Could you live with 10 per cent less income?

I noticed today that the price of oil has dropped by about $4 per barrel in the last two weeks.

From $72.54 on August 20 to its current price of $68.55 per barrel.

Why the drop, and low prices (compared to $140 pb last summer?

Lack of demand mainly.

“The enormous number of layoffs has led to a sharp drop-off in the amount of gasoline being used, with so many people no longer commuting to work,” said one article I clipped from The London Free Press on Aug. 21.

“The lack of demand extended to natural gas as well, with major power users like manufacturers cutting back.”

I don’t mind the fact that demand for fossil fuels is dropping but those without work deserve as much help as we can offer.


["All we need is love": photo by Jim S.]

Could we, on average, work 10 per cent fewer hours per week (e.g., take Fri. p.m. off) to free up hours for those who truly need the wages? Would we drop off the face of the earth if our lifestyles changed a bit in order to create new jobs for others?

Some would say, “Easy for you, Harrison. You’re retired with a fat teacher’s pension - guaranteed.”

Good point, though nothing is really guaranteed in this world. My good looks are fading as we speak.

However, I’m sure I’d get behind reducing my lifestyle by 10 per cent and still feel life is pretty darn amazing. You?

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