One of the multiple issues with policy debates nowadays is that they often tend to be not open and taken all to literally. Take the “difficulty” of inflated gas prices. The answer? Tax the oil businesses! Put a cap on prices! Start investigations into price gouging! Remove environmental restrictions on clean-burning gas!
Thats ignorant. We should take different look. Here are a couple of pertinent facts:
* It’s beneficial that gas fees are rising. We want people to purchase more fuel-efficient autos and we want people to drive less. In the long run, oil prices are going to rise up whether we like it or not.
* The poor are the ones hit hardest by high gas prices, they have the least income and oftentimes are stuck in living and work situations that don’t allow them to drive less.
Even so, there are a few policy decisions, some local, some federal, just randomly, that make a lot more sense than whining about the oil industry:
* Cut the tax from the payroll — place more money in the hands of the low income folks, the working poor. Figure that in by increasing taxes on the wealthy return them to the rates we had back when Clinton was around, which allowed for alot of economic growth, thanks.
* Finance and develop urban transit systems.
* Raise the corporate average fuel economy standards.
* Provide federally-funded, high-speed internet connections, all over — very similar to interstate system — and give rewards to employers who allow employees to telecommute.
* Provide government health coverage , perhaps then people wont be so terrified to change jobs.
* Tax the hell out of fuel-inefficient cars and truck purchases and send the money into rewards for fuel-efficient vehicle purchases.
The point is to help the nation get ready for and adapt to increasing gas prices, not to force lower prices.