It's no surprise that the e-mail boycotts are back. This one calls for a strike on May 15th that for that day we don't buy gas, which will apparently (and inexplicably) lead oil companies adjust their prices down for the American consumer. From the Charlotte Observer:
A one day "gas out," the note claims, will cost oil companies billions of dollars and tempt them to lower fuel prices. A similar campaign 10 years ago led to a 30-cent drop, it alleges.
Of course, the 30-cent drop is unproven. More from the Observer:
Boycotting gasoline at the pump for a day is analogous to the fat guy who boycotts the "Biggie Fries" for one day as a means of dieting," said Tom Kloza, chief analyst for the Oil Price Information Service. "It accomplishes nothing."
Mr. Kloza is right. Boycotting gas for 1 day will accomplish nothing, especially when you consider most people will fuel up the day before or the day after, making virtually zero impact to any oil company's balance sheet. The money they didn't get on the 15th they get on the 14th or 16th.
Another newspaper states that the boycott is high on symbolism, and less on effect.
My advice?
- Consider purchasing some stock in these companies. They have a product that is always in demand, and the demand GOES UP as they raise the price. If demand stayed flat or went down, I could understand, but apparently people have too much "stuff to do" to bother changing their driving habits. Which also leads to...
- Consider changing your driving habits. Carpool once a week. Try talking your employer into teleworking once a week (or every other week). Use mass transit if you have access to it. Plan better driving trips. Slow down. All these can be helpful.
Ok, that's my rant.
I'd be interested if anyone is going to boycott on May 15th. Let's pay attention to keep note how the 15th Boycott impacts anything. I'm not holding my breath.
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