Obama Plans to Raise Gas Tax by $1.27/Gallon…?
March 2, 2009 by Jenn Sierra
Filed under News and Opinion
Remember the promise by Obama that no one who makes less than $250,000/year would see a tax increase?
Well…do you make less than $250K? Think you’re “safe”? Do you buy gasoline? Do you use electricity? Then you’re in for an unpleasant surprise if Obama’s new budget is passed, as-is, according to Michigan State Rep., Mike Rogers (R) (emphasis mine):
“President Obama deserves credit for seeking to reduce the federal deficit, increase unemployment benefits for hard hit states like Michigan and address the crippling costs of healthcare, three priorities of mine. Yet I fear his plan to raise taxes on small businesses in 2011 could cost even more jobs.
“One provision in the budget I cannot support is a massive $600 billion energy tax to create a ‘cap and trade’ system to trade carbon dioxide on Wall Street and devastate jobs in manufacturing states like Michigan. It is estimated this plan could raise the price of gasoline by up to $1.27 a gallon and raise electricity prices up to 68%.
“In Michigan the Governor raised taxes on employers and our unemployment went from about 6 percent to about 9 percent, and now she has raised the cost of electricity. You can’t do that in a down economy. These are job killers and bad policy for the country.
“I look forward to working with the President and with Democrats and Republicans in Congress to improve these proposals to help Michigan families get back on their feet.”
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As long as it gives the perception of punishing the rich, the serfs don’t care… oh yeah,, since oil and coal are black and used to benefit whitey, gas is racist and should be punished
Absolutely, we need the gas tax. Gasoline should be taxed to at least $6-8/gallon, and the proceeds used to improve infrastructure and especially public transit. Financial incentive is apparently the only way to make most people behave in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
This needs to be implemented, whether the voters like it or not. Obviously, democracy is failing in this regard, as citizens behave instead like consumers, considering only short term gain rather than long-term consequences. Certain initiatives simply require political will from on high, the laughable “wisdom” of public opinion be damned.
As vehemently as a disagree with you, mkii, I must say that I appreciate your honestly and straight-forwardness. I’ve become quite disgusted with much of the “green” movement’s attempt to make bankrupting the America palletable to the average American by pretending that their goals are compatible with survival of the U.S. economy.
Our government is controled by “us” the people. If we don’t want a gas tax and the government does it anyway, we can vote them out. If we can’t control what policies our government persues, then we do not live in a democracy. Period.
If your rich then the gas/energy tax will not affect you very much. But if your like me and live in Michigan barely getting by every week (we have the worst economy in the nation, thank you) then the added cost of gas/energy will push you over the edge. Finding jobs is hard enough, and making life even more difficult is just the WRONG IDEA.
Raising taxes during a recession or a depression is one of the worst possible things you can do. Roosevelt did not only this, but he promoted anti-competition policies, which modern economists feel extended the great depression that they believed would have ended in 1936 if left alone by the federal government. America only got out of the great depression by our entry and success in World War Two.
I don’t know who Obama thinks he is (oh wait, he’s the anti-christ, I remember now…) but he is certainly out of touch with basic economics and the “common man” if he wants to increase taxes during a recession.
WELL YESS WHY DONT WE LET THE COMMIES RAISE THE FUEL TAXES TO THE POINT THAT THOSE OF US THAT HAVE TO WORK FOR A LIVING AND NEED TO HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM OUR PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT CAN NO LONGER AFFORD THE FUEL TO GET THERE THE GOVERNMENT WILL SEE TO IT THAT WE HAVE ALL OUR NEEDS MET OR SO SAYS KARL MARX OBAMA CORRECT?
WOW raise taxes on gas to 8 bucks? yeah i guess it makes sense to force people to do your bidding… i guess that’s what it’s come down to with this Government in charge “do as we say and if you don’t, you will anyway becaue we’ll tax it to force you to take it”
sounds a lot like Democracy and individual freedom is dead…