STOP THE GAS TAX!
Congress has the ability, in just a few weeks to instantly lower our gasoline prices by over 18 cents a gallon – by doing nothing.
The Federal Gas Tax, which adds 18.5 cents to every gallon of gasoline, EXPIRES on September 30. By doing nothing and refusing to renew the tax, Congress can provide immediate relief to every American's pocketbook– something sorely needed in this "Obama Economy".
Wouldn't YOU be better off if you could pay 18.5 cents less for every gallon of gas you buy?
The Federal Gas Tax adds 18.5 cents to the cost of every gallon of gas.
That tax expires September 30 – but only if Congress refuses to renew it.
The 112th Congress has the unique opportunity to jumpstart our economy by not lifting a finger. You see, every single gallon of gas we buy includes an 18.5 cent "Federal Gas Tax". Simply allowing this tax to expire would automatically and instantly reduce gas prices. The economic implications are enormous. An 18.5 cent per gallon reduction in gas prices would not only make your daily commute cheaper, it would reduce the cost of nearly every product you buy. Fuel costs for shipping are factored into the price of all products. And since the majority of American products continue to be shipped on trucks, that federal gas tax is included in the price of the fruit, fast food and diapers we use every day. Reduce the gas tax and we should see a reduction in prices immediately.If the gas tax is not renewed:
- How many truckers driven out of the trade by high gas prices could return to work?
- How much more affordable would our food be if the transportation costs did not have to include a Federal Gas Tax?
- How much money would you save if your monthly gasoline bill were 18.5 cents per gallon cheaper?
Americans are suffering from the worst economy in decades. We all feel the pressure to reduce expenditures and put off plans and cancel vacations due to dwindling pocket books. By simply allowing the federal gas tax to expire, Congress could instantly relieve much of that pressure and help put Americans back on the track to prosperity.
What about the roads? Gasoline taxes are supposed to be the best form of taxation for road maintenance because they provide funding simply by charging road users. This "user tax" conforms to what economists refer to as the benefit principle of taxation – taxing consumers of government services in proportion to the benefit they obtain.
Predictably, benefit-principle taxation has taken a backseat to political pandering; public officials cannot resist the temptation to divert revenue.
For instance, 2008 federal highway legislation authorized more than 6,000 earmarks from the highway trust fund. Some went to legitimate road programs, but too many were for projects like Boston's infamous "Big Dig" boondoggle, the "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska, "public education" (propaganda) and museums, graffiti removal and parking garages. How are these federal responsibilities?
Polls show Americans consider gasoline taxes to be the least fair of all state and local taxes. And at the federal level, only the estate tax was seen as less fair than the federal gasoline tax.
Moreover, we are Taxed Enough Already at the pump – even with NO federal tax! Every state levies a statewide excise tax on gasoline. Seven states apply their general sales taxes to gasoline purchases on top of excise taxes, and some states levy taxes based on the per-gallon gross production of petroleum products. Often there are environmental fees and other taxes added to gasoline purchases. These state taxes on gas significantly add to motorists' tax burdens, yet the states presently look to federal government for transportation funding – so they can divert their state gas revenue to other purposes. The Porkathon rolls on.
Motorists in California pay the highest combined gasoline tax, at 62.8 cents per gallon. If the federal tax were allowed to expire, the states would have a new incentive to properly allocate their own gas tax revenue for maintaining their roads and highways, and ensuring safe and efficient commerce – while giving us taxpayers much needed relief!
This issue directly affects YOUR pocket book! PLEASE, take a moment to fax Congress now. Tell them we are tired of being taxed into poverty. We are tired of subsiding Federal share the wealth programs. Tell them we want THE GOVERNMENT to tighten its belt and leave ours alone!
Keep Faith,
Ambassador Alan Keyes
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