Do you agree with Democrats that gasoline taxes should be raised by $.50 per gallon?

Question

August 10, 2007

(CNSNews.com) - The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee this week announced a plan to fight global warming by reducing carbon emissions up to 80 percent by the year 2050. This would be done by raising gasoline taxes 50 cents per gallon and ending mortgage tax deductions on large houses, which the Michigan Democrat called "McMansions."

During town hall meetings in Ann Arbor and in Dearborn, Rep. John Dingell said he will make these proposals as part of a multi-tiered bill he will introduce on Sept. 1 in his committee, which handles legislation dealing with global warming.

Some home-contracting firms, however, criticized Dingell's proposal as misguided and economically detrimental. And some conservative tax experts agreed, noting that Americans already pay too much in taxes and raising taxes more will only curtail consumption and investment.

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200708/NAT20070810a.html

Answer 1

Hypocrites!...These libtards rant ad nauseum about Republican ties to the oil industry then turn around and persist in their bogus tax and spend modus operandi and demand a pointless tax on gasoline. Will the Democrat constituency ever wake up and see these socialist pigs for what they are?...Weasels!...Oh, I almost forgot...the majority of their constituency are socialists themselves...

Answer 2

No matter how much I try to wrap my brain around it, I just can not figure out how ending mortgage tax deductions on large houses help curtail carbon emissions. Except maybe the energy that it uses to heat and light it. However, doesn't Kennedy, Hillary, Bill, and Obama plus all of Hollywood and most sports celebrities all live in these type of large houses? Just another liberal attempt to increase the gap between the rich and the poor. As if we do not already pay enough in taxes when it comes to gasoline! I don't know about you but I have noticed lately there is an extremely aggressive move to push up the socialistic agenda and to broaden the gap between the rich and the poor. The new tobacco tax and FDA takeover is another big push because regardless what the media likes to portray, the biggest percentage of smokers comes from poor to middle class. The same with the extra gas tax, that too would be funded primarily by the poor to middle class. Thomas Jefferson said that we as a country should have a revolution every 20 years to keep our freedom fresh. I think we are way past due for a revolution.

Answer 3

These things work in cycles. We are concluding a cycle of cheap, (sl)easy credit which fueled the housing and stock market bubbles. We are now entering a credit tightening cycle and higher tax cycle. As misguided as they are, they go hand in hand and are usually championed by Democrats. Just wait until the housing crunch really gets bad and the Dems go looking for scapegoats. Higher gas taxes will affect the little guys the most; those living paycheck to paycheck, etc. This measure will prove to be inflationary. Eliminating the mortgage interest deduction will add another blow to the housing market currently experiencing a "standing 8 count". We are at a critical juncture in the economy wherein the Fed will have to decide between deflation and inflation. I am predicting an inflationary cycle; Bernanke's Fed is going to let loose the printing presses in an effort to print their way out of the mess created by too much easy, cheap credit. But ultimately it won't do any good. We could very well be entering a period of high inflation and low growth that will make the 70's look like a picnic. But don't worry, Queen Hillary will ride in to save the day in '08 with higher taxes, more wealth re-distribution programs, etc.

Answer 4

Thats a good question! Not sure if I could answer this one properly, since Im a disabled veteran and dont pay any taxes; But I must disagree with the Dems.....But what a wonderful way to make up for that.... AHEM.... "minimum wage" increase eh?
They know daaam good and well that people still need to drive to work!
About 25 years ago carpooling was supposed to lower emissions and the threat of global warming too as I recall, but it hasnt done squat! LOL "Gasoline taxes already make up about 30% of the pump price dont they?
The funny thing with taxes is they always try to make you think that the low and middle income wage earners will pay less and the wealthy we be taxed more! We all know good and well it NEVER really works out that way!

Answer 5

Dingy is being a true Liberal. Liberals raise taxes on behaviors they see as causing problems. They're trying to stop the behavior. If you want to cut down on emissions, raise the tax on gas, and force people into using less. True

Liberals show their true colors when they institute tax hikes like this. Who gets hurt by higher taxes on gas, cigarettes, alcohol, etc.? It's the blue collar guy. A young construction guy who works his tail off buys three gallons a gas, a pack of smokes and a quart a beer for a little under 20 dollars. That's ridiculous. He can't afford to buy a carton. He can't afford a full tank of gas. (Construction work in a big city requires you to drive a lot.) His Liberal Democratic politicians are making sure he can't afford anything we used to call fun.

I love the McMansion reference. 3000 feet is a mansion? Is this like Al Gore calling anyone who makes 200 grand a year a millionaire? Because in 5 years they make a million? I have a lot of friends living in 3000 square feet house that don't consider themselves living in mansions. So how many people picking out or building a home will make sure it's 2900 sq ft? How long will it be before Congress catches on and reduces the McMansion limit to 2500 sq ft? And then makes the tax retroactive?

Answer 6

No, of course not. I heard this whole thing on the radio and said to myself, this is ridiculous, especially the house size limit for mortage deduction, they want to make it 3000 sq ft. A lot of regular people have 3000 sq ft houses. They may have big families etc and it is just wrong. If someone's house is bigger they pay more taxes anyway.
Gas costs enough as it is and raising the tax will hurt the little guy a lot more. My own little car cost more than double to put gas into than when I bought it in 2002.

Answer 7

Not a surprise... it's the typical Democrat answer to *any* problem... Raise Taxes!... and I would bet that there is a mass transit subsidy in the wings some where to help the "economically disadvantaged" with their new transportation problems that will be caused by the gas tax increase.... the more dependents on government the better the Democrats like it...

Answer 8

Since the Democrats as usual haven't fully though out their solution before they speak, came up with a solution that will both kill the economy & the energy will not be there in 2050 anyway.

If you wish to have energy both economically available & non-nuclear one is going to have to change the economics of Renewable Energy. The design of the infrastructure will have to be such that sell-able spin-off benefits are generated right along with the energy to keep the 1st world economy running.

Too bad both sides of the aisle don't wish to think that long range.

Answer 9

This is the answer to all the problems according to the dem's.

Just like the tax on gas was supposed to be for the roads and bridges, that goes into the general fund and they spend it on everything but what it was to be for.

This is a good thing though, people will see what they are doing and plan to do. This will just about guarantee a Republican in office. providing they can sell to the people that they have changed.

Answer 10

Bush already gave it the thumbs down on that one after it was suggested we need to raise gas tax to pay for new inspections after the I35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis.

And the last I heard, the Alaskan pipeline has been down for some time now while it is being rebuilt due to the corrosion.
Not sure, owned by BP? (British Petroleum)