Comments on: Should we raise gas taxes? http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/ CNNMoney.com Talkback Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:32:36 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Trish, Poughkeepsie, NY http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-18993 Trish, Poughkeepsie, NY Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:44:06 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-18993 To Tom from Poughkeepsie: Don't punish higher-income tax payers, most of whom worked hard all their lives with nothing handed to them in order to achieve success. The face of wealthy in this country isn't just someone born with a silver spoon in their mouths. We're hard-working people, any who came from lower to middle-class families. That's why so many people immigrate to the U.S., for that opportunity to be a success, and anyone willing to work hard enough, persevere through challenges and overcome obsticals, can achieve the American dream. I'm an Army brat (my dad a Vietnam vet) whose parents didn't pay for college and I worked two jobs and used common sense and hard work to get ahead. Same with my husband (his dad a WWII vet and worked two jobs to support his family), and now that we've worked hard to establish career success in our 40's so we can send our sons to college, we are targeted with increased taxes in order to supplement lower-income folks. Why? I've never taken handouts. Don't ask the Government to take our hard-earned money so they can give it to people who sit back and suck off government programs. We already pay ridiculous taxes on our income, home and schools, and also give to many charities and volunteer, so this isn't about a lack of compassion, it's about letting me decide how to spend my money, put it back in to the economy, and not let the government create more programs for so-called less fortunate. The programs we support today need reform, and target the truly needy. If we squash every benefit of getting ahead financially in this country, who will ever be motivated to achieve success? Drill, give tax breaks to those who buy hybrid vehicles, etc. No more increasing taxes for the "wealthy", and eliminating taxes for the "working class". Are you kidding me? Last I checked my husband works 70 hours/week, not including commute and travel. We work, but because we've made enough to get ahead, we should pay for others who didn't? If you want a socialized society, move to Russia. To Tom from Poughkeepsie:

Don’t punish higher-income tax payers, most of whom worked hard all their lives with nothing handed to them in order to achieve success. The face of wealthy in this country isn’t just someone born with a silver spoon in their mouths. We’re hard-working people, any who came from lower to middle-class families.

That’s why so many people immigrate to the U.S., for that opportunity to be a success, and anyone willing to work hard enough, persevere through challenges and overcome obsticals, can achieve the American dream.

I’m an Army brat (my dad a Vietnam vet) whose parents didn’t pay for college and I worked two jobs and used common sense and hard work to get ahead. Same with my husband (his dad a WWII vet and worked two jobs to support his family), and now that we’ve worked hard to establish career success in our 40’s so we can send our sons to college, we are targeted with increased taxes in order to supplement lower-income folks. Why? I’ve never taken handouts.

Don’t ask the Government to take our hard-earned money so they can give it to people who sit back and suck off government programs. We already pay ridiculous taxes on our income, home and schools, and also give to many charities and volunteer, so this isn’t about a lack of compassion, it’s about letting me decide how to spend my money, put it back in to the economy, and not let the government create more programs for so-called less fortunate. The programs we support today need reform, and target the truly needy.

If we squash every benefit of getting ahead financially in this country, who will ever be motivated to achieve success?

Drill, give tax breaks to those who buy hybrid vehicles, etc. No more increasing taxes for the “wealthy”, and eliminating taxes for the “working class”. Are you kidding me? Last I checked my husband works 70 hours/week, not including commute and travel.

We work, but because we’ve made enough to get ahead, we should pay for others who didn’t? If you want a socialized society, move to Russia.

]]> By: William, Ely Nevada http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-12948 William, Ely Nevada Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:21:09 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-12948 I am totally appalled at the socialist ideas expressed to "fix" a system that has made this the greatest country in the world. No, the government does not need to tax the American public any more and redistribute wealth. Rather, lets do as we always have in the past and innovate. We are unique in the vast distances we must travel, as opposed to Europe where one my travel trough six countries in one day. Let us upgrade our rail system to encourage the greater use of this most economical of commerce movers and free up the highways cars. I know I would feel much safer in an econobox that gets 50 miles per gallon without some trucker riding my back bumper. Oil is not a dirty word, we need to open up the many restricted areas in this country to exploration and in the interm encourage research and develpment to creat "ecomomical" alternative energy sources to utilize in those nitch areas. An lastly, think nuclear. Its clean and safe. I am totally appalled at the socialist ideas expressed to “fix” a system that has made this the greatest country in the world. No, the government does not need to tax the American public any more and redistribute wealth. Rather, lets do as we always have in the past and innovate. We are unique in the vast distances we must travel, as opposed to Europe where one my travel trough six countries in one day. Let us upgrade our rail system to encourage the greater use of this most economical of commerce movers and free up the highways cars. I know I would feel much safer in an econobox that gets 50 miles per gallon without some trucker riding my back bumper. Oil is not a dirty word, we need to open up the many restricted areas in this country to exploration and in the interm encourage research and develpment to creat “ecomomical” alternative energy sources to utilize in those nitch areas. An lastly, think nuclear. Its clean and safe.

]]> By: Richard, Sunnyvale, CA http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-11806 Richard, Sunnyvale, CA Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:56:50 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-11806 What the government doesn't need is more of my money. What the government doesn’t need is more of my money.

]]> By: James Fouts Charleston SC http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-11084 James Fouts Charleston SC Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:38:05 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-11084 Why should the american society even consider paying a gas tax. The money should come from the proffit of the oil companies. Dont we already pay enough taxes. Why should the american society even consider paying a gas tax. The money should come from the proffit of the oil companies. Dont we already pay enough taxes.

]]> By: Bill, Scottsdale Az http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-6505 Bill, Scottsdale Az Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:19:43 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-6505 As a follow up at the end of 2007, high oil cost is partially caused by commodity speculation based on little pressure to reduce fuel consumption (gasoline is still too cheap at $3) and no action by the Government signaling investors that the Government will not intervene (imagine that with an oil man as president). Therefore, I propose that a tax be levied to the point that it lowers fuel consumption. A decline in consumption would limit speculation, and the money would then be diverted from the speculators for better purposes such as renewable fuels research. Providing tax credits back to those hit worst is appropriate since it is unlikely they are the ones driving the ridiculous gas guzzlers. If we don’t take some kind of action now that “Peak Production” has been proclaimed, then speculators will continue to make huge profits indefinitely. I strongly believe in a free market. However, there are quality of life issues that are not properly regulated by purely financial motivation, and the Government is the only mechanism in place to respond. Unfortunately, it appears that our Government is too financially motivated to protect the public. As a follow up at the end of 2007, high oil cost is partially caused by commodity speculation based on little pressure to reduce fuel consumption (gasoline is still too cheap at $3) and no action by the Government signaling investors that the Government will not intervene (imagine that with an oil man as president).
Therefore, I propose that a tax be levied to the point that it lowers fuel consumption. A decline in consumption would limit speculation, and the money would then be diverted from the speculators for better purposes such as renewable fuels research. Providing tax credits back to those hit worst is appropriate since it is unlikely they are the ones driving the ridiculous gas guzzlers. If we don’t take some kind of action now that “Peak Production” has been proclaimed, then speculators will continue to make huge profits indefinitely.
I strongly believe in a free market. However, there are quality of life issues that are not properly regulated by purely financial motivation, and the Government is the only mechanism in place to respond. Unfortunately, it appears that our Government is too financially motivated to protect the public.

]]> By: Sinbad, Wethersfield, CT http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-4873 Sinbad, Wethersfield, CT Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:03:02 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-4873 The Higher Windfall Tax should be imposed on the Oil companies. However, congress will not do anything because of the influence the oil companies have lobbying. Also, majority of the politicans have some kind of kick-backs from the oil companies in the form of donations, pledges to their meager causes AND most politicians have stocks interest in big oil companies. Come people its time to vote all these filling their own pockets politicians out of office. So many bickering in congress but no actions. Also, these news hype-up little incidents about oil happenings and suddently these traders idiots get panic and rush to buy oil stocks. Come on individual investors, its time to let your investment managersnot to buy stocks in oil companies. Lets show them who is the boss. The media should spend more time investigating about medical premium hikes and increases in property taxes (Minneola and Winter Garden, FL AND Wethersfield, CT)and how it kills the homeowners. Every year medical contributions goes up and average of 25% on employees and the average wage raise is 2% anually. How can we live with these outrageous expenses. The Higher Windfall Tax should be imposed on the Oil companies. However, congress will not do anything because of the influence the oil companies have lobbying. Also, majority of the politicans have some kind of kick-backs from the oil companies in the form of donations, pledges to their meager causes AND most politicians have stocks interest in big oil companies. Come people its time to vote all these filling their own pockets politicians out of office. So many bickering in congress but no actions.

Also, these news hype-up little incidents about oil happenings and suddently these traders idiots get panic and rush to buy oil stocks. Come on individual investors, its time to let your investment managersnot to buy stocks in oil companies. Lets show them who is the boss.

The media should spend more time investigating about medical premium hikes and increases in property taxes (Minneola and Winter Garden, FL AND Wethersfield, CT)and how it kills the homeowners. Every year medical contributions goes up and average of 25% on employees and the average wage raise is 2% anually. How can we live with these outrageous expenses.

]]> By: Chris, New York http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2311 Chris, New York Tue, 29 May 2007 14:27:07 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2311 No one likes to talk about it but the main effect of the European Socialist tax system is in place to keep the lower classes from joining the elite. When you pay 45% (or more) to the government, $6/gallon for gas, and need 25% down for house you either have to inherit money or wait the long corporate climb in a European company in order to improve your economic situation. Note the richest Europeans: all old money....I prefer our system where, at least, you have a chance to improve. No new taxes!!!! No one likes to talk about it but the main effect of the European Socialist tax system is in place to keep the lower classes from joining the elite.

When you pay 45% (or more) to the government, $6/gallon for gas, and need 25% down for house you either have to inherit money or wait the long corporate climb in a European company in order to improve your economic situation.

Note the richest Europeans: all old money….I prefer our system where, at least, you have a chance to improve.

No new taxes!!!!

]]> By: Joe, Fairfax, VA http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2307 Joe, Fairfax, VA Tue, 29 May 2007 03:37:44 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2307 Who is hurting the consumers more than the banks and credit card companies with their high fees and interest rates. If the average family has 5K in debt at 20 percent interest, that is over $80 per month that could be spent on gas. One late fee or one over the limit fee is equal to one tank of gas. Who really is squeezing the American consumer? Who is hurting the consumers more than the banks and credit card companies with their high fees and interest rates. If the average family has 5K in debt at 20 percent interest, that is over $80 per month that could be spent on gas. One late fee or one over the limit fee is equal to one tank of gas. Who really is squeezing the American consumer?

]]> By: Anonymous http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2306 Anonymous Tue, 29 May 2007 02:02:07 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2306 MORON!!!!!!! MORON!!!!!!!

]]> By: Tom Hayden, Poughkeepsie, NY http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2305 Tom Hayden, Poughkeepsie, NY Tue, 29 May 2007 01:53:20 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2305 Why be so inefficient? If "everybody" agrees to the principles of a gasoline tax, why not simplify the whole ordeal and tax the higher incomes to support all the same programs? Otherwise you tax the poor with the high cost of gasoline, food, goods, etc, and then trust the government to provide credits, while defending against all the loopholes that would occur. This is pretty dumb - advocating a tax against the poor. Why be so inefficient? If “everybody” agrees to the principles of a gasoline tax, why not simplify the whole ordeal and tax the higher incomes to support all the same programs? Otherwise you tax the poor with the high cost of gasoline, food, goods, etc, and then trust the government to provide credits, while defending against all the loopholes that would occur. This is pretty dumb – advocating a tax against the poor.

]]> By: Jerry McBride, Cloverdale, CA http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2304 Jerry McBride, Cloverdale, CA Tue, 29 May 2007 01:40:33 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2304 Hey, instead of giving a whopping tax break to go buy a 5 ton gas guzzler - what about the amazing notion of a credit for fuel-efficient cars? As much as we want to blame Big Oil, I agree with something written earlier - big oil didn't make people buy gas guzzlers. I'd <b>like<b> to blame the automakers for being so short-sighted - not seeing the obvious trends in fuel prices. Actually, I wouldn't mind seeing one or two of them go out of business to teach the survivors a lesson. BUT, reducing consumption is the only effective solution. Hey, instead of giving a whopping tax break to go buy a 5 ton gas guzzler – what about the amazing notion of a credit for fuel-efficient cars?

As much as we want to blame Big Oil, I agree with something written earlier – big oil didn’t make people buy gas guzzlers.

I’d like to blame the automakers for being so short-sighted – not seeing the obvious trends in fuel prices. Actually, I wouldn’t mind seeing one or two of them go out of business to teach the survivors a lesson. BUT, reducing consumption is the only effective solution.

]]> By: Greg Guina http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2303 Greg Guina Tue, 29 May 2007 01:40:07 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2303 Gasolene is fairly price inelastic and price increases will only modestly reduce demand. The results of this dumb idea: 1. The government will rake in the dough and waste it on the beaurocrats 2. Inflation will heat up as transportation costs will rise and increase the costs of goods that are trucked 3. People will have less money to spend on other things resulting in lower sales and production leading to unemployment. In short only an idiot of the Jimmy Carter school could dream this one up Gasolene is fairly price inelastic and price increases will only modestly reduce demand. The results of this dumb idea:
1. The government will rake in the dough and waste it on the beaurocrats
2. Inflation will heat up as transportation costs will rise and increase the costs of goods that are trucked
3. People will have less money to spend on other things resulting in lower sales and production leading to unemployment.
In short only an idiot of the Jimmy Carter school could dream this one up

]]> By: V8 lover, Merrimack, NH http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2299 V8 lover, Merrimack, NH Mon, 28 May 2007 22:41:52 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2299 Wouldn't it be great if the US could lead the world out of this with our great ability to innovate? The current gas prices stifle innovation and basically move it off shore. Every day we fight this we are pushing the problem on the future and into the hands of others that are eager to innovate around it. Ethanol, Bio-diesel and Hydrogen are pretty much gimmicks to buy time. The two first are classic cases of shifting the cost from one place to another. There is no net saving, only a marginal reduction in dependency on foreign oil. Hydrogen, albeit clean, is not clean to make and has always been 15 years away (great ploy by Detroit when they killed the electric cars). Its a bitter pill, but if we want to drive the solution, we should do ourselves a favor and jack up the price of fuel to around $5/gal. Don't count on Detroit to solve the problem. They do not want to solve it. They've shown that for decades. Count on new American inventors to come forward. Only a high gas price will grease the skids for venture capitalists to step forward and finance these great ideas. I doubt any of the VCs want to come close to Detroit. Wouldn’t it be great if the US could lead the world out of this with our great ability to innovate?

The current gas prices stifle innovation and basically move it off shore. Every day we fight this we are pushing the problem on the future and into the hands of others that are eager to innovate around it.

Ethanol, Bio-diesel and Hydrogen are pretty much gimmicks to buy time. The two first are classic cases of shifting the cost from one place to another. There is no net saving, only a marginal reduction in dependency on foreign oil. Hydrogen, albeit clean, is not clean to make and has always been 15 years away (great ploy by Detroit when they killed the electric cars).

Its a bitter pill, but if we want to drive the solution, we should do ourselves a favor and jack up the price of fuel to around $5/gal.

Don’t count on Detroit to solve the problem. They do not want to solve it. They’ve shown that for decades. Count on new American inventors to come forward. Only a high gas price will grease the skids for venture capitalists to step forward and finance these great ideas. I doubt any of the VCs want to come close to Detroit.

]]> By: Tom Harding, Lynwood, Illinois http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2297 Tom Harding, Lynwood, Illinois Mon, 28 May 2007 20:39:19 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2297 Fine,I'll support a $2 to 3$ per gallon federal gas tax on the condition that part of the money is used for alternative transpopration paths, such as the thousands of miles of bicycle paths that are in Europe but not here. I live 11 1/2 miles form work. I could ride a bicycle if it was safe to do so, but there are no roadways for bicycles or even walkways, just high-speed traffic. Make safe roadways for low-speed traffic, like bicycles, mopeds, etc. If a European like tax is added to gas, the the European like traveling method should be also. Fine,I’ll support a $2 to 3$ per gallon federal gas tax on the condition that part of the money is used for alternative transpopration paths, such as the thousands of miles of bicycle paths that are in Europe but not here.
I live 11 1/2 miles form work. I could ride a bicycle if it was safe to do so, but there are no roadways for bicycles or even walkways, just high-speed traffic. Make safe roadways for low-speed traffic, like bicycles, mopeds, etc.
If a European like tax is added to gas, the the European like traveling method should be also.

]]> By: Ron Rogers, Minneapolis, MN http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2296 Ron Rogers, Minneapolis, MN Mon, 28 May 2007 20:22:02 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2296 What we have here is a fascist system whereby government and private industry work hand in hand and then blame each other whenever consumers raise issues. Nothing ever changes because one can always blame the other. Adding additional gas taxes is idiotic in the extreme and only exemplifies the absurdity of the current situation. Why not repeal those taxes? What we have here is a fascist system whereby government and private industry work hand in hand and then blame each other whenever consumers raise issues. Nothing ever changes because one can always blame the other.

Adding additional gas taxes is idiotic in the extreme and only exemplifies the absurdity of the current situation. Why not repeal those taxes?

]]> By: Vic Pensacola FL http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2295 Vic Pensacola FL Mon, 28 May 2007 19:07:48 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2295 The gas tax in Europe, to a great degree, finances the social and medical programs. If it would pay for a national medical program in the US, I would be happy to pay another dollar or two per gallon. The gas tax in Europe, to a great degree, finances the social and medical programs.

If it would pay for a national medical program in the US, I would be happy to pay another dollar or two per gallon.

]]> By: G. Taylor Evanston, IL. http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2290 G. Taylor Evanston, IL. Sat, 26 May 2007 23:54:14 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2290 Federal or State taxes on gasoline will not do anything to help reduce the use of gasoline for those of us who have to drive from suburb to suburb to get to and from work and public transportation isn't an option. Most of us also have children of various ages that require dropping off and picking up at schools and daycares. We have to drive and we will continue to do so, but higher taxes on gas will mean less money to use to pay for housing, food, clothes, and other consumer goods which will hurt the economy in other ways and will hurt the American families' budget. Federal or State taxes on gasoline will not do anything to help reduce the use of gasoline for those of us who have to drive from suburb to suburb to get to and from work and public transportation isn’t an option.
Most of us also have children of various ages that require dropping off and picking up at schools and daycares. We have to drive and we will continue to do so, but higher taxes on gas will mean less money to use to pay for housing, food, clothes, and other consumer goods which will hurt the economy in other ways and will hurt the American families’ budget.

]]> By: Tom R, Minneapolis MN http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2289 Tom R, Minneapolis MN Sat, 26 May 2007 23:30:50 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-2289 I fully agree that higher gas taxes are what we need to permanently reduce demand. There's no quick fixes here, but taxes do a better job in making future prices predictable and will make higher prices more managable. Taxes also can be used for incentives for higher milage vehicles and through some sort of income tax rebate, offset some of the increased costs to the poor who can't afford to change their vehicles or driving demands quickly. Given that electricity is now 1/4 the price of gasoline per unit energy, I imagine the "electrification" of transportation is our best shot to reduce oil and gasoline consumption and that also will help bring prices down. I fully agree that higher gas taxes are what we need to permanently reduce demand.

There’s no quick fixes here, but taxes do a better job in making future prices predictable and will make higher prices more managable. Taxes also can be used for incentives for higher milage vehicles and through some sort of income tax rebate, offset some of the increased costs to the poor who can’t afford to change their vehicles or driving demands quickly.

Given that electricity is now 1/4 the price of gasoline per unit energy, I imagine the “electrification” of transportation is our best shot to reduce oil and gasoline consumption and that also will help bring prices down.

]]> By: John, Phoenix, Arizona http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-1705 John, Phoenix, Arizona Mon, 21 May 2007 20:28:06 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-1705 A higher tax is out of the question. While the government may say that the money will come back, at the same time lower income families will be hit right then and there, not in the future. Historically, a tax has had a negative affect on the U.S. economy and vice versa. Instead, the way the market is working out now is fine. We just need to keep on working it out the way we are right now (ie. alternative fuels, better mpg, more fuel sources that are not international). And as for global warming, a cow produces a much more lethal gas (26x?) to the ozone than does a vehicle in one year, so that doesn't quite matter AS much. A higher tax is out of the question. While the government may say that the money will come back, at the same time lower income families will be hit right then and there, not in the future. Historically, a tax has had a negative affect on the U.S. economy and vice versa. Instead, the way the market is working out now is fine. We just need to keep on working it out the way we are right now (ie. alternative fuels, better mpg, more fuel sources that are not international). And as for global warming, a cow produces a much more lethal gas (26x?) to the ozone than does a vehicle in one year, so that doesn’t quite matter AS much.

]]> By: steve johnson Olympia, WA http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-1701 steve johnson Olympia, WA Mon, 21 May 2007 20:25:51 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/05/21/should-we-raise-gas-taxes/#comment-1701 Big Oil had had a death grip on the throats of Americans since the late 60's While it is true prices are somewhat controlled by supply and demand... it also true prices are controlled by competition. Apparently we don't have eneough compitition in the market place... Maybe we need to do to Big Oil the same thing we did to Ma-Bell and the telecommunications industry... Break up the Monopolies and give the upstart competitors insentive to produce more and to build new refineries. Big Oil had had a death grip on the throats of Americans since the late 60’s

While it is true prices are somewhat controlled by supply and demand… it also true prices are controlled by competition.

Apparently we don’t have eneough compitition in the market place…

Maybe we need to do to Big Oil the same thing we did to Ma-Bell and the telecommunications industry…

Break up the Monopolies and give the upstart competitors insentive to produce more and to build new refineries.

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