I'm with you, except when you get to preferring CAFE. That is still socialist, IMO. It forces the companies to sell something that isn't necessarily being demanded.

The point of the tax idea is that you are affecting the demand side, not the supply side.

If "we" as a society decide that we want more fuel efficient vehicles to reduce oil consumption, that is great. But that means we have to put our money where our mouths are and actually demand such vehicles with our wallets. Having the gov't institute CAFE but then ignoring the offerings that get good fuel economy is lame on the part of the public.

That's fine if you want it to be a free market decision (i.e. leave the tax idea out of it and just let the market decide), but CAFE is not free market. Basically, CAFE puts the onus on the makers, while individuals can go ahead and buy their Suburban or Excursion or Sequoia and let someone else buy the little cars that will help cut down on oil consumption; there is little direct incentive for them (other than the normal price of gasoline).

 

Excellent post. I wonder how many people on hear realize how much money the gov makes off of the oil industry as a whole. Their profits are probably more than the oil companies, and they do nothing to earn it, and have no risk in the process. And where does all that money go? Welfare, Katrina whiners, and a war that will get us nothing.

 

I say dump CAFE, but gas taxes...........we don't need anymore! The $$$ would surely NOT go to road repairs, it would get looted for other crap, just like they do now.

 

F]ederal and state taxes on gasoline production and imports have been climbing steadily since the late 1970s and now total roughly $58.4 billion. Due in part to substantial hikes in the federal gasoline excise tax in 1983, 1990, and 1993, annual tax revenues have continued to grow. Since 1977, governments collected more than $1.34 trillion, after adjusting for inflation, in gasoline tax revenues—more than twice the amount of domestic profits earned by major U.S. oil companies during the same period:

 

Ok. As you noted though - I said "prefer" CAFE to an increased gas tax. That doesn't mean I like CAFE.

And even with a higher gas tax, you'll still have people driving around the big SUVs - there are plenty of people that can afford it. Someone else will still end up buying the little, thrifty cars.

Bob

 

Plus all the income taxes from the people that work in the oil industry and the royaltys paid by the oil companies. I cant remember the number, but the oill companies pay a big amount per barrel to the state for oil that is pulled out of the ground here.

 

I am just so sick and tired of hearing all the rhetoric from people who demonize the oil companies as if making money were a bad thing. Meanwhile those same people promote massive government spending, laws and regulations aimed at "protecting" us. Liars, the lot of them and they lie for a good reason. They lie to stay in or gain power over people who do not know better.

 

You missed my point. I was talking about the disparity of current prices. Why should two stations located across the street from each other be 30¢ different?

 

Subtract out military expenditures and it's probably a net loss for the government. Oil Politics aren't really about making money for the gubernmint -- it's about maintaining the USA's economic position in the world.

Right now, Congress is trying to repeal $14 billion in oil company tax breaks and subsidies. That's a lot of money, and that's just the exceptions.

 

Ponykillr, your post shows me how mature and how many books you've read.
But I live in the real world, you obviously do not. And yes, I read it.
Profit margin is an attempt to ease one's conscience. Read profit above.
Maybe I'm not an econimc genius, but I know right from wrong...and when 95% of America can barely afford to fill their tank while Oil companies declare RECORD PROFITS is wrong, no matter how you slice it.
I also believe Lawmakers depend on people like you, who seem to know a field or speciality, but not much about life or what's going on around you. We're becoming not much more than robots or computers, no idividual thought, but full of others' thoughts and opinions...



Bob, I don't want Gov't control of anything, nor more taxes...how did I come across like I did?
I'd like to see current taxes be put to better use.
Large corporations, again and again, are involved in scandel after scandel...
Do you believe they aren't evil??
Do they care about you??
Whether you live or die, eat or not, as long as their stockholders get fat?
But maybe you are a big-time investor as well.
The thing is, Bob, we can't just decide one day NOT to put gas in our tank, not to go to work...we have families, we have to provide for...we MUST buy their GAS...is what I'm trying to say.
But maybe noone but me on this board has to worry about money..
And I'm d@mned sure tired of my tax money going to corporate wars, (see Iraq...)

.
The East India company, heavily vested by members of Parliment, pressured Parliment into passing taxes to pay for their Company's money problems. The colonists refused to be in directly ruled by Big Buisness, and revolted...could happen again, since an obvious relapse has occurred.

 

Who cares? So the gov't should fix that, too? I suggest going across the street and getting the cheaper gas.

Looked that way to me. If I was wrong, then my bust. But how else doesn't gov't control where your money goes?

Not going to happen till we see the current politicians put out to pasture.

No, I don't think they're evil. No, I don't think they care about anything other than my money (nor do I care if they do or not).

Every large entitity - be it Gov't, Corporations, Charity, the UN, whatever - has or will have its share of scandals and crooks. Sucks, but that's the way it is. A lot of folks go off on oil companies because they have to pay for the gas in their precious SUVs, Camaros, and Mustangs.

BTW...while Corporations only care about my money, politicians only care about my vote, from which they derive power (real power, not just economic), and from which they too derive wealth. So who really cares about me? Answer: Me. And that's the way it should be. I don't need nor want a handout from the Gov't.

Don't care. Maybe you should hold some of that stock? Got free market?

I wish I was. Probably should be. But I'm not, and it doesn't change my view one bit. That is - keep the gov't OUT.

Duh. But you know what? I could use a LOT less gas. I could do a LOT less travel. I could carpool more. I could do this, that, or the other. In the end, I don't WANT the Gov't trying to "help me". The gov't should set the stage for people to prosper - if they are so inclined - then get the hell out of the way.

Higher gas taxes will help NOONE. At all.

Ya. You keep believing that. I have all the money I want all the time. Then go ask the gov't to steal from the rich at the point of a gun and give to the poor. That's gov't purpose I'm sure...yup...gotta be in the Constitution somewhere.

Every war is a "Corporate war". Every war is a political war. Every war is opposed by some group or groups. In the end, I see that you simply tow the leftist line. Oh well, we all have to tow one line or another.

I'll tow one that is closer to more free market, less gov't, and more personal responsibility. You depend on the Gov't. I'll depend on me.

BTW....I didn't have to worry about money as much when I was over in Iraq helping fight that "Corporate War" as you call it. Wonder why?

Bob

PS...who in their right mind would call the current economy "crappy"?

 

Well, I guess Bob is officially back. Welcome back bud.

 

LOL. For better or for worse.

Thanks.
Bob

 

Right on man!

 

If people can't afford to fill their tanks the correct thign for government to do is develope/build more mass transit.