May 11 2008
Graham to Introduce Gas Tax Holiday Bill
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said he will propose suspending the federal tax of 18.4 cents a gallon for the summer in a measure on the Senate floor as early as next week.
“On a very short-term basis, I think Sen. (John) McCain’s got a really good idea — relieve that tax,” said Graham, R-S.C.
The idea also has been widely touted by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton. Democratic candidate Barack Obama has dismissed it as a political gimmick that will not solve the real problems of soaring demand and dwindling supply.
This is an entirely stupid idea. The Federal Gas tax is needed to maintain the transportation infrastructure in this country. By suspending it we are taking money out of that pool and creating an even larger deficit that the government is already running for this fiscal year. Barack Obama is correct in saying that this is nothing more than a political gimmick. It’s pandering to the worst degree and will not solve the gas price crisis.
The days of $1.50 per gallon gas are behind us and it’s fine time that Americans get that through their heads. The developing world, mainly China and India, are consuming more of the oil resources than in previous years. That combined with instability in the Middle East due to the Iraq War and the unwillingness of many of our own elected officials to allow us to drill within our own freaking borders are all contributing to the skyrocketing prices.