Standing on principle on the gas tax
Kudos to Barak Obama for standing up for principle on the gas tax issue. If there ever was an issue that Democrats and Republicans alike should support, it is breaking our reliance on oil and imported oil. As awful as current oil process are, they are at very least strengthening the market for exploring alternatives. Many have credibly argues that an even higher gas tax, or carbon tax, would create even greater certainty in the markets that investments made today in alternative energy will not be wiped out in the future if gas prices fall, as happened after that 1970s oil crisis. The gas tax is one minimal way of ensuring even a minimal basic floor for pricing. Additionally, almost all major newspapers have recognized that eliminating the gas tax, even temporarily, will proportionately increase demand. Instead of temporarily eliminating the gas tax (making the re-imposition of it politically very tough), wouldn’t it be better for political leaders to be promoting energy efficiency and conservation? The easiest things that any politician can do to gain popularity is to give away money, but this is not leadership. Bipartisan leadership requires making the tough decisions that are in the common good, which is what Obama is demonstrating in this situation.
No related posts.
[...] by Daniel Rosenblum Standing on Principle on the Gas Tax (Partnership for a Secure America) Filed under [...]
Pingback on May 2, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
“Standing on Principle” recognizes the critically important point that “investments made today in alternative energy will not be wiped out in the future if gas prices fall…” Before businesses and individuals make investments in energy efficiency and other alternatives to fossil-fuels, they need confidence that their investments are going to pay off. A gradually increasing carbon tax provides a clear trajectory of rising energy prices that provides time to adjust, and to made economically viable investments that will reduce our reliance on oil and at the same time reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For more information on carbon taxes, see the Carbon Tax Center’s web site at http://www.carbontax.org.
Comment on May 2, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
Barack was for the gas tax holiday before he was against it. Just for the record–he supported it in the Illinois senate. Of course, it is not the same as Hillary’s Iraq war bit, but maybe we should all admit politicians can change their mind for the best.
Comment on May 6, 2008 @ 12:56 pm