no one said they had to make sense
Our political class, that is:
This tiff over gas and oil taxes only highlights the intellectual policy confusion – or perhaps we should say cynicism – of our politicians. They want lower prices but don’t want more production to increase supply. They want oil “independence” but they’ve declared off limits most of the big sources of domestic oil that could replace foreign imports. They want Americans to use less oil to reduce greenhouse gases but they protest higher oil prices that reduce demand. They want more oil company investment but they want to confiscate the profits from that investment. And these folks want to be President?
Although I consider not listening to Robert Reich to be a virtue, Hillary — and everyone else who supports the federal gas tax moratorium/holiday/whatever they’re calling it — is wrong.
Anyway, just add them to the list of the millions in this country who don’t understand economics.
Jo on
05.05.2008 @ 10:51
Unless, of course, one is opposed to government trying to regulate consumer behavior via taxes as a matter of principle, which I am. Prices will handle consumption just fine, thanks; there is no need for our clown congress to “help.”
Besides, even though I consider large corporations like BPAmocoTexacoConocoWhateverco to be mostly infested by bureaucratic idiots* at every level above the foreman of the drilling crew, they will still likely put the money to better use than will Nancy, Harry, and Jorge.
* Welcome to late-stage capitalism.
05.05.2008 @ 18:20
Well - yeah, but the ship’s sailed on that one.
05.05.2008 @ 22:35
Wallace Hartley just won’t give it up.