The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:14:39 GMT

oh yeah, one more detail - how we'd pay for it.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

colene, new york, new york — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:16:25 GMT

Look who's 'out of touch' now.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Kevin, Austin, TX — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:17:51 GMT

And we've spent four days discussing how Obama is "out of touch"? This is a ridiculous idea that is more pandering than Obama's comments (come on, we all know he was simply pandering to far left liberals in SF when he goofed up.) I'll save about $40 this summer. Thanks John. You can keep my money and keep people working.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

God Damn America, RustBelt — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:18:13 GMT

How are we going to pay for Universal Health Care?

The recent 2008 Tax Rebate?

The Iraq War?

And this gas rebate?
and so on...

This country is so broke!!!

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:18:16 GMT

Damn economic complexities get in the way of my grassroots pandering!
Doh!

John McWhoeverIhaveToBeToGetElected

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Cren Crendell — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:19:23 GMT

So here's an idea, why not cut government spending in other areas to support the infrastructure build out? It really shouldn't be that hard to do.

And of course the Democrats answer is to find new energy sources. I guess we could all put windmills on top of our cars.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:21:57 GMT

Yeah, but it sounds so good to give away stuff in an election year.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

jesse St.Paul Minnesota — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:23:02 GMT

John Mcbomb...This guy is really out of touch,I think sometimes his advisors are in the same boat.This has no chance of passing.Are they planning to not tax jet fuel,That way all the special entrest groups that fly you around can aslo save a buck.Not that the eliest group that you fly with need it.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

James, Wichita, KS — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:23:19 GMT

Where do we make up for the money we loss in taxes?

It is not the tax that is the problem, it is the reliance on oil.

The wind is blowing at a constant 25 mile per hour outside my window here in Kansas today... how about putting some more wind turbines up? The wind is free and I guarantee you it will not stop blowing here in Kansas any time soon!

http://laststopmidwest.blogspot.com

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Patrick, Houston, TX — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:23:22 GMT

I'm nominally for McCain and this idea is dumb, Dumb, DUMB. The cause for the underlying rise in price is increased demand for petroleum goods worldwide. By lowering the price, we'd be putting in place a scheme that would encourage more usage, raise demand AND cost tax revenue that should be earmarked for refurbishing our transportation infrastructure. If he wanted to be bold and really do something, he should propose that we increase federal gasoline taxes to tamp down demand and drive folks to public transit options.

But hey, it's campaign season and the modus operandi is to play the ice cream and pony rides for everybody card in a LAME attempt to bribe me for my vote.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

JohnnyU, WA State — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:23:48 GMT

John McCain, a "borrow & spend" regressive.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

TT — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:23:56 GMT

McWar clearly shows that he knows nothing about the economy. His proposed economic policies will be more disastrous than the present administration. We are in an all time high deficit and teetering on the brink of recession. We don't have the margin for error at this time.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Benjamin — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:25:50 GMT

Another detail. Suspending the gas tax encourages people to drive more. Hardly a good idea for pollution and global warming to encourage people to drive more, especially in the summer.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

lupercal — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:26:03 GMT

apparently, he's not only out of touch with regular american, but he's actually quite estranged from the policies he's supposed to be good at. apparently, he thinks that like iraq, he lives in a vacuum and his actions have no consequences.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

jim — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:26:16 GMT

if you believe in the laws of supply and demand and efficient markets,this would be a direct transfer from the us treasury to exxon mobil..there would be inreased demand which would cause upward pressure on prices the 18 cents would almost immediately get built back into the price of gasoline.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Goose stepping to glorious victory — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:26:51 GMT

"And of course the Democrats answer is to find new energy sources."

Just nuts, isn't it? When we can invade a country and steal their resources? Democrats is sooooo dum!

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Ron, TX — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:27:10 GMT

18 cents per gallon? Let's say I drive an SUV that takes 30 gallons... I'm only going to save $5 on a $99+ tank of gas. I actually drive a car with a 10 gallon tank. I'm only saving $1.50 per tank. I'm sorry, but that's not going to cut it. Rediculous, cartoon-themed band-aid solutions aren't going to help your average American. Bring down the PRICE of gas, sure, but a temporary lifting of an 18-cent tax? Absurd.

I can see it now, "18 cent tax lifted! Economy saved!"

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Greg R., Spokane, WA — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:27:47 GMT

O.K. I guess getting a couple more years behind in infrastucture maintenance and repair would be alright if it got the "bitter's" out to vote for Elliot McNess from the Out-of-Touchables.

Just be sure to drive AROUND the bridges. It might cost more in fuel, but you'll live. Unless those terrorist that the Bubba's and Thumper's were afraid of last election planted a roadside bomb.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

jerry/corpus christi texas — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:27:52 GMT

$686,000 by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) for the Cambridge-Isanti
Bike/Walk Trail. After Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) unsuccessfully
attempted in September, 2007 to pass a moratorium on earmarks in
the wake of the 35Wbridge collapse in Minneapolis, Chairman
Oberstar defended the Isanti Trail, saying “Eliminating important
projects that promote tourism and recreational travel will not make
up for years of underinvestment in our nation's infrastructure, it
will just slow down other segments of the economy.” Of the
$76,841,800 in pork Minnesota received in the fiscal 2008 THUD
bill, $57,085,000, or 74.3 percent, was added by Chairman Oberstar.

Why don't we ask Chairman Oberstar how he can talk about raising gasoline taxes to pay for bridge infrastructure one minute and the next pay for the earmark listed above.

Things sure have quieted down since the bridge collapse that was supposed to be paid with the gasoline taxes that people pay for bridge and road repair.

Maybe if congress gave back all their earmarks we can pay for it.

Talk about a bunch of people that are out of otuch with America!

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Alan, NJ — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:28:04 GMT

Dumb idea. Now all 3 candidates are pandering big time. Sad to say spending cannot be increased unless we want to increase a massive deficit. Madicare and SS will be bust by 2020 as general revenues cannot pay for them, and getting out of Iraq saves nothingas that money is borrowed anyway. What a mess (brought to you by an MBA from Yale).

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Anne, Baltimore — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:28:43 GMT

Yes - we can already see the long arm of the oil lobbyists and Milton Freidman cronies reaching McCain. Instead of lowering gas prices (can we say "windfall profits), let's repeal a tax that benefits an enormous social service. Alright, pure capitalists, please enlighten me on how we can fix the infastructure without a tax. And please, do not mention awarding a private firm a government contract that grossly overstates the value of their services (Haliburton part II?)

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Arch Stanton — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:29:08 GMT

I hope nobody asks how we are going to pay for a proposed gas tax moratorium, while supporting a candidate who has promised to spend 10,000 times as much on universal health care.

But I'm not holding my breath.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Kris Florida — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:29:42 GMT

This is as stupid and shortsighted as Bush's rebate plan. And in true GOP fashion, blatantly condescending: If we throw a couple nickles and dimes at the masses, they will stay quiet and dumb.

I'm tired of these clowns.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

J. Richter — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:30:19 GMT

This competition to unveil policy:
- Policy upon policy from Clinton and now McCain.
They never mention that 90% of them have no chance of seeing the light of day. Then they return in 4 years to ask for reelection or start to make their millions leaving us with higher gas costs and a weak economy.

Presidents dont make laws. Congress does. Its better the one that emphasizes how he will work with others to realize the ideas or involve us in the decision process by airing the hearings (see what happened to Hillary and Bill's 1998 health plan, Iraq authorization, NAFTA, drug bill, tax for the rich, and other imperfect policies that would have been exposed if we had our say or asked tough questions). Instead of the case where the big guys and lobbies are the only ones involved outside of the lawmakers.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

kenn — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:31:59 GMT

The demorats have gone along with the OIL companies dont act so high and mighty there my DEMORAT friend,last I checked the dems are just as helpless when it comes to protecting the consumer.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

WCW, Roswell, GA — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:32:00 GMT

That's a good one John! What I save on gas... I can use on new tires after the roads fall apart or maybe increase my insurance coverage to cover that bridge collapse - with me on it!

I think the Staight Talk Express may have encounter some potholes and falling rocks ahead!

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Connie, Chicago — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:32:24 GMT

Damn.... McCain...How about getting some tax money from the OIL COMPANIES?!?
Instead of giving them tax breaks..INCREASE THEIRS!..
Heck they pass it along to us anyway..However, with profit margins the likes we have been seeing..I do believe these corporations can afford to pay more taxes then us average Jane and Joe Americans..
Nice pandering there John..You really are out of touch..Could it be because you're worth over 100 million?

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Sheila, St. Louis, MO — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:33:16 GMT

I'm not an economist and I don't play one on tv, but this seems like a stupid idea. First of all will it do any real good? The problem is bigger than a tax holiday. The global demand for oil continues to rise and we have to find real solutions to the problem and be prepared to pay $6 or more a gallon. So I guess we're supposed to take our rebate and use the tax holiday and party, for a week or so. We'll still be in a recession once the check is cashed. Dumb idea indeed.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Republicans = Old Fogeys who can't think — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:33:32 GMT

Weird... a Republican not realizing what the term 'issue linkage' means....that is why Republicans are out of touch because they believe each issue is seperate unto themselves when in actuality, if you really think, (which Republicans rarely do) you can connect the dots and realize one thing can have detrimental effects on a whole smattering of other things.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Kevin, Austin, TX — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:33:52 GMT

If Hillary Clinton is a true Democrat, she will hammer McCain about this absurd economic idea harder than she's hit Obama over his dumb "bitter" comments.

I know she won't though, because I know for her it's all about how she'll win... not us.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Laura, Savannah, GA — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:33:59 GMT

"Many economists have also questioned the wisdom of suspending or cutting gas taxes; doing so, they say, simply stimulates more consumption of gasoline."

I am so sick of hearing how gas is evil, we must stop gas consumption. I live in a town where the public transportation system is minimal. If I want to work, I have to drive. Period, end of story.

People all over the U.S. in small towns and even medium sized cities have to do this. These are who the gas tax would help. N

Not to mention food prices go up when corn is used for ethanol (instead of feed for animals/people) and when transport to your local grocery store is more expensive. At least McCain is working at one end of the food inflation problem. Although I'm not totally sure it's the best plan at least it's something.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

*&^% in a handbasket — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:34:07 GMT

okay . . . so the Rebublicans have completely screwed up the financial system over the last 8 years . . . and McCain is an idiot who admittedly knows nothing about the economy . . . but he is now cooking up lame-brained proposals???

and the worst part is that the Clintons are going to ensure that this moron gets the white house in November!!!

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

M.Pultey — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:34:21 GMT

I am bitter all right. Only a moron would not be if they lost heir job, have to pay nearly $4 for gas, is one or two payments from losing their home, while a good part of their tax is sent to fight a war whose motive has been fully discredited. Maybe I dont like to be told, but I am bitter allright. But I'd rather take that than the old politicians that come here, make the same promises, leave, take office and return in 4 years or retire and make millions and then remind us how they are like us. The comment does not suggest every religious person or hunter is - but that some who have lost their jobs that vote on this issue are. Are people able to read or they also like being told what to be angry about? All these understanding old politicians, if they were that good to us will we be where we are now?

And now this .18 back out of $3.74 of something I bought at $1.85 in 2000 before Bush.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

jerry/corpus christi texas — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:34:28 GMT

I sure wuld like to know how to lower gas prices when it is all about supply and demand.....

You liberals just expect everything to be free......

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

WCW, Roswell, GA — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:35:10 GMT

How about we tax Big Oil's profits since gas went over $2/gal and build some new refineries... the last one built was in 1986!

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

adam/Brooklyn New York City — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:36:08 GMT

Not to mention, cutting the gas tax will encourage gas consumption which will further our addiction to mid-east oil which will further embroil us in oil wars.

Not to mention what further gas consumption means to the environment.

It's pretty clear that McCain has no vision here.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Daniel, NY — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:36:10 GMT

This man is clearly out of his depth when it comes to the issues. I can't wait until we can turn our attention to this guy full time. Talk about "out of touch".

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Brian M. De — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:36:46 GMT

Is it me or have John McBush And Sillary Clinton joined the same team. They both are starting to sound and look the same.That will do and say anything to get elected. Let's talk about flip flops of McBush.I am against torture but maybe water boarding isn't so bad. We should not help homeowners in the Repo crisis just days later maybe we should. He has flipped on others the only thing that he does seem steadfast in is the fact that he wants to Bomb Bomb Bomb Bombbomb Iran. McBush said he would be willing to commit to being in Iraq for 100years why would he care he wont be around to see that.Sillary is a closet Republican enuff said .

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Bruce, Leesburg, VA — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:37:55 GMT

Speaking to the Chicago Tribune last December, John McCain confessed: "The issue of economics is something that I've really never understood as well as I should."

This proposal shows that at least the Senator has a talent for self examination. Unfortunately, that talent won't help us through the current economic crisis.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

SK, Buffalo, NY — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:40:42 GMT

I just came back from a car trip from Western NY through Pennsylvania into New Jersey. Gas in NJ is 40 cents a gallon cheaper than Western NY. The difference appears to be in the sales tax or lack thereof. Since the sales tax is not linked to the gallon but linked to the price of a gallon, the states with a sales tax are getting a huge benefit. If the taxes linked to the gallon are lowered, total revenue is decreased. Funny, I haven't heard any suggestions about cutting the sales tax on my gasoline.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

jerry/corpus christi texas — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:40:49 GMT

I have to rmind you folks aout what Hillary Clinton said in June 2006....

"If you want lower gas prices, vote for a democrat"

gas prices have gone up 82% since she made that statement.....

I thought the democrats were in control of congress...
Guess that as a mistake as well....

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Bruce St. Helens, OR — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:41:56 GMT

How about adding to the coffers for infrastructure by imposing an excess profits tax on the oil companies - a measly 10% tax on Exxon's after tax profit for 2006, for example, would be a nice tidy $4 billion!

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Pete - Albany, NY — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:43:20 GMT

Drop the $0.18 gas tax and we're still above $3.00 a gallon. How's this supposed to make us feel better?

As if this was the reason why gasoline costs so much right now?

McSame...turns out he really *DOESN'T* know that much about the economy!

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Joe Einloth — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:45:54 GMT

"You liberals just expect everything to be free......"

Not any more so, Jerry, than we expect you to make sense!

And, Arch Stanton? Don't get sick, buddy! And forgodsakes, watch what bridges you drive over!

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Terry, Great Plains — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:49:07 GMT

Nice move McCain rob Peter to pay Paul Oh and we can just offset the loss of repairing our infrastrucuture with General fund transfers. It's still moving not creating revenue. Instead why do you not request that part of the tax be set aside for alternative fuel resarch or why not with your great knowledge and influence with the Iraqi's have them pick up reconstruction costs in Iraq utilizng their billions in oil surplus reserves. We utilize the diffence to fund your flawed plan. This is your solution. Hoover was more proactive.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

E. B. Kingman, Az. — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:49:47 GMT

McCain continues to beat a dead horse trying to portray himself as fiscally responsible when he and republican commrads helped Bush run up the largest national debt and trade deficit in the history of the world while driving the American economy into the ground. "Who is out of touch?"

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

WCW, Roswell, GA — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:51:32 GMT

... It's OK folks

... the McNut's spokesman, Mr. Rogers(no, not THAT Mr. Rogers) says that we can transfer $$ from the General Revenue fund...

Does that mean he proposes we cut into General Revenue funds to the Troops in Iraq???

THAT may cut his 100 year timetable if nothing else!!

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:51:44 GMT

I just don't want to be driving across any bridge after that stupid idea is in effect. What a moron - and apparantly his advisors are just as moronic to come up with a half-assed idea like that. What a McSHAME!

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

one and one and one make three ... come together right now — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:52:21 GMT

Economics was not his forte ... well ... here is a fact ... when the price for something goes down ... demand for it goes up because it is cheaper and people want to get it before the price goes up again ... and ... as demand goes up, suppy goes down because more people are buying more ... and ... as supply goes down THE PRICE GOES UP! ... because now many people want it so the FREE market says ... hey I can charge you more cause you want it ...
And ... soon ... we are back where we started ... market parity ... the free market fixing itself ...

Except for one thing ... the drop in price was artificial because we took out the tax ... so the whole process was started on an articificial basis and in the end the price comes to the same amount WITHOUT THE TAX ... so now ... oops ... that tax relief was temporary ... YIKES ... suddenly the price is WAY MORE THAN WHEN WE STARTED!

People ... think ...

1 + 1 = 2

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Everyone, Everywhere — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:53:38 GMT

"I thought the democrats were in control of congress...
Guess that as a mistake as well.... "

But don't stop trying to think, jerry. It'll pan out for you - sooner or later.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

BL, Cincinnati OH — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:55:49 GMT

I sure wuld like to know how to lower gas prices when it is all about supply and demand.....

You liberals just expect everything to be free......
jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, April 15, 2008 12:34 PM)

How? How about giving major tax incentives to the auto industry to build Hydrogen based cars? http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Uniquely/FutureTechnologies/Hydrogen.aspx

This would help rebuild areas like Michigan, put lots of people to work, and reduce our reliance on foreign oil. It would add jobs to the auto industry as well as the hydrogen industry. To get people to switch over offer a tax write off based on the cost of the car. Not only would it reduce our need for foreign oil, but it would allow us to run on a fuel source that is completely renewable and has zero emissions.

Hydrogen can be created in many ways, the best being from high temperature electrolysis using electric from a nuclear power plant. During the day the plant will put out most of its power as electric when demand is high, then at night when power demands are low that power is diverted to produce hydrogen.

You can make hydrogen from all kinds of methods if we really put the effort into it. Wind, solar, nuclear, biological (algae), etc. All you need is water and electric to generate hydrogen (and oxygen which can be sold to medical and industrial companies). It wouldn't be that far fetched to have solar or wind units that individuals could own that would create their own hydrogen.

It's not an instant fix, but it will be a fix for the long term.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:57:26 GMT

So we'll pay for the tax cut out of our left pocket for the savings in our right pocket? Somebody put this guy into a rest home lock-in unit.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

gv, Kailua, HI — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:03:28 GMT

Windmills on cars - what a great idea! Someone should get on this - a self-generating renewable energy source for your car!

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

GObama, Corpus Christi, TX — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:04:41 GMT

This just reinforces the Age Issue. An 18.5 cent drop might have been helpful when prices were climbing over a buck for the first time, but in my neighborhood, it wouldn't even get me back under $3! Typical conservative, the first suggestion is always to cut a tax, even when bridges are falling in the river.

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

Chris, Austin, TX — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:05:11 GMT

Good plan. By all means we must find a way to make sure that the oil industry gets every thing they can... especially if we can find a way that will further screw the American people. Either we lose the funding for our roads or we have to pay for it another way. Errr. Wrong, John. Thanks for playing

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

BIGOLDTEXAN — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:12:33 GMT

McSame needs to go back to economic 101.....
This guy dosen`t know what he is talking about.

Someone wrote this for him and now he is trying to sound like he knows whats going on.
He do not have a clue.

Same old Bush policies
just another dressing = McSame/McInsane/McCain.

Go Obama '08

The downside to suspending the gas tax?

BIGOLDTEXAN — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:12:47 GMT