Gas prices...
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: MD
Glenn Beck is picking a fight again with General Motors.
He's mad at GM CEO Dan Akerson for suggesting that gas taxes should be hiked 50 cents to $1 a gallon to encourage sales of electric and other alternative-energy-power cars.
"A 50-cent gas tax would make everyone puke. A dollar might make me puke my heart and lungs," the conservative commentator said on his Fox News show yesterday. He says that forcing up gas prices will force up the price of all goods and services, hitting hard at the poor.
Beck says moves to increase energy efficiency in cars will push new car prices up an average of $3,500. He even goes after Chevrolet Volt, GM's acclaimed extended-range electric wonder car. In addressing Akerson directly, Beck says, "I've seen your crappy new electric car. Nobody is buying it."
He blasts Akerson personally for being a former executive at the Carlyle Group, an international investment firm. Beck, who has drawn fire from the left for weaving conspiracy theories, alleges that Carlyle has ties to conservative punching bag and billionaire George Soros and former secretary of State Madeleine Albright's daughter, Colin Powell and Prince Al-Waleed, a Saudi investor. He decries GM for taking billions in federal bailouts and says the automaker hasn't repaid -- and probably won't. "We're losing, I think it's $18 billion dollars on this deal," he says.
GM bashing is a recurring theme with Beck. He took on the same repayment issue during a show in April.
Now that I got that off my chest, I was against the bailout of GM but, I have to admit, it appears to have worked out well. GM has paid back most of the bailout money and has come up with an attractive product line. I drove a Volt and am impressed. It's a nice car that gets incredible gas mileage. Being a hybrid it is not range limited like the Nissan Leaf, which I think will translate into more sales. I certainly wouldn't want to have to worry about running out of juice on an extended trip. GM's sales abroad is taking off, particularly in China.
Also, let's not forget what it would have done to the economy if all those GM employees and employees of supplier firms had been thrown out of their jobs at a time when the entire US economy was on the verge of a deep depression. While it's true that markets will eventually solve the unemployment problem the transition can be painful for everyone.
Finally, whether or not we like to hear this, the federal gasoline tax needs to increased substantially. It has not been increased in many years so in real terms the tax as progressively gone down. Phasing in a $1 increase over 5-7 years would give everyone an incentive to buy fuel-efficient cars during the normal replacement cycle and help get us off expensive foreign oil. It would also help pay down the national debt.
Nobody wants to pay more in taxes but if we have to a higher gasoline tax is a good way to go. And it is a fair tax; people who choose to drive Escalades and Hummers should pay the full cost of their driving.
^Again with that mentality. Gas is already expensive. We aren't Europe where travel distance is shorter. Our economy is in the crapper, yet its a good idea to charge more for gas, the lifeblood of America. Gas goes up, EVERYTHING goes up.
Also not everyone has the money to go out and buy a brand new fuel efficient gas/electric all electric hybrid. I hate the mentality of those who feel like they should impose their views on others and feel self righteous to the point they'd suggest higher prices will benefit others because they can afford to change.
Also not everyone has the money to go out and buy a brand new fuel efficient gas/electric all electric hybrid. I hate the mentality of those who feel like they should impose their views on others and feel self righteous to the point they'd suggest higher prices will benefit others because they can afford to change.
Beck is an idiot with a big mouth. As I recall he was a drunk - before he wasn't. I think it pickled his brain.
Now that I got that off my chest, I was against the bailout of GM but, I have to admit, it appears to have worked out well. GM has paid back most of the bailout money and has come up with an attractive product line. I drove a Volt and am impressed. It's a nice car that gets incredible gas mileage. Being a hybrid it is not range limited like the Nissan Leaf, which I think will translate into more sales. I certainly wouldn't want to have to worry about running out of juice on an extended trip. GM's sales abroad is taking off, particularly in China.
Also, let's not forget what it would have done to the economy if all those GM employees and employees of supplier firms had been thrown out of their jobs at a time when the entire US economy was on the verge of a deep depression. While it's true that markets will eventually solve the unemployment problem the transition can be painful for everyone.
Finally, whether or not we like to hear this, the federal gasoline tax needs to increased substantially. It has not been increased in many years so in real terms the tax as progressively gone down. Phasing in a $1 increase over 5-7 years would give everyone an incentive to buy fuel-efficient cars during the normal replacement cycle and help get us off expensive foreign oil. It would also help pay down the national debt.
Nobody wants to pay more in taxes but if we have to a higher gasoline tax is a good way to go. And it is a fair tax; people who choose to drive Escalades and Hummers should pay the full cost of their driving.
Now that I got that off my chest, I was against the bailout of GM but, I have to admit, it appears to have worked out well. GM has paid back most of the bailout money and has come up with an attractive product line. I drove a Volt and am impressed. It's a nice car that gets incredible gas mileage. Being a hybrid it is not range limited like the Nissan Leaf, which I think will translate into more sales. I certainly wouldn't want to have to worry about running out of juice on an extended trip. GM's sales abroad is taking off, particularly in China.
Also, let's not forget what it would have done to the economy if all those GM employees and employees of supplier firms had been thrown out of their jobs at a time when the entire US economy was on the verge of a deep depression. While it's true that markets will eventually solve the unemployment problem the transition can be painful for everyone.
Finally, whether or not we like to hear this, the federal gasoline tax needs to increased substantially. It has not been increased in many years so in real terms the tax as progressively gone down. Phasing in a $1 increase over 5-7 years would give everyone an incentive to buy fuel-efficient cars during the normal replacement cycle and help get us off expensive foreign oil. It would also help pay down the national debt.
Nobody wants to pay more in taxes but if we have to a higher gasoline tax is a good way to go. And it is a fair tax; people who choose to drive Escalades and Hummers should pay the full cost of their driving.
And people who are driving SUV’s and Minivans are already paying more tax than those who drive smaller cars simply by filling up gas more often. To impose a higher tax just on larger cars isn’t gonna happen.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Beck is an idiot with a big mouth. As I recall he was a drunk - before he wasn't. I think it pickled his brain.
Now that I got that off my chest, I was against the bailout of GM but, I have to admit, it appears to have worked out well. GM has paid back most of the bailout money and has come up with an attractive product line. I drove a Volt and am impressed. It's a nice car that gets incredible gas mileage. Being a hybrid it is not range limited like the Nissan Leaf, which I think will translate into more sales. I certainly wouldn't want to have to worry about running out of juice on an extended trip. GM's sales abroad is taking off, particularly in China.
Also, let's not forget what it would have done to the economy if all those GM employees and employees of supplier firms had been thrown out of their jobs at a time when the entire US economy was on the verge of a deep depression. While it's true that markets will eventually solve the unemployment problem the transition can be painful for everyone.
Finally, whether or not we like to hear this, the federal gasoline tax needs to increased substantially. It has not been increased in many years so in real terms the tax as progressively gone down. Phasing in a $1 increase over 5-7 years would give everyone an incentive to buy fuel-efficient cars during the normal replacement cycle and help get us off expensive foreign oil. It would also help pay down the national debt.
Nobody wants to pay more in taxes but if we have to a higher gasoline tax is a good way to go. And it is a fair tax; people who choose to drive Escalades and Hummers should pay the full cost of their driving.
Now that I got that off my chest, I was against the bailout of GM but, I have to admit, it appears to have worked out well. GM has paid back most of the bailout money and has come up with an attractive product line. I drove a Volt and am impressed. It's a nice car that gets incredible gas mileage. Being a hybrid it is not range limited like the Nissan Leaf, which I think will translate into more sales. I certainly wouldn't want to have to worry about running out of juice on an extended trip. GM's sales abroad is taking off, particularly in China.
Also, let's not forget what it would have done to the economy if all those GM employees and employees of supplier firms had been thrown out of their jobs at a time when the entire US economy was on the verge of a deep depression. While it's true that markets will eventually solve the unemployment problem the transition can be painful for everyone.
Finally, whether or not we like to hear this, the federal gasoline tax needs to increased substantially. It has not been increased in many years so in real terms the tax as progressively gone down. Phasing in a $1 increase over 5-7 years would give everyone an incentive to buy fuel-efficient cars during the normal replacement cycle and help get us off expensive foreign oil. It would also help pay down the national debt.
Nobody wants to pay more in taxes but if we have to a higher gasoline tax is a good way to go. And it is a fair tax; people who choose to drive Escalades and Hummers should pay the full cost of their driving.
The vast majority of Americans would agree with Beck that significantly raising the gas tax would be an idiotic idea. Especially when the economy remains in the crapper.
And do you not understand the correlation between higher gas prices and everything else going up as a result? Food is already going through the roof, higher fuel costs would raise them even higher.
Perhaps money is no object to you but for most, it does not come with ease.
Also, how come some of the same people that demonize oil companies for charging what they do for gas, call for higher gas taxes on gas?
More to the government that does nothing to produce and distribute that gas should get the biggest piece of the pie?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,349
Likes: 0
From: QC/FRANCE
I just checked, here in Montreal we pay like US$1.738 per gallon just in taxes. So with all the taxes it comes up to US$4.90 (C$1.31 per litre), without the taxes it be like US$3.162 per gallon (C$0.85 per litre)
Last edited by JessePS; Dec 30, 2011 at 10:31 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
So what are those outrageous taxes used for? Another tax going toward Canada's "free"
healthcare or is it supposedly all for infrastructure?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,349
Likes: 0
From: QC/FRANCE
Who knows how much money they really make from that and our roads are still ****. Seeing all the government contracts go to corrupt companies, that over charge and don't do the job right 
It sucks living in supposedly the most corrupt place in all of North America.
Out of Warranty
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,925
Likes: 13
From: Houston, Republic of Texas
Gas taxes only make retail outlets (service stations) into government tax collectors. As of July 11th of last year, gas taxes in Texas amounted to 20.0¢/gal for the state, and 18.4¢/gal federal tax for a total of 38.4¢/gal. We're significantly below the US average, that is currently 48.9¢/gal nationwide (combined state and federal taxes). Connecticut, New York, and California hold the top spots with total taxes of 68, 67.9 and 67.5¢/gal, respectively. That's roughly $12 - $15 per tankful . . . think you're getting your money's worth?
Reading over this thread from last year, the dire predictions of $5/gal gas never materialized down here. In fact our local prices have fallen considerably over just the last few months. Most suburban stations are now charging around $2.99/gal for Reg UL now, and some outlets (with coupons or discount registry ) are selling for far less. We paid $2.19 Friday night at Kroger. It pays to shop around and take advantage of discount offers.
What's the outlook for 2012? Probably about the same, with prices rising in the spring to fall back by early fall. Don't look for a serious attempt to tack on additional taxes this year . . . there will be an election this fall and prices should roll back to seasonal norms by late October. After the election? Well . . .
Reading over this thread from last year, the dire predictions of $5/gal gas never materialized down here. In fact our local prices have fallen considerably over just the last few months. Most suburban stations are now charging around $2.99/gal for Reg UL now, and some outlets (with coupons or discount registry ) are selling for far less. We paid $2.19 Friday night at Kroger. It pays to shop around and take advantage of discount offers.
What's the outlook for 2012? Probably about the same, with prices rising in the spring to fall back by early fall. Don't look for a serious attempt to tack on additional taxes this year . . . there will be an election this fall and prices should roll back to seasonal norms by late October. After the election? Well . . .
