Gimme A Break...From the Gas Tax Plan

I've been thinking about how to create a witty, sarcastic post about the Gas Tax Plan. But I can't. Because every time I think of it I just want to scream 'WHAT ARE YOU MORONS THINKING?'

I'm sorry, was that too direct? A bit harsh? Let me explain.

The plan which Hillary and McCain have thus far backed is to give us a 'Gas Tax Holiday'. There are about 20 cents of federal tax on every gallon of gasoline. They are proposing that during the summer months the federal government would suspend that tax, thereby making gas in my town a mere $3.40 a gallon instead of its current $3.60 a gallon.

First, lets all remember that this gas tax pays for all our highway projects. After we fail to collect it for three months what will we be using to repair those roads? And how will we pay those workers who are normally repairing those roads? Oh right, unemployment checks. That sounds like a great way to lighten up the recession talk.

Second, could someone get Emily Post in here to tune politicians into the social faux pas that is regifting? Because basically, well yeah, thanks for giving me my own crap back.

Don't pretend you're doing me a favor here. That tax money was mine to being with. So basically the proposal is that you are going to give me a break by allowing me to keep my own stuff. And in the meantime my roads will deteriorate and my neighbors will be out of work. How generous of you.

Last, and most importantly in my opinion, the ability of this plan to actually work relies completely on blind trust that energy executives will hold gas prices steady. And, uuummm, I could be the dumb one here, but where is the evidence that they are interested in that?

These people didn't make billions of dollars in profits by overlooking opportunities to exploit global markets or by wringing their hands all day over how hard it is for the rest of us to buy gas. Oh contraire, don't you think they know we will pay $3.60 a gallon? And if you take away the tax, what will they see? Oh yes, room to expand profits by 20 cents a gallon.

And when the tax comes back then what? Yeah, we are even more screwed.

So before you 'help me out' by offering your wolves to guard my hen house. Maybe we should check with a bankrupt Enron janitor about just how trustable those big energy executives can be.