Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,600
From: Pewee Valley, KY
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Originally Posted by Chuck!
Guion, you're 100% right that I'm deathly afraid of more taxes. The government takes 26% of my check every month and I'm only five months removed from college. How much more do they need?
Nothing against you Chuck but just stating my opinion.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,000
From: TX Med Ctr
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Eh, the problem with taxes is that since we all don't agree with what the government should and shouldn't be spending on we can't always see the utility in paying the amount we do now let alone more.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,610
From: Cincinnati, OH
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Originally Posted by HAZ-Matt
Eh, the problem with taxes is that since we all don't agree with what the government should and shouldn't be spending on we can't always see the utility in paying the amount we do now let alone more.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 235
From: South Carolina
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Originally Posted by 91_z28_4me
Around the begining of the country it was closer to 70%! Taxes pay for stuff the government does without it they do even less! I pay my fair share and will NEVER cheat on my taxes.
Nothing against you Chuck but just stating my opinion.
Nothing against you Chuck but just stating my opinion.
Damn, I do have some like minded compadres in this place! I still don't think there are too many of us though!
I for one, however, realize that there is no free lunch and money doesn't grow on trees, and I like the idea of police, fire, roads, social security for old and disabled people, etc, etc, etc. They need to change the word from the much vilified "taxes" to something like "SSSB", "Shared Sacrifice Shared Benefit".Alas though, it seems more of the country would rather give some Exxon executive enough of a tax break to buy a couple of new GT500s and pay cash.
Oh well, maybe one day folks will wake up, but I'm not holding my breath!
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,402
From: Toronto, ON Canada
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Originally Posted by jg95z28
Sure it may end up raising gas prices to 4 or 5 dollars a gallon, however the prices would stabilize, we'd have better roads and more people would be able to enjoy the use of a network of transit systems connected nationwide. (Please don't talk about government subsidized Amtrak... what a joke.)
When governments collect large sums of money, they don't just keep it in one place. Neither do they use it solely for the intended purpose. All of the sudden, with the influx of cash, it is possible to realize certain "dreams" for which the funds were not meant. There are priorities. Roads and transit are important, but why not divert it to <insert other cause here> instead?
And this is why I will oppose any price increase, even if temporary. Do you remember Income Tax, and where it came from, how it originated? It was often introduced as temporary measures to raise emergency funds, usually for war. After the war ended, the tax remained. Which government, in their right selfish mind, wants to actually say No to this great, neverending cash flow?
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,402
From: Toronto, ON Canada
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Originally Posted by ianwells100
that is a fantastic idea... except how do bad drivers pay higher rates? it cant be fair that all people (assuming same # miles driven) pay the same rate
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Originally Posted by 91_z28_4me
Around the begining of the country it was closer to 70%! Taxes pay for stuff the government does without it they do even less! I pay my fair share and will NEVER cheat on my taxes.
Nothing against you Chuck but just stating my opinion.
Nothing against you Chuck but just stating my opinion.
Originally Posted by 91_z28_4me
I pay my fair share and will NEVER cheat on my taxes.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,402
From: Toronto, ON Canada
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Originally Posted by willz
A. Tax gas in the US, proceeds to independent researchers for alternative sources of energy
B. Revoke any tax credits for fat cats making over 200,000 per year and for mega corporations (ESPECIALLY THE OIL INDUSTRY)
C. Revoke the tax break that the Bush Administration gave to small businesses to buy gas guzzling SUVs
D. Invoke tax breaks for those individuals and small businesses who purchase hybrid, diesel, or flex fuel vehicles. Graduate the amount of the tax cut-the better the fuel economy of the vehicle, the bigger the tax break.
E. Use a portion of the gas tax to build an effective E85 and biodiesel infrastructure
F. Bring the terrorists we subsidize with every gallon of gas we buy to their knees without firing a shot by cutting off their funding with our energy independence!
G. Most important, ELECT THE GUYS, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, THAT WILL DO THE ABOVE!!!
Just a few thoughts
B. Revoke any tax credits for fat cats making over 200,000 per year and for mega corporations (ESPECIALLY THE OIL INDUSTRY)
C. Revoke the tax break that the Bush Administration gave to small businesses to buy gas guzzling SUVs
D. Invoke tax breaks for those individuals and small businesses who purchase hybrid, diesel, or flex fuel vehicles. Graduate the amount of the tax cut-the better the fuel economy of the vehicle, the bigger the tax break.
E. Use a portion of the gas tax to build an effective E85 and biodiesel infrastructure
F. Bring the terrorists we subsidize with every gallon of gas we buy to their knees without firing a shot by cutting off their funding with our energy independence!
G. Most important, ELECT THE GUYS, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, THAT WILL DO THE ABOVE!!!
Just a few thoughts
As for terrorist funding... You assume that governments of Saudi Arabia actually sponsor terrorist activities. This subject is based on so many lies, statistics and more damn lies that it's impossible to be discussing it and feel that we're hitting the nail on the head. But to address this issue... The United States buys just around 6% of its oil from Saudi Arabia. Another 6% from Nigeria. That's only 12%. Saudi Arabia has many buyers. There is a growing market in Asia, for example, that I am sure will be able to fill the void left by the US if it chooses to leave.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,402
From: Toronto, ON Canada
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Originally Posted by HAZ-Matt
I completely agree. But then again, I have been accused of being a socialist and/or communist on more than one occasion. I think that some real investment in some infrastructure would go a long way (even though it would cost us some tax money short term). Mass transit could work here in the states if we didn't half-**** it so badly.
And another random annoying thing are useless stoplights. We have a main street here in Galveston that has eleventy billion lights on it. However they are not timed/synchronized for the main street, and there aren't pressure sensors on the lame side-streets. Left turn lanes with only the protected arrow and no nonprotected green also annoy me. Just as bad are worthless 4 way stop intersections that could be better served with a roundabout. Useless stops and starts multiplied by practically every car times the shear number of stupid intersections in this country adds up to a decent chunk of gas. And something like a roundabout doesn't even cost more money than a regular intersection. I guess us Americans are just to friggin stupid to use a roundabout without running into someone. And God forbid some person that shouldn't have a license in the first place gets in an accident. It's our job to protect dumb people from themselves. It's pretty funny; when I was in Ecuador last year, I was getting directions. I was asked what we called a traffic circle/ roundabout in English. I kinda chuckled to myself because we practically don't have them here (outside of the random town square in the north) and so we don't call them anything
And another random annoying thing are useless stoplights. We have a main street here in Galveston that has eleventy billion lights on it. However they are not timed/synchronized for the main street, and there aren't pressure sensors on the lame side-streets. Left turn lanes with only the protected arrow and no nonprotected green also annoy me. Just as bad are worthless 4 way stop intersections that could be better served with a roundabout. Useless stops and starts multiplied by practically every car times the shear number of stupid intersections in this country adds up to a decent chunk of gas. And something like a roundabout doesn't even cost more money than a regular intersection. I guess us Americans are just to friggin stupid to use a roundabout without running into someone. And God forbid some person that shouldn't have a license in the first place gets in an accident. It's our job to protect dumb people from themselves. It's pretty funny; when I was in Ecuador last year, I was getting directions. I was asked what we called a traffic circle/ roundabout in English. I kinda chuckled to myself because we practically don't have them here (outside of the random town square in the north) and so we don't call them anything
I am so disappointed in our road system. There appears to be this underlying feeling that drivers and cars are the epitomy of evil, and must be controlled in every way possible/imaginable. Crap, more than half the population drives, and yet we still vote for stupid decisions that restrict the flow of traffic and even severely interfere with it. Oh, would anybody just think of the children!
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,043
From: Shelbyville, IN
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
I believe the Bush Administrations "SUV" Tax Cut is meant for the Middle American Small Farms. Although, they did a poor job implementing this as there was no stipulation making it "Farms" only (which would be ok w/ me) - now every small business (even sales forces) are getting them...
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Originally Posted by Chrome383Z
$1.50-$2.00 Gas Tax would throw this country into a Recession like you've never seen. IMO
Yes it sucks that we would have to pay that extra 50¢, but if that money was spent to help make cars get an extra 25% more miles out of a gallon then the fuel savings would cancel out that cost increase. Putting the tax on gas and not E85 would also help push Ethanol into the mainstream and put more money in farmers pockets.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,769
From: cinci
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Originally Posted by muckz
I am losing faith in the general goodness (TM) of governments to trust that the $1.50 or $2 surcharge for a gallon of gas will be appropriated rightly. No doubt the intentions will be noble, but what will happen in the process?
When governments collect large sums of money, they don't just keep it in one place. Neither do they use it solely for the intended purpose. All of the sudden, with the influx of cash, it is possible to realize certain "dreams" for which the funds were not meant. There are priorities. Roads and transit are important, but why not divert it to <insert other cause here> instead?
And this is why I will oppose any price increase, even if temporary. Do you remember Income Tax, and where it came from, how it originated? It was often introduced as temporary measures to raise emergency funds, usually for war. After the war ended, the tax remained. Which government, in their right selfish mind, wants to actually say No to this great, neverending cash flow?
When governments collect large sums of money, they don't just keep it in one place. Neither do they use it solely for the intended purpose. All of the sudden, with the influx of cash, it is possible to realize certain "dreams" for which the funds were not meant. There are priorities. Roads and transit are important, but why not divert it to <insert other cause here> instead?
And this is why I will oppose any price increase, even if temporary. Do you remember Income Tax, and where it came from, how it originated? It was often introduced as temporary measures to raise emergency funds, usually for war. After the war ended, the tax remained. Which government, in their right selfish mind, wants to actually say No to this great, neverending cash flow?
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 235
From: South Carolina
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Originally Posted by muckz
Oh, you mean attempt a more socialist government?
As for terrorist funding... You assume that governments of Saudi Arabia actually sponsor terrorist activities. This subject is based on so many lies, statistics and more damn lies that it's impossible to be discussing it and feel that we're hitting the nail on the head. But to address this issue... The United States buys just around 6% of its oil from Saudi Arabia. Another 6% from Nigeria. That's only 12%. Saudi Arabia has many buyers. There is a growing market in Asia, for example, that I am sure will be able to fill the void left by the US if it chooses to leave.
As for terrorist funding... You assume that governments of Saudi Arabia actually sponsor terrorist activities. This subject is based on so many lies, statistics and more damn lies that it's impossible to be discussing it and feel that we're hitting the nail on the head. But to address this issue... The United States buys just around 6% of its oil from Saudi Arabia. Another 6% from Nigeria. That's only 12%. Saudi Arabia has many buyers. There is a growing market in Asia, for example, that I am sure will be able to fill the void left by the US if it chooses to leave.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,977
From: SeVa
Re: Gas price, inflation, and the american public
Originally Posted by willz
G. Most important, ELECT THE GUYS, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, THAT WILL DO THE ABOVE!!!
Just a few thoughts
Just a few thoughts