Gas Tax Holiday is No Gift to Consumers or the Planet

Politicians will say anything to get your vote. They want to save the polar bears, rescue rain forests, proliferate fair trade, and bomb the daylights out of innocent civilians to ensure national security, so we can all sleep at night (with one eye open). They guarantee higher wages, then, instead, wire tap your phone. They also want to ensure that you can keep driving your Hummer, and at an affordable price. Inflated gas prices seem a more pressing concern to legislators than global warming, the war, or the very real, apocalyptic prospects we face if the U.S. and other countries don’t act to cease emissions and save ourselves from imminent, polluting doom. If this isn’t cause for a carectomy, would a $10 per gallon price pry people from their cars?

Presidential candidates McCain and Clinton are shamelessly pandering for votes with their proposed gas tax holiday, which contradicts their promises to ease dependence on foreign oil, lower emissions, stimulate the souring economy, and create a more sustainable infrastructure. Despite nationwide greenwashing and the overwhelming popularity of allegedly eco-friendly products (most of which do little more than produce waste, assuage consumer guilt, and promote mass consumerism), Americans are standing behind the gas tax holiday because they think it will put money in their pockets. A brief holiday from the gas tax may offer temporary relief from rising gas prices, but the fiscal benefits to drivers will be minimal; $60-70, at most. Thus far, Obama has been the only candidate with the wits, sincerity, and candor to point this out.

For a short but sweet argument against the gas tax holiday, check out this article in the Salt Lake Tribune.

Photos via flickr by christhedunn.

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