Why the gas tax holiday is a bad idea:

[nomorewhopper]

1) The Saudis and Big Oil profit. The gas tax holiday is a "Sale" on a product that is supplied by our enemies. Why not put an item on sale where at least the profits will stay in this country?

2) Fewer tax dollars coming in = more loans from China. The United States will forgo significant tax revenues because of the gas tax holiday, while our expenditures (read: trillion dollar war) are expanding rapidly. In order to get enough revenues, we take out huge loans from China. This is a real issue.

3) The environment takes the toll. Why are we encouraging people to drive? Maybe our government could put milk on sale or stop collecting taxes on electricity bills or credit card interest taxes.....at least we wouldn't be giving the Saudis and China a big shot in the arm while we pollute our country into the stone age.

4) The real savings to consumers are unclear. Whether you will save any out of pocket money, our country will be in deeper debt, and the environment will once again take a beating. We will stimulate spending on gasoline, which will only put more upward pressure on prices.

Instead of using high prices as a stimulus to invest in alternative energy and decrease the miles we drive, our country is doing everything possible to cuddle up to big-oil and ensure we use as much of it as possible.

BOTTOM LINE: Any responsible politician will realize that this gas tax "holiday" is just a gimmick designed to appeal to voters who are paying lots (and lots and lots and lots) at the pump. Haven't we all been sickened by the lack of fiscal responsibility by the Republicans over the past eight years? I, for one, am fucking sick of this kind of political gamesmanship.

Our dependence on oil must end. Any policy that supports the stimulus of driving at the expense of the environment, the deficit, and our national security is a terrible idea.

Please consider alternatives to the gas tax holiday.

[TechBear_Seattle]

1. Gas tax holiday would cost (Washington) state $126 million

This seems a good place to post this. :hi:

Gas tax holiday would cost state $126 million

OLYMPIA -- The gas tax holiday proposed by Sens. John McCain and Hillary Clinton would save the typical Washington driver $28 this year but cost the state about $126 million in lost highway money and more than 4,300 highway-related jobs, according to a recent report.

With summer vacation season and the presidential election nearing, presidential candidates McCain and Clinton suggest a temporary repeal of the federal gas tax as a way to boost the economy and relieve part of the strain from skyrocketing prices.

The full article can be read at http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/361912_gastax06.html

[redqueen]

3. 4,300 jobs in that state... over 300,000 jobs nationwide. (nt)

[Selatius]

2. The gas tax mainly provides revenue for road construction work. No money = no bridge maintenance.

Not a good idea. Of course, we could always sell more Treasury bonds to countries like China, but we have to pay it back.

[WildClarySage]

5. And every dollar invested in the highway department's budget provides

five dollars in benefits. Makes no sense, like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs, just cause you want a drumstick.

[pansypoo53219]

4. how about free BUS PASSES

instead?

[nomorewhopper]

6. anything but passing on the profits to big oil and the saudis