Would the United States be better off if the price of gasoline was gradually raised to $6.00 per gallon?

Question

Currently gasoline in the U.S. costs less than $3.00 per gallon. In Europe, $6.00 to $7.00 per gallon gas is common. Why can't we have it here?

If we were to add a 25 cent per gallon tax to the price of gasoline, and increase it by 25 cents each year until the price hit $6.00, people would buy smaller cars; we would contribute less to global warming; we would reduce our dependence on foreign oil; our government would have money to pay for the Iraq war (which many people think had something to do with oil); and there would renewed interest in using and improving public transportation. On the other, hand there would be a lot of complaining about pain at the pump. What do you think? - Are there more pro or con reasons for increasing the price of gasoline?

Answer 1

The only problem is income....we don't make enough money to keep up with the expense of gasoline. Consider the amount of minimum wage and the number of people that are earning it.
If we all made $100K per year, no problem....raise it now. There are so many people at poverty level how do they afford to pay for gas to get to work.

Answer 2

Yes as probably the biggest contributor to the greenhouse effect exhaust fumes need to decrease so if fuel prices cars will be used more economically (car pooling), or use public tranport more often, or get fitter walking places- all of which would be a good thing!

Answer 3

The market (and OPEC) dictate the price of oil. Artificially inflating the cost of gasoline would not solve any more problems then it would create.

Answer 4

Umm no lets not raise the prices, some people can't afford the expense of gas the way it is. If it raised any more i would start living in my jeep. (lol) but silly question you are asking, i am sure i am not the only one who feels this way.