Forgetfulness May Cost Us
Monday, January 5, 2009
The idea has been around for some time. It's been controversial, so much so that most politicians will never bring it up, let alone debate it.
The idea is this: a raise in the federal gas tax. A substantial raise of ten to fifteen cents a gallon, maybe more.
The idea has been proposed by a couple of governmental commissions, the latest the commission on Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing. That's a fancy title for a commission charged with coming up with ways to finance road construction and repair, something nearly everyone agrees is sorely needed.
It's an idea that has been advanced many times by Tom Friedman, the Pulitzer prize winning columnist for the New York Times who is considered by many an expert on environmental issues, energy use and also the Middle East and the production of oil.
The federal gas tax now is 18 cents a gallon and the money is supposed to go for highway construction and repair. Most of it does, but not all, and nearly everyone agrees more is needed.
But aside from the obvious need for highway construction and repair, there is something else: this country appears to have the shortest collective memory in the world.
Now that gas prices are under two dollars a gallon, it's almost as if we have all forgotten that less than four months ago the price was around four dollars a gallon and people were hurting. The sales of gas guzzling SUVs were down and people were driving less in response to high gas prices.
Now we are told that SUV sales are starting to pick up and people are starting to drive more. I find this amazing. Does anyone really think that gas prices are going to remain at the level they are now? No reasonable person who has studied the issue at all would say so, but many act as if "happy times are here again."
Those in favor of a higher gas tax say it would mean reduced demand. It would keep more money here in America and send less to places like Iran and Russia. But most importantly it would make people think of buying smaller, fuel efficient cars and in so doing would force Detroit to make more of those cars.
I am not expert enough or smart enough to say the gas tax should be raised (many think the raise should be forty to fifty cents), but I do know this: the time is long past when a higher gas tax is a non-starter. It's an issue that should be very much on the table, in discussion among the general public, debate among the decision makers and congressional hearings to fully air the issue. If that debate doesn't take place, then we may look back and realize we paid a very heavy price for being forgetful.
The idea is this: a raise in the federal gas tax. A substantial raise of ten to fifteen cents a gallon, maybe more.
The idea has been proposed by a couple of governmental commissions, the latest the commission on Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing. That's a fancy title for a commission charged with coming up with ways to finance road construction and repair, something nearly everyone agrees is sorely needed.
It's an idea that has been advanced many times by Tom Friedman, the Pulitzer prize winning columnist for the New York Times who is considered by many an expert on environmental issues, energy use and also the Middle East and the production of oil.
The federal gas tax now is 18 cents a gallon and the money is supposed to go for highway construction and repair. Most of it does, but not all, and nearly everyone agrees more is needed.
But aside from the obvious need for highway construction and repair, there is something else: this country appears to have the shortest collective memory in the world.
Now that gas prices are under two dollars a gallon, it's almost as if we have all forgotten that less than four months ago the price was around four dollars a gallon and people were hurting. The sales of gas guzzling SUVs were down and people were driving less in response to high gas prices.
Now we are told that SUV sales are starting to pick up and people are starting to drive more. I find this amazing. Does anyone really think that gas prices are going to remain at the level they are now? No reasonable person who has studied the issue at all would say so, but many act as if "happy times are here again."
Those in favor of a higher gas tax say it would mean reduced demand. It would keep more money here in America and send less to places like Iran and Russia. But most importantly it would make people think of buying smaller, fuel efficient cars and in so doing would force Detroit to make more of those cars.
I am not expert enough or smart enough to say the gas tax should be raised (many think the raise should be forty to fifty cents), but I do know this: the time is long past when a higher gas tax is a non-starter. It's an issue that should be very much on the table, in discussion among the general public, debate among the decision makers and congressional hearings to fully air the issue. If that debate doesn't take place, then we may look back and realize we paid a very heavy price for being forgetful.
posted by Terri Bennett @ 1:54 PM
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