>>new items to consider:
>>
>>a) Gasoline is subsidised. Currently the US government spends about $1 for each gallon of gas we get from the mideast to "keep the peace" in that area. We can all debate whether the US should be interventionist, and if so, to what extent? If we are so active in the Gulf, why not in Africa? or stepping in between India and Pakistan? It can be argued that it is the "strategic importance" of the Mideast - the oil. Suggestion: increase the federal fuel tax to cover this cost and let the market decide if it is worth it.
>>b) Roads are falling apart. The freeway system was designed with a 20 year life cycle. When was your favorite road last replaced? The only roads in decent shape are toll roads, and you pay about 5 cents per mile to drive on them. The public roads should be funded and maintained using fuel taxes. To get the 5 cents/mile at 27MPG would require a tax of $1.35/ gallon. This is $1/gallon more than the combined Federal and State tax here in California. Increase the tax this much and again let the market decide if an SUV makes any sense.
>>
>>The true cost of gasoline in this country is closer to $4/gallon. Remove the government intervention, let the price rise to that level and let the market decide on the vehicle mix.


Do you have any sources to back up the above statements? Without sources, your numbers have as much credibility as 42% of all statistics. Also, did you parse out the "peace dividend" across the entire world as well as oil used for jets and heating? Don't forget to consider the cost of the war that is prevented (as of now anyway). As for toll roads, my quick look at the Florida Turnpike give a number close to $.05/mile. Now, what is included in that price other than maintenance or construction? In Florida,

So the 5 cents has alot of added pork to it. Other highways and rural roads would require less to maintain. What other sources do the transportation departments get their funding? Property, sales, and income taxes would need to reduced by the amount currently going into the transportation fund since it is now fully funded by the motorists. Implementing this tax is really going to be tough. If you are taxing on MPG, how do you figure that out at the pump?

The market price of gas is about 99 cents a gallon. Trying to add all the infrastructure into that cost is ridiculous. What you have tried to figure out is the true cost of each mile driven, but that number isn't quite right either.

AUsomTiger

 

Ok, let me try to follow this.

There is no more communist threat from Russia, and we can't use the natural resources in Alaska. Let's just get rid of them. Sell 'em to Canada.

 

Just do it!

 

I was in the Navy and fought in Bush War Part 1. This alone gives me plenty of right to hate Bush War Part 2.

 

>>This was a man that ran on a platform of moderation and centrism.

God, please spare me from fence sitters!

 

Talk about missing the point.

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