I don't know why we pay so little for gas. I am as gluttonous as the next (as far as wanting to drive when and where I want), but believe raising the price of gas is overdue.
Raising gas prices, in order to bring in tax revenue, is a reasonable accommodation for Americans. One Wikipedia web page (dated 2008) sites that many western countries pay 3 to 4 times the prices we pay in America ... with roughly 75% of the cost resulting from Taxes. This same practice would surely help alleviate the deficit. We pay so-called "sin" taxes on cigarettes and alcohol ... why not gasoline?
I believe the unintended consequences would also be more positive than negative. For example; Raising prices would likely increase the use of alternatives to driving, including mass transportation and non-fossil fuel travel alternatives. That would in turn have positive environmental impacts. Think about the innovations that budding entrepreneurs would come up with if the average American was disgruntled over excessive gas prices? I suggest there would be many initiatives to help us adjust while reducing fuels consumption.
The US is in debt. We all need to pay more for what we use, without complaining, and learn to genuinely cut back.
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