New Republicans

[Stan]

This is Bush's advisor.

Both parties can lick my balls.

Bush Economist: Gas Tax Cut Not the Answer
May 02 8:21 PM US/Eastern
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By JEANNINE AVERSA
AP Economics Writer


WASHINGTON


Cutting gasoline taxes is not a good way for the country to deal with soaring energy prices, President Bush's top economist said Tuesday.

"One of the things we worry about when we cut the tax on gasoline is that it basically stimulates additional use," said Edward Lazear, chairman of the White House's Council of Economic Advisers.

"Over a longer period of time, it would be a significant problem ... because what it would do is it would encourage us to use more oil, not less and that is the way we got to the situation right now," he explained. "That probably is one of the policies that we would like to avoid," he said.

Lazear's comments come as lawmakers on Capitol Hill grapple with ways to provide Americans with relief from rising energy prices.

Oil prices hit a record high of over $75 a barrel in late April; they are now hovering above $74 a barrel. Gasoline prices, meanwhile, are topping $3 a gallon in some areas.

Democrats have promoted the idea of a "tax holiday" by suspending the 18.4 cent a gallon federal gasoline tax for 60 days.

Lazear also raised questions about another idea that has been advocated by Republicans: providing a $100 gasoline rebate to millions of motorists.

"The administration is studying that proposal. It doesn't have the same kind of direct adverse consequence that we just talked about" in terms of a cut in the gasoline tax, he said.

"But there are other issues that we have to think about _ is that the best way to be using our tax revenues? Is it the most efficient way to allocate our resources? And so there are a number of issues that are under study on that," Lazear said of the gasoline rebate.

Lazear made his remarks during a wide-ranging question-and-answer session following a speech that explored, among other things, the gap between the wages of skilled and unskilled workers in the United States.

That wage gap has been visible for decades and "shows no obvious signs of abating in the near future," he said. Improving the education and skills of workers is one important way to help the situation, he said.

[mschaffer66]

Isn't cutting the tax and giving tax rebates kind of the same thing? Just a matter of when you get your money?

I think people just need to suck it up and accept that the days of 4 gallons for a quarter are gone forever.

[PavementPounder]

Originally Posted by mschaffer66

Isn't cutting the tax and giving tax rebates kind of the same thing? Just a matter of when you get your money?

I think people just need to suck it up and accept that the days of 4 gallons for a quarter are gone forever.

I would say no, because I would see a savings of way more than 100 fucking dollars if they suspended the gas tax like they said.

[kerryann]

We would see a greater savings too but I cant complain too much because big brother didnt force me to buy a gas eating truck and lift my jeep. We dont have a gas economic vehicle in the fleet.

[_F_]

Gas prices don't bother me much. It is out of my control. What I can control is the type of vehicle I drive, how I drive, and how many miles I drive.

I don't think the gas tax should be suspended. I think gasoline consumers should look more closely at what they drive and where they drive. Also consumers need to be cognizant of difference betwwen needs and wants when considering transportation.

[SquirrelWJ]

Originally Posted by _F_

Gas prices don't bother me much. It is out of my control. What I can control is the type of vehicle I drive, how I drive, and how many miles I drive.

I don't think the gas tax should be suspended. I think gasoline consumers should look more closely at what they drive and where they drive. Also consumers need to be cognizant of difference betwwen needs and wants when considering transportation.

Agreed. Get something more efficient, use less gas, etc... hate to say it but the economist is right. Lower the price will only increase the problem. Instead of the soccer mom who gets the biggets baddest SUV because they "feel safe in it!" over what they actually need and what's economical.


As for the "skilled" vs "unskilled" labor. Well no shit there's a gap! There should be! I'm sorry, why should those that don't have the education get paid the same as those that do? Don't tell me "some people just can't" because there are ways to get help to educate yourself, especially if you fall into a low-income bracket. If I took the time to further my abilities, I honestly should be better compensated than those who don't.

[Stan]

Originally Posted by SquirrelWJ

Agreed. Get something more efficient, use less gas, etc... hate to say it but the economist is right. Lower the price will only increase the problem. Instead of the soccer mom who gets the biggets baddest SUV because they "feel safe in it!" over what they actually need and what's economical.


As for the "skilled" vs "unskilled" labor. Well no shit there's a gap! There should be! I'm sorry, why should those that don't have the education get paid the same as those that do? Don't tell me "some people just can't" because there are ways to get help to educate yourself, especially if you fall into a low-income bracket. If I took the time to further my abilities, I honestly should be better compensated than those who don't.

Sorry, this is what I was talking about.
I wasn't very clear.