jcd11235

Like one can never save money by financing a more fuel efficient vehicle if the currently own a vehicle outright, right? As mine have been. I didn't mention anything about safety or cool factor. Nor am I saying that it would. However, your spreadsheet appears to show the break even point, when in fact it ignores too many financial variables to do that accurately with any meaningful precision. Yes, but there is a wide variance of fuel economy among new vehicles, so it would not necessarily be much of an upgrade in vehicle as it is in fuel economy. Asset value is easy - it goes down, always. Generally, but not always true. Vehicles do not always lose value at the same rate, either, which should make a big difference in the a reasonable consideration of a vehicle switch. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

QFT Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Wanna say something topical? Or are you simply demonstrating that you have no valid point to make in this thread, either. Feel free to point out all the media accounts that make a big deal out of this incident. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

All cars require maintenance, but maintenance costs are not the same for all cars. Do you really think replacing the tires (for example) on a Civic costs as much as replacing the tires on an Expedition? Generally speaking, all of the imported vehicles I've owned have required less maintenance/fewer repairs than the domestic vehicles I've owned. IIRC, AAA calculated that SUV's typically have higher maintenance costs than small cars. It wasn't by a trivial amount, either. You might be surprised how much the price of insurance can vary among different models of mainstream vehicles. How can you know whether or not it's a good idea if you don't look at all of the important variables? Better driving habits can translate to increased fuel efficiency in any vehicle. True. And I was pointing out that sometimes it's cheaper to take on a car payment in exchange for increased fuel economy and possibly increased reliability. Also, if one considers asset value, rather than simply monthly expenses, it might (or might not) be a better decision to change vehicles even if fuel savings are not substantial. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Not necessarily true. It depends on the difference in mileage, number of miles driven per payment period, fuel price, difference in insurance rates and difference in maintenance costs. Monthly_Cost = Number_of_miles * Price_of_Fuel / Miles_per_gallon + Monthly_Insurance_cost + Monthly_maintenance_cost + Monthly_car_payment Monthly_Cost of present car minus Monthly_Cost of potential new car equals monthly savings. It's quite possible to go from a vehicle one owns free and clear to financing a new vehicle and still recognize monthly savings. There was a time within the past two years that I was driving 3000 miles per month on a regular basis. I know people that drive more than that. If I had owned my worst mileage vehicle, which got ~8 mpg, at today's $4 per gallon gas, that would have cost me $1500 a month in fuel alone each month. Trading for a vehicle that gets 20 mpg would offer $900 per month in fuel savings. If the new vehicle got 30 mpg, the fuel savings would be $1100 per month. $900-$1100 per month will cover a car payment and increase in insurance (we'll ignore the likely maintenance savings), and still leave extra money in my pocket. How does your spreadsheet handle increasing fuel costs, future trade in values, time value of money, changing maintenance costs, etc.? It's true that people need to consider more than MPG's alone when considering a new vehicle to save money. Even my model above oversimplifies things a bit, since it doesn't examine any of the above information, all of which is important over the life of a vehicle or vehicle loan/lease. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

I highlighted the part you seem to be missing. No requirement at all. Nor is there any requirement for the person to speak to the cop. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

A laughable comment, since it's been years since I've owned a television. What cops are allowed to do and what cops get away with are often very different things. I used to have a former cop (< 1 month off force) for a roommate, and he told me on more than one occasion that most people he's seen go to jail are there because they didn't know their rights. You should educate yourself. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Do you mean people have to choose one or the other? Do you realize how many people's day you just ruined with that information? Finding out that two lovers of opposite gender cannot even enjoy fresh fruit (e.g. pineapples and mangos) or restraints in bed together, today is truly a day that will live in infamy. Thanks a lot, nerdgirl! Oops. Sorry. It appears I might have quoted you slightly out of context. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Do you mean people have to choose one or the other? Do you realize how many people's day you just ruined with that information? Finding out that two lovers of opposite gender cannot even enjoy fresh fruit (e.g. pineapples and mangos) or restraints in bed together, today is truly a day that will live in infamy. Thanks a lot, nerdgirl! Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

I think the phrase was "How American" not "What a moron." Are you claiming they mean the same thing? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Literally? Really? What would we be, Warriors of Yaveh/Allah? I never realized the implications of a nuclear attack. Wow. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

How so? Do you really think all four vocations would provide the same income (or the cook would make the most, if bonuses are considered) in a capitalist economy? The military is a socialist structure, or, more accurately, as Labrys pointed out, a communist structure. The minimum wage is indeed an indication of a mixed economy. Union environments are much less so. How much less depends on the state. Yes, that is an absolute. Regardless of what political parties may refer to themselves as, socialism, communism and capitalism are all economic types, not government types. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

To some extent, so long as there is knowledge about it. HEnce, gas prices rose in 1990-1991. Are you claiming that there were additional taxes applied to gas sales in 1990-1991 to pay for the Gulf War? If not, then no, the price at the pump did not reflect the additional cost due to military action. Our gas prices now also do not reflect that additional cost. Sure it is. The consumer utilizes it, and faces the cost. He who uses no power may get a cost passed on to him. He who emits through a tailpipe passes a cost onto himself, whether he is cognizant of it or not. The gas companies don't pollute. The consumers do. Okay, conveyed was the wrong word. The consumer is generally not aware of the extra costs at the time of purchase. He is not cognizant of it. Most of the cost will be passed on to the consumer regardless of how it is paid. There's nothing wrong with that, since, as you said, they are doing the consuming. However, they should be made aware of hidden costs. Yes, but the cost should not be hidden. The consumer should be aware of the cost at time of purchase. Yes. Agreed. But they never stay hidden for long, unless a government helps it happen. Not true. Sometimes those hidden costs are soon revealed, and sometimes they are not. An example: How many people are aware when they but their second, third, etc. Windows PC, that viruses and adware, spyware, etc. are largely a Windows issue, and not a computer issue? Yet, people continue to buy Windows based PC's because they are "cheaper," despite not really being so. (In the interest of fairness: 1.) how many Mac Pro purchasers are aware that there is a limited number of graphics cards supported by both the gaming industry and Apple? Even with it's massive amount of processing power, the lifespan of a Mac Pro as a gaming machine could be very limited. AND 2.) How many people who have been talked into using Linux have been made aware that professional Linux tech support is not cheap, and help forums are not only often slow, but hit or miss regarding the accuracy of offered solutions?) Oh, NO NO NO NO NO! I can't have my clients being as knowledgeable about the law as I am. Because that puts me out of business. And, in fact, I hire people BECAUSE they know more than I do. I don't have the time to learn all the tax laws, so my accountant and tax lawyer do it. That's what society is about - helping each other. I probably should have writen, "… information about thecost of good being sold." That said, you sell a service, not a good. I'll answer your question with a question. How do we monetize the cost of anthropogenic global warming? The government damn well needs to be taking sides. Why? If I go due south 120 miles as the crow flies, I'll be in Santa Barbara. Do the same thing and you'll be elsewhere. We follow the same procedure, but since have have different starting points, and different assumptions, we'll end up with different answers. Right, but neither of us reaches an incorrect conclusion. On the other hand, if I start in Detroit, Michigan, and drive 120 miles south and find myself in Fairbanks, Alaska, then something is wrong. No. Why shoot them all to get rid of ambulance chasers when you can regulate them all to get the ambulance chasers. Nah. I'd shoot us all. Would you prefer we call Amazon or JohnRich? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Sure it can. Free can be (and typically is) a subset of affordable. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Because I've been there, done that (A 1/8 FA 25th ID USAHAW). Heck, I might even have the t-shirt somewhere. It certainly wasn't the smartest career move I've ever made, but it was indeed a learning experience. How much does a Satellite Communication Systems Operator - Maintainer or an Information Systems Operator - Analyst make compared to a Laundry and Shower Specialist or a Food Service Specialist, all with a rank of Specialist and with 30 months time in service? Do you think their income would compare in a similar manner in a capitalist economy? Socialism is an economic system, not a government system. It goes fine with a command structure, a monarchy/dictatorship or democracy/polity, just as capitalism can be implemented with any of them. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

You missed Israel and possibly North Korea. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

You're thinking of the Chevy Impact. The Impact was the prototype upon which the EV1 was based. It was the EV1s that GM recalled and destroyed or otherwise disposed of. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

And why so many Americans go to other countries for treatment. That's exactly what it is. The US military is a socialist structure. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Pssst … The best doctors don't practice in the US. Our healthcare is more expensive than superior care in many other developed countries. The government would be hard pressed to screw up the industry anywhere near as badly as the insurance industry already has. How's that socialized healthcare working out for you, btw? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

I think it's very unlikely, but not impossible. I think it's doubtful they would buy one, since that's not a very efficient use of a lot of money. However, theft is a semi-reasonable possibility. Apparently, judging from reports of the US Air Force over the past year, a US warhead seems as likely to be stolen as one from any other country. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

I agree that its about costs benefit. However, costs are not always presented accurately. Does the price of gas at the pump reflect the cost of conducting war in oil producing countries to maintain access to the crude? Does the price of coal produced electricity reflect the cost of cleaning up all (at least to the extent that the Earth's natural methods to maintain habitable CO2 levels, etc. are not overwhelmed) of the pollutants and greenhouse gasses? In neither instance is the true cost conveyed to the consumer. It really doesn't matter much if the cost is passed on to consumers or taxpayers, since they are largely the same group of people w/r/t energy use. However, consumers should be aware of the true cost of energy from different sources so they can make their choices appropriately. There is no incentive for corporations and businesses to pay costs they can avoid, which would be largely (but not entirely) passed on to consumers with higher prices, making their product less profitable and less competitive in the marketplace. Government regulations provide incentives to pay those costs, or, less idealy, allow subsidization of competing goods in a manner that allows its cost to be equally misrepresented. Government regulation allows the marketplace to operate based on realities rather than perceptions. If two (or more goods) are perceived as essentially equal products, such as electricity from different sources, then they should affect the consumer in the same manner. If one is less environmentally friendly than another, that is cost that is hidden from the consumer at time of purchase. Hidden costs are a bad thing in a free market. In order for free markets to work well, beneficially to all parties, both consumers and producers must have equal access to the information about the good being sold. Unfortunately, more often than not, this doesn't happen. In the case of energy derived from fossil fuels, government regulation can help alleviate that problem. Being a Maths guy, I have to say that I find that statement rather illogical, unless you're pointing out an arithmetic error somewhere. It is a good discussion, though.

It's interesting that you should choose China as an example, since they have a mixed economy. As I understand it, it is generally socialized rurally and free market in urban areas. I don't think that's how it was intended to be, it just worked out that way. (Hopefully Frenchy can shed more light on it.) From where do you think China's pollution is coming, the cities or the urban farmers? Hmmm … that seems like your individual right to enjoy your patio dinner trumps your neighbors right to produce her own compost in an environmentally responsible manner. Sure. Pure socialism is no better (or worse) than pure capitalism. Neither system is effective on its own, each requiring tempering by the other to work well. Unfortunately, without substantial government regulation, that cost is not paid by the polluters, but rather the individuals in the area polluted. Private industry is not going to acknowledge the cost unless forced to. It's too easy to pump pollutants into the air or dump them into the rivers and be done with it. It's one less cost that would otherwise cut into the profit margin, the producer surplus. Exactly my point. Clean air and water is not an asset on the balance sheet. The cost of cleaning up pollution, however, is a very tangible credit (cost). So, without laws and regulation, businesses have little to no incentive to clean up after themselves. Carbon credits don't frame it as a vice. They frame it as a limited resource and allow the market decide how to allocate it. In other words, it is a capitalist solution. That's exactly what carbon credits do. That doesn't occur without government regulation. Which indicates a very low level of understanding of the topic. Neither are many, perhaps most, altruistic people. In fact, if someone does good because it increases their own comfort level in whatever afterlife they believe in, that is not altruistic behavior. The behavior is no less good or beneficial, but it is not altruistic. From an economic standpoint, capitalism is driven by selfishness. If people did not covet thy neighbor's goods (aka desire to keep up with the Joneses) a capitalist economy would collapse. Of course without good behavior, altruistic or otherwise, society collapses. Thus, there is a place for government and government regulation. But it does not always do so in a desirable manner, and often not even a manner beneficial to society. More accurately, weak environmental regulations allowed SUV's to be produced in large numbers. Many do. The Prius was selling very well before gasoline hit $4.00 per gallon in the US. The two are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the two sets of people share many members. Unfortunately, in a capitalist society, cost is measured by the masses in monetary terms. In reality, there are far more considerations than simply monetary cost. However, since the masses must understand the cost, it has to be converted into units they can understand. Thus, there is a need for government regulations and taxes. Which grass is best manicured, your lawn or the greens at the local public golf course? Want to stop ambulance chasing lawyers? Easy. Shoot them. Want to stop your neighbors from producing compost? Buy all of the homes in your neighborhood and raze them to the ground. See my point above about the cost being converted into units the masses can understand. If some people can only think in terms of money, then costs have to be converted totally into monetary units. Yes, he becomes more competitive because the true cost of his competitors' product is revealed (or alternatively, depending on the method of regulation, his product's cost is similarly discounted as his competitors' is). Yeah, he's such a bad person to be carbon neutral. Personally, I don't knock people for their honesty. Perhaps Liar, Liar wasn't so far from reality (aside from the wish coming true, of course) in terms of the legal community? He did. No, those prizes are best given to mathematicians like John F. Nash, Joseph E Stilitz, or Eric S. Maskin Since fining a company for not doing something is effectively the equivalent of paying them to do it, your logic would indicate that there is no intelligence in cleaning up the environment. I wholeheartedly disagree. That may be the libertarian viewpoint on environmental issues, but that doesn't make it correct. In this case, it is nothing more than holding industry responsible for there pollution. The pollution is the waste. It's funny how when your neighbor reuses waste in an environmentally friendly manner, it's a nuisance to you. However, when industry is held responsible for their own waste, you get all upset about it. Ahhh. There's nothing like some (incorrect) irrelevant claims to point out how bad government is. It's only a few decades behind where it should be. The GWB Whitehouse's refusal to acknowledge the reality of global warming for so long has not helped any. Of course, I'm sure that doesn't have anything to do with the President's ties to the oil industry. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

That's actually one of the important purposes of voting. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

The way I see it: At the rate the government pisses away our money on wasteful programs, stupid wars & foreign occupation, it is a miracle that our economy is strong enough to sustain us as well as it has. It seems to me that capitalism has "come to the rescue" of the government far more often than the other way around. Private businesses (as well as publicly traded corporations) make bad financial and management decisions just like government does. I don't think one can be claimed to be more efficient than the other. Neither has the market cornered on good (or bad) decisions. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Of course they didnt that is what you call free market. If people dont buy them they will not make them. I still enjoy driving all of my big cars (6). And no i dont need your aproval to buy more In other words, the free market, left to its own devices, will work to maximize profit for those with capital, but does nothing out of altruism, such as promote a healthy, sustainable environment. Which, of course, is exactly why the government needs to regulate markets and promote research in alternative energy sources. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!