Nations divided by a common language

[Pdxfashionpioneer]

Even with the Imperial vs. US gallon differential, 40mpg or whatever the correction would come to is real economical by US standards.

The American nameplates produce more trucks than automobiles (at least they did a few years ago) because so many of us Yanks use pickup trucks as cars. That trend really took off after it became easier to get the big-inch, high-horsepower V-8s in a truck than a car.

Remember, the biggest reason gasoline is so expensive in Europe is the taxes that are put on it. Here in the US, the oil companies actually get a tax incentive for producing gasoline. It's a holdover from the Second World War when the War Department was desperate for gasoline for jeeps, trucks, tanks and airplanes they were buying in dizzying numbers.

[crfriend]

The American nameplates produce more trucks than automobiles (at least they did a few years ago) because so many of us Yanks use pickup trucks as cars. That trend really took off after it became easier to get the big-inch, high-horsepower V-8s in a truck than a car.

The trend of private pickup-trucks got kicked off in high style when Ronnie and Nancy Reagan gave each other matching trucks one Christmas sometime back in the 1980s. It's been downhill since, both in fuel economy and style. Of note is that it is possible to get a big-block V8 into a remarkably small chassis but there's little point. The USA has a moderately low speed-limit and the longest sight-line you're ever going to get ends at the arse-end of the monster truck in front of you, so what's really the point of having a massive mill under the bonnet? (One thing I find hilarious is how much monster-truck drivers hate getting stuck behind other monster-trucks -- and how hard they jockey for position, only to end up stuck behind another one after causing much risk and grief on the motorway with their antics.)

And, yes, I believe that "light trucks" still outsell automobiles in the USA. The answer to this is to include "light trucks" in the "passenger" category for the federal CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) regulations and make them adhere to the same safety standards as passenger vehicles. Also, local regulations could be reverted to where they were 40 years ago where trucks had to be registered as commercial vehicles. This would make them more expensive to those who drive them as a show of conspicuous consumption but would be a wash for real businesses who use them as work trucks as the registration gets written out of the taxes as a business expense.

Remember, the biggest reason gasoline is so expensive in Europe is the taxes that are put on it. Here in the US, the oil companies actually get a tax incentive for producing gasoline. It's a holdover from the Second World War when the War Department was desperate for gasoline for jeeps, trucks, tanks and airplanes they were buying in dizzying numbers.

There's a 20-something cent per gallon tax on gasoline here in the US, but the oil producers are moderately interested in keeping the price ever-so-slightly below an overt pain-point that would make US consumers reconsider ditching the gas-guzzling monster-trucks in favour of more efficient automobiles. (And it's also worth noting that there is only a tangential relationship between the price of crude oil and the price of refined gasoline.) The incentives amount to Corporate Welfare and cost the citizenry billions of dollars per year.

[moonshadow]

I think it also has to do with a strong "pro truck" mentality in the U.S., especially around these parts. Everybody has a truck, including yours truly. Granted my truck isn't a big honking big rig, but it sure is handy for moving things around.

Pickup trucks are just so convenient. Although I wouldn't mind buying a small one sort of like the old 'pups of the late 80's and 90's. Sadly they don't seem to make those anymore. Seems all pickups are enormous now, and they're all at least $40,000.

I once had a little Isuzu pickup, 4 cylinder, 5 speed. No power windows, steering, etc. No stock air conditioner, just a VERY basic little truck. I loved the little truck, but it had a serious problem with the engine and I finally got rid of it.

The truck I have now is old and worn out, but it still gets me around, and still hauls, and I'm pleased to say that today it has achieved a fresh passing VA inspection sticker for the year. It has the V6 so it's not really big on power, but it pulls my little 4X8 trailer when I need do, hauls garbage, and anything else I've loaded on it, and generally is a good vehicle to have in the driveway. Purchased for $600 3 years ago, and in that length of time I have replaced a fan clutch, fuel pump, front wheel bearing, two wiper blades, and a muffler.

Also, with it's beaten and banged up body that's half rusted out, I enjoy riding around in it while wearing skirts and dresses, as it just seems to throw everybody off when I step out!

[Tor]

Also, local regulations could be reverted to where they were 40 years ago where trucks had to be registered as commercial vehicles. This would make them more expensive to those who drive them as a show of conspicuous consumption but would be a wash for real businesses who use them as work trucks as the registration gets written out of the taxes as a business expense.

Not quite. For many outright businesses it wouldn't matter because they already do, but it would make things more expensive for the smaller folk who do their work with personal registration vehicles. AFAIK, costs are deducted from gross income to get net income taxes are based on, so an increase in registration fees only nets a 30% of fees reduction in taxes, so 70% or so of the increased cost does come out of people's pockets.

Second, exactly where do you draw the line? Round about these parts pickups (I don't care for them myself, though) are great for going to the beach which people do a lot of here, because it give you an easy place for all that wet beach gear and those surfboards and boogie boards without making a mess of the car.

[denimini]

Pickup trucks are just so convenient. Although I wouldn't mind buying a small one sort of like the old 'pups of the late 80's and 90's. Sadly they don't seem to make those anymore. Seems all pickups are enormous now, and they're all at least $40,000.

I once had a little Isuzu pickup, 4 cylinder, 5 speed. No power windows, steering, etc. No stock air conditioner, just a VERY basic little truck. I loved the little truck, but it had a serious problem with the engine and I finally got rid of it.

They are handy, usually called utes in our language. I have a little Subaru Brumby, known as a Brat in the US, which has served me well.

Also, with it's beaten and banged up body that's half rusted out, I enjoy riding around in it while wearing skirts and dresses, as it just seems to throw everybody off when I step out!

I love the incongruous.

[oldsalt1]

Yes Hillary does know about foreign countries . She knows how to get the influential people of these countries to contribute to her foundation for favors.
But than again "WHAT DOES IT MATTER" it was not her daughter that was killed in a an attack that was caused by a film. Oh wait it wasn't caused by a film . that is only what she lied about when she talked to the families.
Shall we start in with the evidence that she deleted

[Gregg1100]

As an outsider, from what I have seen and heard, I sincerely hope that trump is not elected to be big white chief of America. Something seriously wrong with him.

[crfriend]

Put quite bluntly, there's not a single one of 'em that's even remotely acceptable as either Emperor OR Commander in Chief. All of the current crop of "candidates" will further or accelerate USA's now-inevitable slide into oblivion -- my main worry is how to minimise the risk for my fellow mankind in other countries. If the missiles fly, mankind as a species loses.

[Kirbstone]

I would regard Hillary as the lesser risk for the Oval Office. At least she is politically a known quantity.

This side of the Pond we've had Angela Merkel practically running the EU single handed for a number of years and she would freely admit to having made a few big mistakes.

New girl on the Block of course is Theresa May, who has been handed a poisoned chalice, but is set on making the b(rexit)est of it.

Tom

[Disaffected.citizen]

I would regard Hillary as the lesser risk for the Oval Office. At least she is politically a known quantity.

This side of the Pond we've had Angela Merkel practically running the EU single handed for a number of years and she would freely admit to having made a few big mistakes.

New girl on the Block of course is Theresa May, who has been handed a poisoned chalice, but is set on making the b(rexit)est of it.

Tom

I'm inclined to agree there; but "Brexit" won, and I think we're heading towards a new age of nationalist socialism

If The Donald wins, I think he will either be exactly the way he has campaigned (in which case the fallout may well be nuclear) or he will reveal it was all a ruse to get into office and be a great statesman; I doubt there will be anything mundane!

[Pdxfashionpioneer]

If you watched the debate you would know there is no chance that the blustering bully and buffoon that Trump usually displays is no ruse. It's the real deal. The man's a case.

The Clintons are the most investigated public figures on the planet and Hillary has not been charged with ANYTHING by any legal authority. 11 Congressional investigations on Benghazi, including that 11 hour long marathon, have concluded that there was no wrongdoing. Cong. Daryl Issa (?) (R), Orange County, CA, one of the most conservative congressional districts in the country, lead one of those investigations. The man defines partisan crank. His committee on govt. oversight released its very extensive report late on a Friday afternoon so that as far as media attention goes it would fly under the radar, because they concluded there was no there there.

Hillary doesn't escape indictment by destroying evidence; there's no evidence to uncover let alone destroy because she has broken any laws!

But if you want to get into shenanigans at foundations, bring it!!

There are at least 9 different criminal acts committed by the Trump Foundation. The Clinton Foundation, ZERO. How do we know? The Clinton Fdtn is audited every year. To pass audit they have to be in full compliance w/ all applicable laws.

The Trump Foundation doesn't even have the required state license to solicit outside funds. And has never been audited.

[oldsalt1]

In order for this world to survive in its present form the USA needs to be major force. If Hillary wins we will only continue on our path to third world status that Obama has started us on.

The world is afraid of Trump because they are not sure what he is going to do.

Going back to Regan You remember the hostage problem we had. Carter could not solve it. just as Regan was being inaugurated the hostages were released.
This is because they were afraid of what he was going to do.

Trump is not going to launch But he damn sure is not going to kiss everybody's " A "around the world Or sell us out for contributions to his foundation.

As far as Hillary not being charged. Did the US Attorney General have a private meeting with Mrs Trump.

The FBI has been bought off by pressure from Obama

I am a CPA and have gone thru these Audits . While the audits may disclose who gave to the foundations. They don't uncover what was given to the contributors for their donations.

Now lets talk about the fairness of the IRS how many NOT FOR PROFIT Democratic leaning applications were delayed

[crfriend]

Hillary doesn't escape indictment by destroying evidence; there's no evidence to uncover let alone destroy because she has broken any laws!

Hillary also has friends in very high places who can trivially fix things. To wit the FBI backing down in the investigation over the e-mail debacle and the handling of classified information (mainly the latter). Had that server belonged to anybody in the "little people" class they would already have been disappeared. She gets a pass by virtue of being the Anointed One. (Contemplate how fast I'd have been taken down had that thing belonged to me, or any of the rest of us.)

From a strictly domestic perspective, there's not a one of them that's even remotely qualified to hold the office; there's not even a "lesser of evils". Internationally, there likely is a "lesser of evils" and it's probably "anybody but Trump" (Our non-US contingent here can best speak to that).

I've joked before about Hillary amounting to "Dubya in drag" once installed, but I'm beginning to think that "Dick Cheney in drag" might be a bit more appropriate as there are remarkable parallels in there, especially along the lines of perceived entitlement, high privilege, and unbridled ambition. Dubya lacked ambition (as well as intelligence), instead counting on entitlement; Cheney and Clinton have all three, and especially the third, in spades.

[oldsalt1]

If you watched the debate you would know there is no chance that the blustering bully and buffoon that Trump usually displays is no ruse. It's the real deal. The man's a case.

And if you are going to resort to name calling Lets put a simple one on Hillary " Liar " Just ask the parents of the people killed in Bengazi when she told them how a video was the cause of their son"s death

[crfriend]

If Hillary wins we will only continue on our path to third world status that Obama has started us on.

We've been on that trajectory since 1980, save that nobody noticed it then because it started so slowly. The rate-of-fall has grown exponentially since then, and passed the point of no return sometime around 2010. There are no brakes now that can arrest it, the last vestiges of control having been stripped away.