Michigan Congressman proposes 50 cent gas tax increase

[Easy90]

Michigan Congressman Wants 50-Cent Tax Hike on Every Gallon of Gas

Wednesday, March 19, 2008


A Michigan congressman wants to put a 50-cent tax on every gallon of gasoline to try to cut back on Americans' consumption.

Polls show that a majority of Americans support policies that would reduce greenhouse gases. But when it comes to paying for it, it's a different story.

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., wants to help cut consumption with a gas tax but some don't agree with the idea, according to a new poll by the National Center for Public Policy Research.

The poll, scheduled to be released on Thursday, shows 48 percent don't support paying even a penny more, 28 percent would pay up to 50 cents more, 10 percent would pay more than 50 cents and 8 percent would pay more than a dollar.

"I don't want to pay more, I don't think anyone wants to," said Karen Deacon, a motorist.

"I think that wouldn't make any sense," said Frankie Hoe, a motorist. "Ugh ... who's making the money from all this and where is that money going? Is it going to go green? I don't see any green things anywhere."

The automobile is the nation's biggest polluter; Americans use more gas than the next 20 countries combined.

Some environmentalists and economists say pain at the pump may be bad for Americans, but good medicine for a sick planet.

But others say it wouldn't change much. Even if Americans abandoned their cars, global emissions would fall by less than one percent.

"A tax on gas is a way to reduce dependence on import oil, reduce traffic congrestion and reduce carbon emissions," said Lester Brown, president of the Earth Policy Institute.

The Earth Policy Institute proposes raising the gas tax 30 cents per gallon each year over a decade and offset with a reduction of income taxes, Brown said.

David Ridenour, vice president of the National Center for Public Policy Research, said the proposal wouldn't help long term.

"I think when you are talking about raising gas prices, there may be short-term reduction, put off vacations, but bottom line is over long term, that isn't going to have much of an effect," Ridenour said.

While Dingell's idea will likely lie dormant until after the 2008 election, the idea of carbon taxes is not. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain all support some type of system that either directly or indirectly will raise prices to penalize polluters.

FOX News' William La Jeunesse contributed to this report.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,339589,00.html

[Osborn F. Enready]

Democrats have an answer to everything.... more taxes.

Don't like medical costs? Pay more taxes.
Don't like the effects of burning fossil fuels? Pay more taxes.
Dissatisfied with government? Pay more taxes.
Want more safety? Pay more taxes.
Want more accountability? Pay more taxes.
Want a stronger economy? Pay more taxes.

Just work for the democrats, sign over your paycheck to them every week, and they will fix the world..... just ask them, they'll tell ya!

[4Reaganomics]

The Democratic theory is that individuals can't handle themselves. They think we need government to tell us how to use our money and how much of it to use and when to use it. It is a little ridiculous at this point. We pay over 60 cents a gallon in taxes on gasoline right now while oil companies only make 16 cents a gallon

But go off into leftist blogosphere and see what everyone is complaining about in terms of the price of Gas

ARGH These oil companies with their profits and the price of oil is going up argh

Why doesn't anyone over there complain about the tax?

Of course we need to supply oil and compete in the marketplace, but how about we get rid of the absurd taxes on Gasoline and give people the freedom to consume what they want to consumer at affordable prices?

[bishop]

the reason why oil's so much cheaper in the u.s. than, say, canada isn't because we're better - it's because the government uses taxpayer dollars to subsidize oil production/companies. a very good trick because an ignorant and intellectually lazy public would never connect those dots.

if the democrats really wanted to cut consumption, they'd stop the current BI-PARTISAN support for oil subsidies and watch producers pass on higher costs to consumers.

[4Reaganomics]

Subsidies

the best thing since sliced bread

[Easy90]

The government makes far more money from the sale of a gallon of gas than the oil companies.

[4Reaganomics]

If government didn't have so much control over your money, how would people like Jefferson (D) LA, wind up with 90 thousand dollars in their freezer under the Jello Pudding pops

[bishop]

would you favor cutting these subsidies, knowing that they'd likely result in increased gas prices?

i would - although the transition shouldn't be completely abrupt. i don't like my tax money going anywhere other than my state and my pocket.

[Osborn F. Enready]

What partisan nonsense.....

Both parties have been working to offset their governing mistakes/designed failures, on the taxpayers for the last 100+ years.

The republicans lie and bail out multi-national and national monopoly corporations, as well as help create them through legislation.

The democrats lie and bail out individuals with poor understanding of the way the world works, and pass legislation to use force of government against ALL businesses, large and small for wealth redistribution.

How can ANYONE say either party is looking out for their best intrests?!? They are BOTH selling you, your family, your home, your children down the river.... and taking turns in punching holes in the little boat you have left to try to survive that trip down the long river to 3rd world status.

[4Reaganomics]

Eh, one wastes less of my money while allowing me to keep more. If I find a third party candidate who has a chance at winning that follows more of my basic principles I'll vote for them

until then, I'll just vote against socialism.

[Elrathin]

Two things. One, I don't agree with this tax at all. Number 2, before you guys make such generalizing statements as in the title, please at least read the article and give an HONEST title.

The article does not state the Dems propose a 50 cent gas tax increase, that article says that A Michigan congressman wants to put a 50-cent tax on every gallon of gasoline to try to cut back on Americans' consumption.

One Dem that proposes this does not mean the majority too. The title is intellectually dishonest to say the least.

[bishop]

Eh, one wastes less of my money while allowing me to keep more. If I find a third party candidate who has a chance at winning that follows more of my basic principles I'll vote for them

until then, I'll just vote against socialism.


keep more? oh, you mean extending your line of credit? ;) i guess that's better than someone taxing your extended line of credit..

can't remember the a president from that party presided over balanced budgets...

[4Reaganomics]

I like balanced budgets too. We increased tax revenue by cutting taxes thanks to GWB. The problem is that we are spending too much, not collecting too little.

I have already said that I am not in favor of deficits and that I would cut the federal buget from 2.9 trillion to 900 billion dollars. That would pay off the debt quickly and allow people to keep more of their hard earned money every year.

[Osborn F. Enready]

4Reganomics said:
Eh, one wastes less of my money while allowing me to keep more.

False. One takes it through direct tax increases, the other through indirect tax increases. They are both lying.

4Reganomics said:
If I find a third party candidate who has a chance at winning that follows more of my basic principles I'll vote for them

Screw individual principles, what about the RIGHT to have INDIVIDUAL PRINCIPLES?

The Republican Party is the RIGHT BOOT (fascist) to the Democrat Parties LEFT BOOT (socialist).

The Republican party is doing more damage to individual rights than democrats have in some time, and while the Republican party does that, we have the democrat party working to move economics to socialism.

THEY BOTH HAVE THE SAME GOAL! How CAN'T people see this?

4Reganomics said:
until then, I'll just vote against socialism.

Not if you are voting for either major party you aren't, you're just voting between fascists and socialists, as if there was a difference worth noting.

[4Reaganomics]

I don't see it as fascism Osborn, and I think that the republican party represents a form of government that is much more capitalist than the Democrats form of government.

While I would change things economically if I could, and Ron Paul addressed some of my concerns very well, I still see the Republican party as being closer to my views than the Democratic party and that is enough for me to be able to make a decision between McCain and Obama in the voting booth.

[potter]

Michigan Congressman Wants 50-Cent Tax Hike on Every Gallon of Gas

Wednesday, March 19, 2008


A Michigan congressman wants to put a 50-cent tax on every gallon of gasoline to try to cut back on Americans' consumption.

Polls show that a majority of Americans support policies that would reduce greenhouse gases. But when it comes to paying for it, it's a different story.

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., wants to help cut consumption with a gas tax but some don't agree with the idea, according to a new poll by the National Center for Public Policy Research.

The poll, scheduled to be released on Thursday, shows 48 percent don't support paying even a penny more, 28 percent would pay up to 50 cents more, 10 percent would pay more than 50 cents and 8 percent would pay more than a dollar.

"I don't want to pay more, I don't think anyone wants to," said Karen Deacon, a motorist.

"I think that wouldn't make any sense," said Frankie Hoe, a motorist. "Ugh ... who's making the money from all this and where is that money going? Is it going to go green? I don't see any green things anywhere."

The automobile is the nation's biggest polluter; Americans use more gas than the next 20 countries combined.

Some environmentalists and economists say pain at the pump may be bad for Americans, but good medicine for a sick planet.

But others say it wouldn't change much. Even if Americans abandoned their cars, global emissions would fall by less than one percent.

"A tax on gas is a way to reduce dependence on import oil, reduce traffic congrestion and reduce carbon emissions," said Lester Brown, president of the Earth Policy Institute.

The Earth Policy Institute proposes raising the gas tax 30 cents per gallon each year over a decade and offset with a reduction of income taxes, Brown said.

David Ridenour, vice president of the National Center for Public Policy Research, said the proposal wouldn't help long term.

"I think when you are talking about raising gas prices, there may be short-term reduction, put off vacations, but bottom line is over long term, that isn't going to have much of an effect," Ridenour said.

While Dingell's idea will likely lie dormant until after the 2008 election, the idea of carbon taxes is not. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain all support some type of system that either directly or indirectly will raise prices to penalize polluters.

FOX News' William La Jeunesse contributed to this report.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,339589,00.html


So one democrat puts this forth and all of a sudden it's all the evil democrats clamoring for a 50cent tax hike on gas?

One republican turns out to be a closet gay pediophile so I must assume all republicans are closet gay pediophiles. Whats it like in the closet there? Surfed any good child porn lately?

[Osborn F. Enready]

Potter said:
So one democrat puts this forth and all of a sudden it's all the evil democrats clamoring for a 50cent tax hike on gas?

No, democrats have been putting forth tax increases since the birth of the democratic party.

WHAT DO YOU CALL UHC?!?

The funniest thing.... if these morons do end up passing UHC, people will be "shocked and suprised" to find out they will be taxing healthcare, much like they do gasoline, to the detriment of everyone.... except the "party agenda" of course..... :dizzy:


The whole party is founded on direct tax increases.

[Osborn F. Enready]

4Reganomics said:
I don't see it as fascism Osborn, and I think that the republican party represents a form of government that is much more capitalist than the Democrats form of government.

That is like splitting the world thinnest hair, and about as beneficial, also. :unreal:

[4Reaganomics]

Ask McGreevy's driver about gay relations in the Democratic party as well.

Not all democrats support this particular tax. However, this is just a new chapter in an old book of tax the American people and irresponsibly spend their money.

[Osborn F. Enready]

4Reganomics said:
However, this is just a new chapter in an old book of tax the American people and irresponsibly spend their money.


One practice that the Republican Party has done well with also....
-non necessary wars
-deficit spending
-illogical investment in national security, while ignoring that we have OPEN BORDERS.
-etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc,......

[potter]

Potter said:
So one democrat puts this forth and all of a sudden it's all the evil democrats clamoring for a 50cent tax hike on gas?

No, democrats have been putting forth tax increases since the birth of the democratic party.

WHAT DO YOU CALL UHC?!?

The funniest thing.... if these morons do end up passing UHC, people will be "shocked and suprised" to find out they will be taxing healthcare, much like they do gasoline, to the detriment of everyone.... except the "party agenda" of course..... :dizzy:


The whole party is founded on direct tax increases.



Whats the difference between tax increases to pay as you go and "charging it" to your children? Other than the latter is pretty cowardly.

And why is throwing tax dollars around the word by the republicans OK but spending tax dollars on our own people not OK?

What it really boils down to is republican can spend like drinken sailors and nobody cares, but if democrats spend, they are evil.

Anything to keep america divided eh?

[Osborn F. Enready]

Potter said:
Whats the difference between tax increases to pay as you go and "charging it" to your children?

How about the government not HAVING A RIGHT TO TAX FOR THE BULK OF WHAT THEY TAX FOR? That equates to THEFT.

Potter said:
Other than the latter is pretty cowardly.

Both are pretty cowardly, once you notice how they go about putting forth and passing such criminal legislation.

Potter said:
And why is throwing tax dollars around the word by the republicans OK but spending tax dollars on our own people not OK?

Who said EITHER was OK?!?

Surely not I sir.

[potter]

Potter said:
Whats the difference between tax increases to pay as you go and "charging it" to your children?

How about the government not HAVING A RIGHT TO TAX FOR THE BULK OF WHAT THEY TAX FOR? That equates to THEFT.

Potter said:
Other than the latter is pretty cowardly.

Both are pretty cowardly, once you notice how they go about putting forth and passing such criminal legislation.

Potter said:
And why is throwing tax dollars around the word by the republicans OK but spending tax dollars on our own people not OK?

Who said EITHER was OK?!?

Surely not I sir.



My apologies...I mistook you for a Republican.....50 lashes for me.....

Go Ron Paul eh?

[brien]

Americans now pay over 60 cents per gallon tax on every gallon of gasoline. The government should be considering suspending these taxes, not increasing them. And the Democrats have the temerity to call themselves the party of the middle class???

This proposal, once again, illustrates how the Democrats are insensitive to the plight of the average working man and woman. Suspend all fuel taxes now.

[potter]

Americans now pay over 60 cents per gallon tax on every gallon of gasoline. The government should be considering suspending these taxes, not increasing them. And the Democrats have the temerity to call themselves the party of the middle class???

This proposal, once again, illustrates how the Democrats are insensitive to the plight of the average working man and woman. Suspend all fuel taxes now.


The government, a combined effort of both parties, has to feeds its obscene bloated self somehow right?

Are you under some illusion the government represents you?

No sir, you only pay for it and do as they tell you to do.

:ponder:

[brien]

Are you under some illusion the government represents you?


No. I say the government should suspend all fuel taxes immediately. I don't care how many lawmakers it takes so long as it happens asap.

[bishop]

I like balanced budgets too. We increased tax revenue by cutting taxes thanks to GWB. The problem is that we are spending too much, not collecting too little.

well, you apparently like political parties who don't favor balanced budgets.. go figure.

as for the taxes/revenue line, repeating the same b.s. does not make it fact.. i believe you said you're studying to be an economist, correct? economists tend to quantify such things such as assertions that bush's tax cuts grew gdp. if you don't quantify (i.e. prove) your statement, it's nothing more than hollow opinion in my eyes. to date, no economist has been able to prove that the laffer curve is anything more than a supply side theory.


i also still see that there's a lot of focus here on whether/not to increase taxes - rather than cutting subsidies.. i guess americans don't have issues with their tax dollars being doled out in the billions to corporations to artificially keep the cost of gas low.. nobody wants to touch that one, eh?

[potter]

Are you under some illusion the government represents you?


No. I say the government should suspend all fuel taxes immediately. I don't care how many lawmakers it takes so long as it happens asap.



I'm of the same opnion, however I'll carry that to all taxes period. You want a war, YOU pay for it. You want a government service, YOU pay for it.

[Easy90]

It's a common debate technique. Show an example of leftists raising taxes...and the argument is changed to...well...what's worse? Raising taxes or going in debt? It's the "red herring" fallacy.. Aside from introducing a totally false element, It assumes the only alternative to raising gas taxes yet again, is to keep our children from paying...Yet, the article made it clear that the "reason" the Democrat wants to raise gas taxes is to discourage consumption. Funnier still is how they attempt to say it's not predominately Democrats who constantly seek to raise taxes.

[potter]

i also still see that there's a lot of focus here on whether/not to increase taxes - rather than cutting subsidies.. i guess americans don't have issues with their tax dollars being doled out in the billions to corporations to artificially keep the cost of gas low.. nobody wants to touch that one, eh?



Or food etc...etc.....

[potter]

It's a common debate technique. Show an example of leftists raising taxes...and the argument is changed to...well...what's worse? Raising taxes or going in debt? It's the "red herring" fallacy.. Aside from introducing a totally false element, It assumes the only alternative to raising gas taxes yet again, is to keep our children from paying...Yet, the article made it clear that the "reason" the Democrat wants to raise gas taxes is to discourage consumption. Funnier still is how they attempt to say it's not predominately Democrats who constantly seek to raise taxes.



I still maintain it is one congressman doing this yet you throw this at the entire party.

So...again, surfed any good child porn lately?

[AlanC]

I changed the title of this post to more accurately reflect the information it is based on.

Clearly, not all Democrats have proposed this increase.

[4Reaganomics]

Appeal to ignorance is using a lack of evidence for evidence, try not to attempt to from all of your arguments around this.

I am just as much for cutting subsidies as I am for cutting taxes and spending.

Now, I might not completely agree with the Laffer curve, but what I can say is that these tax cuts expanded economic growth and the tax base, that is without question. Whether they can wholly pay for themselves is not proven, that is correct. I didn't mean to come off as stating that tax cuts paying for themselves is a fact, its actually logically possible, but hasn't been proven in any instance.

[bishop]

Appeal to ignorance is using a lack of evidence for evidence, try not to attempt to from all of your arguments around this.

nope.. inability to quantify represents nothing more than baseless, faith-based economics.

the problem with the laffer curve, and research you could readily find on jstore will show this, is that there is no definition of the timeframe one should use. looking at the longest stretch of time, receipts almost continuously increase - in times of high and low taxation..

http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/GRECPT?cid=107

Now, I might not completely agree with the Laffer curve, but what I can say is that these tax cuts expanded economic growth and the tax base, that is without question. Whether they can wholly pay for themselves is not proven, that is correct. I didn't mean to come off as stating that tax cuts paying for themselves is a fact, its actually logically possible, but hasn't been proven in any instance.

if it's without question, then you definitely should be able to quantify it..

during the same time of bush's "tax cuts", we've also been paying a lot more for energy, water, food, education, healthcare, etc.. this is also why it is true that the benefits of the tax cuts have been almost wholly realized by the upper crust - they are the only people who can actually claim to have "more of my own money in my pocket".. the middle class and below are seeing the vast majority of these debt-financed benefits eaten up by rampant inflation.

[lily]

Michigan Congressman Wants 50-Cent Tax Hike on Every Gallon of Gas

Wednesday, March 19, 2008


A Michigan congressman wants to put a 50-cent tax on every gallon of gasoline to try to cut back on Americans' consumption.

First off, Dingle is a publicity whore.....anything to get his name in the papers. Next I wish him luck with this. Michigan is #1 in un-employment. One of the main places people are driving to is the un-employment office. We have the Great Lakes and I've noticed in the last couple of years, that there aren't too many boats out......so I guess we're already conserving, like it or not. All we have left is tourism and if he tries to kill that his seat will be lost.

[brien]

that there aren't too many boats out......

Living on the LI Sound, and being the owner of a 31 foot Crusier with twin 5.1 gas engines that burn about 12 -15 gallons per hour, I don't expect to see as many boats out from the dock this year. We certainly won't be going as far this season. :grrrr:

[potter]

Michigan Congressman Wants 50-Cent Tax Hike on Every Gallon of Gas

Wednesday, March 19, 2008


A Michigan congressman wants to put a 50-cent tax on every gallon of gasoline to try to cut back on Americans' consumption.

First off, Dingle is a publicity whore.....anything to get his name in the papers. Next I wish him luck with this. Michigan is #1 in un-employment. One of the main places people are driving to is the un-employment office. We have the Great Lakes and I've noticed in the last couple of years, that there aren't too many boats out......so I guess we're already conserving, like it or not. All we have left is tourism and if he tries to kill that his seat will be lost.


Tourism? You have a tourism industry? What? To see 8mile road or something? :madlaugh:

[AlanC]

Nope, the Ford Museum in Dearborn...:thumbsup:

[potter]

Nope, the Ford Museum in Dearborn...:thumbsup:


As in Gerald Ford?

Surely you can't mean Ford cars...do they still make them?

[AlanC]

Yep Ford cars. They still make them, pretty much. And it is one fine museum. If you're there, its well worth a visit.

[apdst]

A Michigan congressman wants to put a 50-cent tax on every gallon of gasoline to try to cut back on Americans' consumption.

Two words: Brain Dead.

[Keith Hamburger]

that there aren't too many boats out......

Living on the LI Sound, and being the owner of a 31 foot Crusier with twin 5.1 gas engines that burn about 12 -15 gallons per hour, I don't expect to see as many boats out from the dock this year. We certainly won't be going as far this season. :grrrr:


I have a 25 foot sailboat. I expect to spend plenty of time on the water. And a lot less crowds. :clapper: I'm thinking about buying a 34' catamaran.

Keith

[lily]

Tourism? You have a tourism industry? What? To see 8mile road or something? :madlaugh:


Sheeet.......don't knock it if you haven't seen it. That trailor park where he grew up in the movie......they had to come down my way to 9 Mile to film it.:lmao:


........but anyway......tourism........yeah we got some........up North by the Great Lakes........but down here......we got 8 Mile.:lmao:

AlanC Wrote:
Nope, the Ford Museum in Dearborn...

Hey.....don't forget that new Wal-Mart we've been talking about......that's in Dearborn too!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now come on you guys.......come and visit.....we need your money!

[Elrathin]

Hey.....don't forget that new Wal-Mart we've been talking about......that's in Dearborn too!


Don't you DARE steal the thunder Lily, the new Walmart just opened up in Fernley, NV where I live at the beginning of this month hehehe.

[Osborn F. Enready]

Michigan has a lot to see, and a lot to offer to tourists, and I say that without reservation as an Ohioan. Anybody who thinks Michigan is like "8-mile" in entireity is fooling themselves.... visit the Upper Penninsula, or one of the many wildlife and wilderness areas. Like to Ski? Michigan can provide that. Like nature? Michigan has it. Like watersports? Michigan has a lot of waterfront. Like Racing and Autosports? Michigan is the capitol of the nation regarding automotive sports and aftermarket modifications, from full-on race cars, to hobby and specialty cars.

My only problem with Michigan, is much like my problems with my home state, Ohio.
THE GOVERNMENTS SUCK, THE TAXES ARE OUTRAGEOUS, AND THE BULK OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE ARE POLITICALLY IGNORANT (which I would say is due to the large amount of religious people who vote based on subjective moral views).

You want to be harassed by police, overcharged for everything from gasoline to property taxes and cigarettes ("sin" taxes), and enjoy driving on roads that are barely maintained or upkept, Michigan or Ohio might be your place. ;)

As for me, Montana or New Hampshire are looking better all the time.