Why the Gas Tax Should Be RAISED
The price of a barrel of oil has been hitting record highs near $130 recently and gas prices couldn’t be higher(or could they). People claim there is global warming and it is being caused by the world’s dependency on oil and other fossil fuels. Politicians are telling us that they are doing everything they can to try to help Americans lower their gas bills. Well I don’t believe them! There is a simple solution to the problem but they are afraid to enact it because the public might not understand it and for heaven sakes not re-elect them. Well here is the solution: Raise the Gas Tax! Before you call me crazy and leave my site at least hear out the plan
My Plan:
The tax on a gallon of gasoline would be raised $2-3.00 over the course of 3 years. This will give people time to start looking for more efficient cars if they want them and businesses time to find more efficient ways to transport goods etc.
All extra funds raised from this new gas tax would be returned to lower and middle income families in the form of rebate check. This would more than pay for any increase in gas price felt at the pump or when shopping (because the increased cost of transporting goods would probably increase the price of everything slightly).
The benefits:
1) Decreased dependence on foreign oil - Every time you fill up your tank of gas, you are essentially handing over part of your paycheck to foreign countries you probably don’t even like. Increasing the price will lower demand causing the price that the Petroleum Exporting Countries get to go down. This is what we want!
2) Good for the environment - Since the price of gas is so expensive now, people will start driving less and start buying more fuel efficient cars. This will be great for the environment. It will mean less greenhouse gases and cleaner smog-free cities
3) Another Robin Hood tax - Everyone seems to hate the rich, well this is your opportunity to take their money and give it to the people who need it more. Increased fuel prices will increase the price of everything. Since rich people buy more stuff, they will be paying for more of this increase than us common folk. The poor and middle class people will get this money back in the form of rebates so we will probably make money out of the whole thing!
4) Cause innovation - To increase efficiency and use less on fuel, we will need newer and better technologies. Necessity is the mother of all invention. The reason changes haven’t happened faster is because we haven’t needed them. Gas hasn’t been too expensive yet.
5) Creates new jobs- Well someone has to be innovating for #4. That will mean more jobs(the high paying kind). We will need engineers and entrepreneurs to solve these problems which is good for us Americans(harder to outsource).
European countries have done this long ago and it is working out great for them. Their gas prices are upwards of $7 a gallon in some places. They all drive smaller, more efficient cars and have better public transportation. It is time America joins the bandwagon and helps solve this problem. Better late than never.
Many times people are unable to manage in the car loans or worse, the student loans they are offered. As a result they start getting cheap loans. IF not paid on time, they can be converted into a bad credit loan.
