It is common knowledge that there is a transportation problem in this country. Many Americans experience the short-comings of our system on a daily basis while they battle congestion, pollution and the side effects of sprawl on their journey to work. The automobile industry recently received $19.4 Billion (which is this many zeros: 000,000,000.00) of American Taxpayer money in order to prevent an overhaul and much-needed update of their goals and objectives.
Prior to the proposal of an alternative transportation plan for our nation, I felt it necessary to present the case for why America is poised for a complete systematic overhaul. The best way to achieve an understanding is to provide you with data in a format everyone can comprehend; dollars.
Let us take a quick look at the amount of money that the automobile manufacturers received in their bailout; $19,400,000,000. In 2006 (note: the most recent data available), there were 203,000,000 licensed drivers in the United States out of a total resident population of 299,000,000 persons. If we look at what only the licensed drivers gave, donated, allocated, or loaned (anyway you slice it, they simply asked for a handout), the manufacturer's received $95.57 from every driver in the country.
Doesn't seem like much, but the question I pose to you is that could you and your family use an extra $95.57 this week?
Considering the fact that there are (note: the most recent data available) 1.75 drivers per American household, this translates to a household contribution of $167.24.
Could your family use an extra $167.24 this week?
These contributions that you have made are in addition to the funds that you have already provided to the auto manufacturers by simply purchasing an automobile!!! In 2007, the average American spent 11.2% of their disposable income (many of you may not remember disposable income, just think back to the Clinton Administration) on transportation related expenses.
That same year, the only other expenditures that Americans spent more on were Medical Care, Housing and Food/Tobacco.
$374,400,000,000.
That is how much Americans spent on purchasing cars, trucks and RVs in 2006.
***Time out, you say. Your data sets are from all over the place!?!?! Admittedly this is a side effect of the data available this morning from the various agencies of the United States Government. The most recent, and considerably more accurate data will not be available until September 2009; personally speaking, we cannot wait that long to perform a preliminary analysis.***
Let us take a day to absorb the information which has been presented thus far in our discussion of a sustainable and equitable transportation plan for our struggling nation. Truly, you should be focused upon one number; $167.24.
I encourage you to make a list of what you could do with $167.24 this week.
$167.24.
"Gasoline helps power the American dream, giving us the freedom to travel where we want and when we want -- for work, for school or for recreation. A steady supply of clean-burning gasoline is central to our nation's economy." (Source: www.factsonfuel.org)
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