What do you think of Ray's gas tax rant? Is Ray on to a genius idea that will point our country towards a sustainable transportation future? Or does he have his headlight firmly implanted in his tailpipe? Is it even a political possibility?
Is it something with the water in your state. What is with you lousy Massachusetts Democrats. You just love to pay taxes. I tell you what, if .50 cents is not much to you, then why don't you pay $1.00 and pay for mine!
STUPID! The federal government already gets the lion's share of our taxes. It's state and local government that needs the money the most. I say, the federal government mandate the 50ยข tax, but let the states collect and keep it; maybe with a provision that at least 1/2 of it goes to local government.
Or if we want it to be revenue neutral: Impose the tax and give everyone a tax rebate (even if they don't have to file taxes) that covers all but the administrative costs. The rebate would be on a per capita basis, but the tax would be on a per gallon basis. So if you consume less than the average amount of gas, you make money off of it. If you consume more than the average, it costs you. Of course, for people who don't have a car, it would be all money in the bank. (Yes, I have a car. It's a small one, and I drive efficiently.)
I think Ray has inhaled way to much exhaust fumes in his life. If the tax we already pay now on gas was used as it was intended we would more then fine. Any tax is a BAD tax.
It all sounds good, in theory. With all the taxes the government has in place, it is my belief that there should not be a shortage in funds to accomplish these ideas already. There is a major mismanagement from the top down, federally and on a state level. It is my opinion that the more money we send to the capitals, the more that it will be mis-spent. Plus, I am from Illinois where corruption seems to be the norm these days. Maybe I am just jaded by the idea that we cannot find the right person to lead us out of this economic downturn. While money is beig given away from our government to banks and companies that believe the way out of a problem is to keep digging, we, the taxpayers, find ourselves financially responsible to rebuild irresponsible corporations. Well, ya know what? We are out of money. The people getting money are the people that don't need it. I say bailout the citezens of the USA. With all that money flowing from the Treasury and into the hands of big businesses, the government could have at least given every middle to low income family several hundreds of thousands of dollars. If we the people are the ones that will bring us out of this rut we are in, then we the people should be getting more than $12-$16 dollars extra on a paycheck. So I don't believe it is being a wussy why we are not asked for an extra 50 cents in taxes at the pump. I believe the politicians know that the majority of Americans, like myself who struggle week in and week out to make ends meet, just won't stand for it. The lack of action made this country so dependant on oil now is the time for the change we so desperatly need. This change should not come out of my pocket when I already need to plan to fill my tank as if it is another monthly bill.
I would suggest making a 60 cent per gallon tax increase that would be phased in with a 10 cent increase every 2 months for the next year. The way gas prices are roller-coastering, a 10 cent increase would seem par for the course...and the public would have a year to modify their driving habits. I have no problem paying taxes for productive results.
The high gas prices coupled with poor fuel efficiency of American cars are one of the big contributers to the current recession.
Give the economy a little break... Perhaps until 2010. However, I believe that increasing the taxes will actually help improve fuel efficiency, and improve the economy.
But, don't whack us with 50 cents a gallon all at once.
Do what I call a penny a month plan, or 2 cents a month plan... each month increase the tax by one or two cents... probably forever...
In a year, the price increases by a dime, or a quarter. Over a few years it will actually encourage economy. But, it will give people time to adjust. Find housing and transportation with shorter commutes, fuel efficient vehicles, etc.
As far as trucks, one can have different fuel taxes for trucks and cars. Oregon does it. It would take a bit to setup the infrastructure, but then let the truckers have somewhat lower taxes than the cars.
If there is more economy, the tax may or may not make money, but we need a balanced budget amendment, and start paying down the National Debt.
One day,.... everyone should realize that paying more taxes for anything is not the answer!!!!! Lets try to reduce spending and see how it goes. For example....they raised taxes on cigarettes to pay for certain medical care for children and to eliminate some of the desire to smoke....now who do you think will be paying those taxes when everyone quits smoking or do you think they will do away with those taxes....yeah ..right. Taxes are becoming the most rediculous problem in this nation. Perhaps having a literacy and intelligence test for voters is not as silly as it seems, seems as though at one time you had to be a property owner that paid taxes,,,,the logical idea was ...if you paid taxes you got to vote for those that spend it. OH well.....
That would cost me an extra $700 per year. That's over 1% of my income on top of what I'm already paying for gas, which is now very close to $3/gallon.
Tell me Ray, why is it that you want to make my life harder for nothing? Why do you want to make it so that I can't afford to take my kids to see a movie, let alone save for them to go to college? You people come up with these idiot ideas with out any concept of how they'll affect real people with real lives. But I guess we don't matter, do we?
Agree 100%. Government policy has favored auto and air travel at the expense of more sustainable travel options for far too long. This has negative impacts in terms of the environment, land use and energy supplies.
I'm by no means independently wealthy; I live a fairly frugal life, but I'm willing to pay extra at the pump for a more sustainable future. I'm a bit tired of spoiled, over-consuming U.S. citizens driving gas guzzling vehicles to carry their oversized carcasses and motorized toys around the highways and by-ways. Yes, some people actually need large vehicles, but there's something fishy about the fact that pick-up trucks are the biggest seller here. Politically possible? Only when people in this country as a whole wake up and realize we have it pretty darn good compared to most other people in this world. Our nation is becoming one of oversized people in oversized homes and oversized TV's and superfluous crap.
I realize the economic downturn has truly hurt many, but I have to laugh when I read stories about how people have to cope: moving to a smaller, more affordable house, no more $3 Starbucks coffee, bringing lunch to work. OMG! Such sacrifice! Bring on the fifty cent gas tax.
Well I agree with you. We have very low gas prices compared to most other countries and so have no real incentive to conserve. Our nation is strapped for revenue, many US cities have terrible mass transit (and are laid out all wrong for it anyways) and we emit way too much in the way of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Raising the tax on fuel could help with all three issues.
But there is a fly in the ointment. Any politician that voted to do this would not be re-elected, even with the current lull in gas prices. Americans think cheap fuel is one of those self evident rights our founding fathers were on about and tax is a dirty word. Taxes are regarded as the government "stealing" our hard-earned money, not as an investment in the future or a kitty we pay into for our collective benefit.
Climate change is going to cost us a lot economically. But people don't seem to feel a sense of urgency and need for personal sacrifice over this "enemy" that will act gradually, over decades.
This was a good idea five years ago, when gas was cheaper. It is an even better idea now. Not only does it reduce the amount of petroleum used up, it also cuts the amount of carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere. Ray's idea of using the tax proceeds to subsidize high-speed rail is fine, but it could also be used for buses, local mass transit, and bicycle lanes for commuters.
I agree with Ray's proposal, with a number of limitations to keep the politicians from siphoning the dough off for their pet projects (i.e., pork). I'm not hot on monorails, but I like the idea of spending all the money generated on transportation infrastructure--whether roads & bridges, light rail, high-speed rail, etc.
But, sadly, as others have pointed out there's no way this tax will be implemented. Therefore, I modestly suggest that Congress benchmark the current federal gas tax at the price it was two years ago--before the wild price swings--and adjust the amount of the tax to maintain the same ratio to the current price of gasoline. That way, like cost-of-living adjusters, the federal gas tax would follow the actual price of gasoline up and down. (Yes, yes, I know that would reward high prices, but it doesn't let Congress spend it as it pleases.)
Unfortunately, these very transportation projects tend to be the poster children of pork. Remember the Bridge to Nowhere? So, maybe sending all the current bozos in Washington packing is a good idea...to start with.
02/02/2009 1:06:28 PM
