THE UPSIDE DOWN SIDE TO HIGH GAS PRICES

The downside to higher gas prices is that it just plain hurts,
especially when we drive up to the gas pumps. Living in a
small town and within the city limits, there may not be a
noticeable difference in your budget if you are a homebody.
However, if you have a couple of kids involved in a number of
after school activities and your own schedule takes you away
from home frequently, higher gas prices can hurt an already
stretched budget. The alternatives are to carpool, consolidate
work and shopping trips and walk or ride a bike when possible.

The upside is more fresh air and exercise by walking or biking
and getting to know your neighbors and other parents better
through carpooling. You'll save wear and tear on your vehicle
and pay for fewer oil changes due to fewer miles driven.
Reduced traffic keeps roads in better shape which should reduce
taxes, right? So okay, I'm dreaming.

Every upside seems to have a downside so taxes to keep our roads
in shape should go further, but at the same time, there would be
fewer jobs in road maintenance. Use less gas and gas stations
will begin to close along with some of those drive-thru oil change
places. Don't despair because there is an upside to the downside
of the upside of high gas prices.

According to the REPOWER AMERICA campaign, investing in clean
energy and green infrastructure can create nearly 61,000 jobs
in Michigan,(Center for American Progress). Reducing gas
consumption due to high prices can make the U.S. less dependent
on foreign oil. Those extra tax dollars saved from reduced road
traffic and fewer road repairs could subsidize education and create
more jobs in the field of renewable energy. Empty automotive
factories can be revived with unemployed autoworkers who find new
career openings in the fast growing industry of green technology.

The most important upside to paying more at the gas pump and
driving less is the decrease in carbon emissions which contribute
to globalwarming. The benefits from a decrease in global warming
are endless and too numerous to name. A reduction in the use of
fossil fuels results in fewer air pollution related health problems
like asthma and other diseases of the lungs. In a nutshell,
reducing air pollution and global warming saves people and wildlife.

Here's a little food for thought.....what happens to the empty space
in our Earth created by coal mining and oil drilling which is then
burned to escape into the atmosphere?

The Mackinac Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians asks that you
protect Mother Earth, people and wildlife by reducing your carbon
footprint. Start by using less fuel, complaining to manufacturers
about the amount of packaging they use, and by recycling and reusing.

Remember this...
People and wildlife are more vulnerable to extinction then Mother
Earth is so don't just think about who or what you are hurting but
who you can save.

Lynne Weaver