2008 Woodie Awards
Gas tax relief not what it seems
Jennifer Harris
Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: Opinion
I must admit that I am one of those who wait until I am practically running on fumes before I fill up my gas tank. I don't know why I procrastinate. I know that oil prices will not magically plummet in a day's time but I keep hoping I can catch it just a few cents cheaper. This sometimes works against me and when I do finally concede defeat and go to a pump, they have risen. It is like my own personal crapshoot. It is just such an unpleasant task that I want to wait as long as possible. So when a candidate utters those magic words-"lower gas prices"- my ears perk up and my hopes rise.
Presidential hopeful John McCain knows that this tactic will play on the many strapped motorists who dread watching their money pumped from their wallets into their gas tanks. The senator has proposed removing the 18.4 cent federal tax rate on gas from Memorial Day until Labor Day. This is the time when gas prices typically hit their peak and relief would be welcomed. McCain believes this will also give the economy some much needed stimulation as gas prices affect pretty much everything else. As good as this may sound initially, many experts believe it will not make much difference to the economy and could actually hurt it. The federal gas tax supports the Highway Trust Fund, which funds road repairs as well as provides tens of thousands of jobs, and who is already facing a heavy deficit. Additionally, the more oil we import, the higher the trade and federal budget deficit becomes. McCain's proposal may give motorist a little relief initially, and I think everyone would take what they could get, but it seems to me it would just be a band-aid on a gushing wound. I think the last thing we should do is try to dig ourselves deeper into debt.
There are arguments being made that focusing on decreasing gas prices is not the route America should be taking. An economist at the Energy Policy Research Foundation believes that the government should be more focused on promoting conservation than consumption. This sounds like an ideal solution but it is difficult to practice. How far can a person scale back? People have places they need to go and it often takes a vehicle to get there. I have made efforts to scale back my driving and try to eliminate unnecessary trips. However, I still get that sick feeling in my stomach whenever I see that little needle in my dashboard approaching 'E'. I don't have an answer to what will solve our oil issues but I don't think John McCain's subpar solutions are it. He wants to be the next President and he is pandering to the people's desperation in order to help achieve this goal.
Presidential hopeful John McCain knows that this tactic will play on the many strapped motorists who dread watching their money pumped from their wallets into their gas tanks. The senator has proposed removing the 18.4 cent federal tax rate on gas from Memorial Day until Labor Day. This is the time when gas prices typically hit their peak and relief would be welcomed. McCain believes this will also give the economy some much needed stimulation as gas prices affect pretty much everything else. As good as this may sound initially, many experts believe it will not make much difference to the economy and could actually hurt it. The federal gas tax supports the Highway Trust Fund, which funds road repairs as well as provides tens of thousands of jobs, and who is already facing a heavy deficit. Additionally, the more oil we import, the higher the trade and federal budget deficit becomes. McCain's proposal may give motorist a little relief initially, and I think everyone would take what they could get, but it seems to me it would just be a band-aid on a gushing wound. I think the last thing we should do is try to dig ourselves deeper into debt.
There are arguments being made that focusing on decreasing gas prices is not the route America should be taking. An economist at the Energy Policy Research Foundation believes that the government should be more focused on promoting conservation than consumption. This sounds like an ideal solution but it is difficult to practice. How far can a person scale back? People have places they need to go and it often takes a vehicle to get there. I have made efforts to scale back my driving and try to eliminate unnecessary trips. However, I still get that sick feeling in my stomach whenever I see that little needle in my dashboard approaching 'E'. I don't have an answer to what will solve our oil issues but I don't think John McCain's subpar solutions are it. He wants to be the next President and he is pandering to the people's desperation in order to help achieve this goal.
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