Don Young commits political suicide

Another Congress seat becomes viable for the Democrats

Young suggests gas tax hike

by Steve Mac Donald
Wednesday, May 7, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Alaska Congressman Don Young wants American motorists to change their driving habits in these times of sky-rocketing gasoline prices.

Young proposed an increase in the national gas tax Tuesday in order to persuade drivers to slow down their carbon consumption.

The suggestion was made during a House committee hearing, in which Young proposed raising the tax from its present level of 18 cents a gallon up to a dollar.

At least one of Young's opponents in the Alaska Republican primary is against the idea but the incumbent congressman says a higher tax will promote conservation.

"We have to start doing something with some results and I will promote a tax so the general public will slow down, will change their driving habits, will have a different vehicle and we will save fuel," Young said.

Sean Parnell, a Republican candidate for Young's seat, disagreed with the congressman's proposal.

"I can't believe it having traveled the state, listening to people who are trying to -- people who are trying to make it," Parnell said. "Alaskans are cashed-strapped and those fuel costs across the state are high. To saddle us with more, ever more taxes on gasoline just doesn't make any sense."

Another of Young's proposals was defeated Wednesday in the House Natural Resources Committee. The Republican lawmaker proposed an amendment to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.

The 18-12 vote was split along party lines.

http://www.ktuu.com/global/story.asp?s=8287699&ClientType=Printable

Beware, folks- stockula's bored tonight!

Whocy?

Well, it would encourage us to use alternative fuel sources & consume less (our oil-based economy would crumble, but that may not be such a bad thing). I keep thinking about Europe with their unsubsidized fuel costs, petrol is high but they drive more efficient vehicles. They've also invested much more heavily in renewable fuels and alternative energy, they seem to be doing fine with their economy, so what's up America? We're on a collision course with peak oil, it'll likely happen within most our lives, so why not adapt and be prepared before were run out?

Sure it's a bad move for a politician, but sometimes the difficult decision is the right one.... Ask Bill Richardson and his move to legalize Medical Marijuana in New Mexico. He knew the move would probably effect his chances of running for president, but he did it anyways. He didn't care about the national political outcome, he did it because, "it had to be done".

The irony is that a gas tax vacation isn't really going to help anyone. It won't effect demand which will likely trigger another spike in prices from the oil companies once people go hog wild on "cheap" gas.

It's rather worse than that, because crude oil will still be needed for lubricants; you know, all that stuff that engines and machines run on. The more we use now, the worse the crash will be.