Presidential candidates McCain and Clinton have proposed a gas tax holiday for the summer; while Obama has not, stating that it's nothing more than a political gimmick that will not yield any meaningful gain for consumers. Among the many automotive-related sites I check daily, Edmunds Carspace blog Alternate Route is one that oftens gives me a giggle or two, as the logic often expressed there is just soooooo obvious it's hard to ignore. Today's installment is just such a case, as ModBob, a.k.a. Dub Schwartz, a.k.a...
Bob McDonald takes on this topic—and once again tells it like it is.
Escape From Reality
...And YES! DUB SCHWARTZ FOR PRESIDENT!
Escape From Reality
...And YES! DUB SCHWARTZ FOR PRESIDENT!
estreka says:
07:58 AM, 05/ 5/08
It is a complete and utter gimmick. I'm with Obama on this one. If you cease taxing gas, dealers will only raise prices back to the point where supply meets demand. The only beneficiary would be ExxonMobil.
blueguydotcom says:
10:29 AM, 05/ 5/08
It's a gimmick and stupid, costly one at that. Oil companies make out like bandits, we lose revenue and increase the problems with roads.
How silly are people to buy into these shell games? Here's your $1200! Now go spend this money as you'll have to pay it back eventually.
vvk says:
12:35 PM, 05/ 5/08
What we need to do is reduce demand. The ONLY way to do it is to INCREASE taxes. Slap a $5/gal tax and the demand will go right down. And so will prices.
ateixeira says:
12:53 PM, 05/ 5/08
This type of tax relief will only make the problem worse in the long run.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
01:08 PM, 05/ 5/08
This "relief" will take money from the already crumbling roads and bridges, and result in more traffic jams, forcing people to burn up more of the gas they think they will "save" on.
Mini Rant: We need a presidential leader and congressional body that will get serious about rebuilding our infrastructure and helping research alternative sources of energy. Mini rant done.. :-)
desmolicious says:
01:26 PM, 05/ 5/08
The comparison to Google's profits makes no sense as people do not need Google to survive, but we do need gas so we are a captive audience.
I do agree that the tax relief is a gimmick. Price of gas will just rise again to make up for it..
stovt001 says:
06:43 PM, 05/ 5/08
For the first, and I want to be very clear about this one, ONLY time I agree with Obama on this one. It sounds great until you actually think about it. Sadly, in this country even trace amounts of thinking are rarer than jackalopes. I agree with Dub about the windfall profits tax too. Since when has making a profit on something people demand been wrong? Especially a very thin profit margin at that. If you don't want the gas companies getting your money, then don't buy gas. Given the fall off in gas demand recently, it appears people are plenty capable of using less gas.
tlcruz says:
05:04 PM, 05/ 6/08
As much as a gas tax holiday sounds good or even just saving $$$$, It doesn't seem plausible nor does it make sense. It all comes to back to the simple SUPPY AND DEMAND.