From a reader:
Jonah,
Haha. It’s obvious that we wouldn’t mind the price of gas at all if we could just get auto manufacturers to stop gouging us on the costs of buying cars in the first place. Have you seen what they charge for a new Jag or Lamborghini these days? It’s a crime, or close enough to count I’m sure, and yet our govt is doing nothing to stop it. It’s probably too much to ask the Big Three to cut their prices any given their current economic woes, but I’m sure we could end our addiction to imported autos by enforcing rigid but reasonable limits on how much retailers can charge for them.
Your saffron suggestion reminds me of one of my alltime fave SNL quips. From a Weekend Update sketch:
“New Scientist magazine reported that in the future, cars could be powered by hazelnuts. That’s encouraging, considering an eight-ounce jar of hazelnuts costs about nine dollars. Yeah, I’ve got an idea for a car that runs on bald eagle heads and Faberge eggs.”
And:
Jonah,
I wholeheartedly agree re: the outrageous price of saffron. I’ve had to go without Paella for months now. Its to the point that I am having to settle for white rice.
And you know who I blame? Goya Foods. They should be hauled before Congress and forced to explain themselves…. And per Ted Kennedy, forced to return the “excess profits” they have earned….
All the best.