Posted by: McQ on Monday, June 30, 2008 As I read it, that's precisely what Bill Marsh of the NY Times is implying with this latest article. He begins by attempting to sell us on the claim that no matter how high our prices are at the gas pump now, we've "got it good" compared to others. In fact, his article is entitled "Savoring Bargains at the American Pump" No, really. He begins his lesson with: Gasoline in the United States is cheap.And relatively speaking, that's true. Or at least it's true when compared to Europe. But the reason it is cheap in comparison has nothing to do, really, with the price of crude. Taxes are the reason and in as convoluted an opinion piece as you'll see, Marsh thinks high taxes are a good thing: Gas taxes are used to encourage conservation, to finance roads and transit, and to fill other government coffers. Higher rates tend to insulate drivers from price spikes. On a percentage basis, Europeans have had to absorb far smaller increases in gas costs than Americans in recent years. They’re used to paying double what Americans do — or more — and they live accordingly.Yes friends, Mr. Marsh wants you to understand that high gas taxes are what have saved Europeans from huge gas spikes and, because of them, our Euro friends, like good little proles, learned long ago how to live with high gas prices and have adjusted their lifestyles accordingly. Ignore the riots, slowdowns and blocked roads in Europe as drivers protest the price of fuel. They're not really important to the larger point - government is your friend and will do what is best for you through thoughtful taxation. So, all hail government. And don't you appreciate what good those taxes have done? "Encourage conservation, finance roads and transit" and most importantly "fill other government coffers". Said another way, these taxes control behavior, finance the government's preferred solutions and provide an excess of funds which go toward whatever other boondoggle the government finds to spend it on. Heaven forbid you be left to spend your money on your priorities in life. So savor your bargains at the pump you spoiled Americans! Everyone knows the enlightened European way is the best. Distances and travel times are vastly different within the two continents? Phaaa ... pay no attention to the facts, avoid the pain of thinking, lay back and let government tax you into the proper behavior while "filling other coffers" with the excess. You'll enjoy the way they spend the money - I promise. |
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