Who here thinks this is a good idea?

[MrLabGuy]

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., wants to help cut consumption with a gas tax. His proposal will add 50 cents to every gallon of gasoline.

Who here seriously believes that consumption in the US will go down by adding 50 cents to the price of a gallon of gasoline? What is will do is take even more disposable income from the pockets of average Americans who will in-turn spend less on other goods and services. Again...This will effect the poor and lower middle class who is already feeling the pinch of soaring gasoline prices.

This is a Bonehead measure which will do ZERO in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,339589,00.html

[Quicksilver]

Let him start it in Michigan and see if they want it......

[AzNMpower32]

It will make a difference...........if he changes it to a $2/gal tax. Then prices will be more in line with Europe's, and perhaps diesel won't look so shabby after all.

Americans need a drastic increase that occurs quickly to realise the differencen and make a noticeable decrease in consumption. Raising it slowly and little-by-little won't make people think "Wow, now that gas is suddenly a huge chunk of my paycheck, perhaps I should ditch the car on my way to work." I know it sounds like a terrible idea, but that's really the simpliest way to cut consumption.

[Quicksilver]

Tell that to poor folks on minimum wage who will forgo insurance to keep driving. Then when they get in an accident and the insurance try's to collect damages see if you get paid. Then watch your insurance rates go up, ect ect. Then when people who are already living on the financial edge lose their job they will begin looking to those who have to rob.

Sorry but the solution is just not that simple.

[Lambeau]

Wow there's a surprise, a democrat that wants to raise taxes???!

It will create a longer string of problems.

[MrLabGuy]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

It will make a difference...........if he changes it to a $2/gal tax. Then prices will be more in line with Europe's, and perhaps diesel won't look so shabby after all.

Americans need a drastic increase that occurs quickly to realise the differencen and make a noticeable decrease in consumption. Raising it slowly and little-by-little won't make people think "Wow, now that gas is suddenly a huge chunk of my paycheck, perhaps I should ditch the car on my way to work." I know it sounds like a terrible idea, but that's really the simpliest way to cut consumption.

You're forgetting one thing...America is not Europe. We are the land of the Automobile. Our mass transit infrastructure is minuscule compared to most European County's. There is no way to ditch the car for most people. As Quick said...This will have a far greater impact on other aspects of life.

Keep in mind...If every American was to quit driving tomorrow for an entire year. Every Man, Woman and Child walking everywhere. The total Greenhouse emissions on the planet that year would only decrease 1%.

Bad idea...

[Quicksilver]

If people did what you suggest ...... Guess what would happen to gas prices?

Originally Posted by MrLabGuy

If every American was to quit driving tomorrow for an entire year. Every Man, Woman and Child walking everywhere.

[FSETH]

I personally don't think that idea is the answer to the problem.

I don't see gas prices really affecting the distances or frequency that people drive, especially in the US. A significant, sustained increase in gas prices may affect which cars people purchase though. The US has been on a 10-year SUV craze. Maybe the fad will change and everyone will be driving diesel wagons in the near future. They can be the soccer-mom car for the 2010's. All we need now is someone to make it cool. Are you listening Leonardo?

[motordavid]

Dingell, who has been a Mich Rep since I was 8, and still learning
to steal hubcaps, tends to push the "flat earth/everyone should have
50 cts in their pockets" approach; it has served him well for 5
decades in MI, the home of the "Company is screwing me over"
blue collar brigade, imo.

Besides my disregard for him and the entire political gang in DC,
the basic issue is not going to be fixed by a rip off tax on gas
and other petroleum based fuels. And, that proposed FiftyCent
would be p issed away like 99% of the revs the Gov't takes in...

They could "earmark" those monies for "energy reform", "alt fuels",
moonbeam cars, whatever, but about 10cts on the dollar would
ever find its way to that earmark and, if/when it did, that too
would be wasted on do nothing projects and a few more layers
of bureaucrats, in charge of that moonbeam project, imo.

If we are hoping Gov't is gonna fix us, we are hoping to hit the
Lotto, too.

[MrLabGuy]

Originally Posted by FSETH

I personally don't think that idea is the answer to the problem.

I don't see gas prices really affecting the distances or frequency that people drive, especially in the US. A significant, sustained increase in gas prices may affect which cars people purchase though. The US has been on a 10-year SUV craze. Maybe the fad will change and everyone will be driving diesel wagons in the near future. They can be the soccer-mom car for the 2010's. All we need now is someone to make it cool. Are you listening Leonardo?

Good point but you can do that with legislation and avoid the need to raise taxes. I don't like the idea of either of those options; however, I also don't like the thought that we are lining the pockets of our enemies in the Middle East with our dependence on foreign oil.

We really need to hunker down and find a alternative to fossil fuels.