tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332592735810634424.post7258120547099779234..comments2019-12-14T14:59:13.545-05:00Comments on Claritas: A Debate Question, AnsweredHowardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16424520257796706030noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332592735810634424.post-42676959930101339212012-10-21T21:37:13.829-04:002012-10-21T21:37:13.829-04:00That's why I started by saying "The main ...That's why I started by saying "The main thing..." Why, to use Romney's example, are gas prices twice as high as they were four years ago? Not because of changes in taxes or transportation costs. <br /><br />Yes, we should raise gas taxes. That doesn't mean (except re: global warming) that high prices are good when the extra money is going to Venezuela. In fact, if we had higher gas taxes, there would be less money going to Venezuela.<br /><br />I'm not sure why "social engineering" has come to sound so sinister. Basically, it should just mean applied social science.Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16424520257796706030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332592735810634424.post-53514798746451261762012-10-21T10:41:03.566-04:002012-10-21T10:41:03.566-04:00And if I were Gov. Romney, I would rebut by saying...And if I were Gov. Romney, I would rebut by saying “That’s not true, Mr. President.” Gas prices not only tend to be lower in net exporting than in importing countries, but they also vary by as much as a dollar a gallon regionally across the U.S.. The reasons range from local taxes and fees to transportation costs, from gas station insurance to regulations on self-service, from competition to credit card costs. All of these factors can be (and are) influenced by the government, or the government could offset the pain with a tax deduction for commuting expenses.<br /><br /> A more important question is whether the government should attempt to lower gas prices. Personally, I think those prices should be substantially raised by increased taxes. Most people make individual choices based on gas prices: Where to live, where to work, what kind of car to drive, whether to carpool and, indirectly, what products to buy. Municipalities make similar choices with respect to public transportation, parking, and road improvements. Retailers make choices about local vs. distant sources of goods. Higher gas prices could, arguably, lead not only to reduced dependence on foreign oil, but also to cleaner air, fresher produce, healthier meat, lower traffic, safer driving (fewer heavy vehicles), reduced road maintenance costs, improved public transportation, and a revitalized sense of community.<br /><br /> Social engineering? Yes, whichever path we follow.<br />Mike Hnoreply@blogger.com