New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman wants to see a higher gas tax and he is right. I'm not saying that I would enjoy forking over more money at the pump, but less dependence on oil is good for the environment, for our health and for our national security.Americans have long had the true costs of fuel subsidized and with global warming affecting us more, with our nation filled with overweight folks, and with the geopolitical machinations of the Middle East constantly pulling us in, we need to do what European nations have done for years: use higher gas taxes to raise money and discourage driving.
It may hurt a little, but sometimes we have to do what is best for the greater good. Our men and women in uniform and their families must not be the only ones who sacrifice for their countrymen. While I sit here comfortably and watch them on the news, I have no gripe if all I have to do is part with a few extra bucks.
2 comments:
I didn't have a problem with Patrick's proposal to raise the state gasoline tax as a fund raising mechanism. When the feds talk about it, it's being done with an eye toward using taxing powers to control behavior, and I draw the line there. No increase. Rising fuel prices are disincentive enough.
My husband and I went to Scotland last year. We rented a car and drove well over a thousand miles and filled up only once. It was a normal sized 4 door car with a hatchback. The only place we saw SUVs was near a resort an hour outside of Glasgow that was billed as "for Americans." I truly believe the reason for the dominance of sedans and hatchbacks, and the support for the very well run public transit system (even in the rural areas), was because of the $9 per gallon cost of gas.
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