Has anyone seen this? (Portland: college, taxes, to live in)

[Bluesbabe]

Originally Posted by jrkliny

..... "And I'm sure that many people pumping gas are damn glad to have their jobs."
Not that I noticed. In any case requiring attendents is a total waste of mankind. Instead what about looking for ways to help the the unskilled gain some skills so they can get a worthwhile job with decent pay? No, not everyone will be able to develop and handle a skilled job. The vast majority will and instead of making worthless jobs let's find another way to help those with deficiencies.

I felt the same about all of the bums living on the Portland streets. Somehow there seemed to be the attitude that this was it ok and acceptable. Isn't is way past time to end this situation and get them off the street? And NO, I do not mean swept under the rug. Many of these people are clearly in serious need of help. It is way past time for Portland and Oregon to step up and do something for these people and at the same time end the unsavory and potentially dangerous conditions that now exist.

And just why is it that you think self-service is better? Because you have to wait a little longer? I've lived here for 31 years and I can recall a problem with an attendant only once. (Besides, the worst stallings we've experienced were at a couple of stations in California.)

And it is NOT cheaper! I go to California frequently and I'd sure like to know where their big "savings" is, because it certainly isn't in the cost per gallon. Someone tried to tell me that it's taxes, but it still comes out of the pocketbook when they fill up. So big deal.

Some people think self-serve is quicker, others don't mind risking the smell of gas on their hands. But the "self-serve is cheaper" crapola is just that.

[jrkliny]

The cost of gasoline includes taxes. Oregon taxes at $0.25/gallon and California taxes at $0.399/gallon. In addition to more direct taxes, the cost of doing business in California is much higher. Transportation and refining and just about everything else in California is more expensive. I really hope you re-think your arguments. There may be some small stations with only a single attendent who also pumps gas. In that case there would be no added cost. For many of the stations I visited there was not just a single attendent but 2 or 3 who were employed to pump gas. The consumer pays for that service. In the 48 States were attendents are not required to pump gas, the service is optional. Many customers do indeed pay a higher charge and have the gas pumped for them. I have no argument with someone deciding to pay for this service. I have no argument with a business that wants to make some extra money by providing this service. In fact I don't have any problem with the few stations in my area that do not offer self service. I don't have a problem but I would go elsewhere and pay less. I think it is a sad fact that the State of Oregon (and New Jersey) has decided to become involved. This needless regulation just ends up costing every driver more money - even if it is relatively little and even if you think the service is free or worth the extra money. I also don't see any value in terms of creating jobs.

[nanannie]

Its just a blogger who probably loves Florida or (gulp) Southern California and he is getting much too much attention fot his "opinions".
I lived in a very old house in the hills, and my front window was built to frame Mt St. Helens. It was a spiritual experience just waking in the morning. I remember an out of town visitor was staring forever at the view and when I said "what are you thinking" ,he said, "How the hell can you stand all the gloom". Ahhhhh, it takes all kinds.
Let it go, go on enjoying all you love. There is no place like it and for most of us, that means something wonderful.

[figmalt]

Whether you agree or disagree, each person is entitled to their opinion. There are pros and cons, and it's perfectly fine to discuss them. Let's give each other a break, and not take personal pot-shots.

[Bluesbabe]

Yep, he sure is entitled to his opinion. But I'm sure he was aware of what was coming.

Portland/Oregon is definitely not for everybody, but I've yet to encounter somewhere that's perfect. When I spent 10 days in NYC last year, I absolutely loved it. But just the extremes in climate is enough to keep me the heck outa' there.

There are a couple of criticisms in the article that I just didn't understand (other than gas attendants ~ and there are others who share his opinon about that). But I have a couple of big complaints of my own, which ~ oddly enough ~ are not mentioned in that article at all. (And, nope! Ain't a'gonna bring 'em up.)

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by DreamWeavin

you continue to baffle me with your line of reasoning.

Ditto. This stuff gets rehashed time ad time again. Blah.

[jrkliny]

Figmalt, thanks for trying to bring some common sense to this thread. It is somewhat encouraging to see the number of participants who are fans of Portland and Oregon. Unfortunately a few of the participants have huge numbers of posts and seem to go on the attack whenever there is even a hint of disagreement with their opinions.

I did not just drop by to stir up arguments. I have lived in a great many parts of the country and recently visited Portland and Oregon as a potential retirement location. My experiences in Portland were unexpectedly and extremely negative and I am still trying to gain some understanding and perspective. For a lot of reasons, I think I will end up in Oregon, but not in Portland. Oregon also seems to have a lot of strong negatives and positives and it is not easy to reach a balanced evaluation after only a brief visit.
I think the entire conversation on full service gas stations is only a very minor issue except as an indication of excessive and unnecessary government regulation. If the reaction to this minor issue is an indication, it seems that some of the participants have made it impossible to have any sort of discussion on this forum.

[electric_lady]

Originally Posted by philwithbeard

A just a trivia question:

Does you check hurt when you got your tongue stuck that far into it, and for that long of time? Just asking, when I try to write like that anymore, it just hurts too much. But then again you could be younger than I am..

Oh, very funny BTW.

Phil

Phil, I was born with my tongue in my cheek!!!!

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by jrkliny

Figmalt, thanks for trying to bring some common sense to this thread. It is somewhat encouraging to see the number of participants who are fans of Portland and Oregon. Unfortunately a few of the participants have huge numbers of posts and seem to go on the attack whenever there is even a hint of disagreement with their opinions.

I did not just drop by to stir up arguments. I have lived in a great many parts of the country and recently visited Portland and Oregon as a potential retirement location. My experiences in Portland were unexpectedly and extremely negative and I am still trying to gain some understanding and perspective. For a lot of reasons, I think I will end up in Oregon, but not in Portland. Oregon also seems to have a lot of strong negatives and positives and it is not easy to reach a balanced evaluation after only a brief visit.
I think the entire conversation on full service gas stations is only a very minor issue except as an indication of excessive and unnecessary government regulation. If the reaction to this minor issue is an indication, it seems that some of the participants have made it impossible to have any sort of discussion on this forum.

The gas pumping is an anomaly. At a state level, Oregon's government minds its own business, except on issues that involve the environment, and we do like our public welfare programs in this state. But the state is not meddling and doesn't have its hand on your back at all times like California, New Jersey, etc. The voters of Oregon just don't want to pump their gas--it's just a law that has remained on the books since the time when it was actually dangerous to pump your own gas. It stuck, and we like it, and we voted to keep it TWICE. It's just a fluke really is all it is.

[MarleysMama]

No bright blue skies in the summer?? Not true. (See my photo below of the a gorgeous day in August just steps from our apartment!)

Hipsters everywhere? Not in my neighborhood. You have to go to downtown or some of the inner areas to find those guys.

Not good recreation? My husband and I kayak all over the state and it is a blast. We enjoy the coast almost every weekend in the summer. We hike mount hood in the fall and enjoy the fall colors. When I return to Texas to visit family, I'm bored to tears over the lack of recreation..so to me Oregon was heaven.

The weather can get dreary but we have glorious days as well that make up for it. The winters force us to stay in more. We sit around the fire, cook more, read more, and frankly have lots of romantic evenings watching the rain. Who wants sun every day!?

Did you know that Portland has been voted as one of the best places to raise children? It is so true. We have the most involved and vibrant community of parents and families I've ever seen.

No..our government is far from perfect. Property taxes are too high but we have no sales tax. We need a lot of work in many areas but what state doesn't?

Yes..some gas stations are slow but when it is rainy and cold, I appreciate someone pumping my gas..esp if my little one is asleep in the car!