When I left for work today gas was $2.54 a gallon. When I got home it was a $2.80. I realize that there is a momentary blip due to slow-downs in the gulf as a result of the latest natural disaster and all, but this is getting out of control.
While there are folks out there who will blame the oil companies, or Bush, the Chinese or environmentalists, the point is that it is getting awfully hard to make a living for those of us who work out of our vehicles. There are no trains in my future.
With all the hand wringing and "whatever shall we do" from the politicians, one would think that there is actually nothing that they can do. As usual, nothing could be further from the truth. If we really are approaching a state of emergency regarding gas prices, than government does have a role to play. That role is to do their part and help alleviate some of the pressure.
The federal government takes roughly 18 cents for every gallon that you put into your car. My state, Minnesota, takes an additional 20 cents per gallon. That is almost forty cents per gallon that could be temporarily eliminated in order to help the hard-working people of this country continue to make a living.
No one is suggesting that gax taxes should be permanently eliminated, but with all the politicians out there claiming to be for the "little guy" and the "hard working people of this country," to a person they are eerily silent when it comes to proposing the reduction of their own bottom line for the benefit of the folks they claim they would do anything for.
No doubt someone will soon propose raising taxes to create some ridiculous gas relief program for the poor but the idea of giving everyone who drives a break through these difficult times has not, and I fear will not, be raised.
How much does your state take from every gallon of gas?
Perhaps it's time for the folks to start demanding our political leaders start putting their money where their mouth is. After all, whose bottom line is more important? The state and federal government's? Or the folks who pay their bills year after year after year?
No comments:
Post a Comment