  The only real complaint that anyone had was 
that it had a high pitched whine..  I would think that air cleaner 
problems could be resolved.  The gear reduction problems could be 
resolved.  If there was a problem with the engine not running at full 
load, then that could also be resolved. 

My gripe is that now that I have retired and have time to fix, rebuild, 
repair, use, and maybe show the 20 or so old tractors that I have 
collected over the years, I don't have enough money to pay for the gas 
or diesel to run them or even pull a trailer to go get  one for 
parts.    The sheep flock that I nurtured over the past 8 years to use 
as a supplement to my retirement now bring little more at the sale than 
the fuel to get them there.  I don't blame any one party for the mess we

are in right now, I only blame the leadership.   By leadership, I mean 
both private and government sectors.  Oil companies are making record 
profits, gasoline and diesel fuel is at an all time high.  I remember 
the 70's, gas in Okla was about  70 cents, we had price controls and we 
had gas lines.  Now we only have a shortage of cheap gas.  There are no 
lines waiting to buy gas. 
But again, I point the accusing finger at the leadership.  The oil 
company executives are getting exorbitant salaries.  Look at the CEO of 
large corporations, the ones that are going bankrupt are getting million

dollar bonuses and stock options for leaving a company bankrupt!!!!!!!!
I
 grew up where if you did not work you did not stay!!! 


If you want to compare prices
in 1970-1972
gas was $0.30
Cattle were $.30/lb
wheat was $2.68/bushel
new pickup was $2500.00
I made $5.00/hr working at the tractor shop.
An average new house in OKC was about $35,000
Doctor Office call was $20.00
McDonald's burger was $0.29
Road tax on diesel was $0.17
36HP  MF Diesel tractor $4000
loaf of Bread $0.29

NOW               INCREASE
gas is $3.40        (11.3 X)
cattle are $1.10/lb   (3.6 X)
wheat is $4.62     (2.2 X)
new pickup is $22,000   (9 X)
I just retired from a govt job at $25/hr    (5 X)
A starter house in OKC is $90,000  (2.4 X)
Doctor office Call is $100     (5 X)
McDonald's Burger is $1.00   (3.3  X)
Road Tax on Diesel is $0.385  (2.3 X)
40HP diesel MF tractor  $15,000  ( 3.75 X)
loaf of Bread  $1.49   (5 X)

I cannot buy the line that gasoline is only in keeping with inflation.  
The 2 items that stand out in inflated prices is fuel and vehicles. Fuel

prices in the US drive inflation.  We have not begun to really feel the 
effect high fuel prices are going to cause in the next year. 

I only wish I could find my old Agriculture Economics professor who told

me in 1973 that small tractors would be a premium in 20 years.
Just my $.02
Cecil in OKla


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