Reader Posts
« previous | TPM CAFÉ READER POSTS HOME | next »
McCain's Gas Tax "Holiday" More Like a "Safety Cut"
My Senator, John McCain, continues to flounder to connect on economic issues. I think that his newest proposal for a gas tax "holiday" for the summer driving season is a good one politically - on the surface.
Federal taxes are 18.4 cents/gallon. McCain claims it will have a stimulus effect on the economy. I think that would be minor. Right now, they have been predicting gas up to $4.00/gal this summer. So, McCain's proposal would keep it at about $3.80. I would think we are going to see a continued (slight) slowing in consumer gas consumption as the price goes up.
Meanwhile, I think that Sens. Clinton and/or Obama should immediately start pointing out that it was just a year ago that the bridge collapse in MN had all of us worrying about putting MORE money into infrastructure, and that the gas tax holiday would be counterproductive in the long run.
Of course, the prospect of a "tax cut" may win more voters than the prospect of the corresponding "safety cut".
Comments (4)
Stupid bandaid garbage from economic newbie.
We need a holiday from slimy pols like McCain.
April 15, 2008 2:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
ps I think the Dems should trump him and say, grea,t let's roll back some Bush tax cuts for the rich and use that money to lower the gas tax.
Or characterize it as a handout to the oil industry -- lower gas, more driving, bigger profits.
April 15, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like these responses, too, observer2. Thanks.
April 15, 2008 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
By the by, does anyone know if Sen. McCain introduced A BILL today? Or, is he emulating Bush in that regard, too - talking about something while not making any real effort?
April 15, 2008 3:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Post a Comment