Status Symbol

In the United States that could be none other than the automobile. The sleeker, faster, racier, the priceier the better. But now, since the price of gasoline has gone so high it does more parking in the driveway than driving on the Parkway. (pardon me George Carlin for stealing your line)

In the seventies we had much the same thing happen. More cars were sitting and public transportation was being utilized. But that was because you couldn't get any gas because of the shortage of fuel due to the oil embargo beset upon us by the oil producing nations not because of the price. Now as then, cars with higher mileage ratings were being sought out rather than the big status symbols. At the time a five year old Volkswagen beetle would set you back $2000 - 2500 while a gas guzzling five year old Cadilac Eldorado could be had off the lot for $500.

The long sought after and so handsomely prized by Soccer Moms everywhere, SUV, is being sent out to pasture and the gas sipping sub-compacts are flying off the lots. The SUVs were sold under the banner that it was the safest, most reliable vehicle that you could count on to keep the loved ones safe in an accident. Now... who cares if the wife and kiddies get crushed under an 18-wheeler, WE CAN'T PAY FOR THE GAS. And speaking of the 18-wheeler: I heard last evening that in order to fill one up with Diesel fuel will set the driver back $1300. Be prepared to pay even more at the grocery store and any other place that relies on these big rigs to bring in the goods.

Scooters are also the transportation of choice by the thrifty or just plain poor. Getting 100 miles to the gallon will cause most anyone to forget how silly they might look on one. Guess what's going to cost more in the near future. Hint: it's the first word in this paragraph.

Remember the old sales pitch by the used car dealer: "It was driven by a little old lady from Pasadena who only used it on Sunday." Now I can hear the pitchman saying "It was driven by a small family from (insert town here) on the weekends." What with the cost of gas so high many are resorting to only using the car on the weekends while they take public transportation to and from work. Even the usually auto-choked highways in Southern California are suddenly experiencing a lot less traffic. And the trend is spreading around the country. Look for tolls on bridges and turnpikes to increase as revenue starts to plummet.

If something isn't done I can visualize more and more of these rapidly growing detriments to the budget sitting in front yards with "For Sale" signs on them. Or maybe someone will fill theirs up with dirt and grow flowers or brocoli or maybe asparagus in it. Now there's a status symbol for ya!