I recall recently hearing an OPEC representative speaking out about high gasoline prices being due to the taxes imposed by the various governments.
While that is partly true, I would prefer that a tax revenue stream is generated from gasonline usage in our country that can be used in the budget process for the various items in the mex, education, hospitals etc.
I would hope that a portion of that tax revenue is used for developing and funding the introduction of various alternatives to our current oil-based dependence, but this is probably wishfull thinking to expect from any government. Except of course, that continuing high prices and the public pain and outrage do force us all to confront and develop alternatives faster than low prices would. As far as I can see the faster we move away from oil dependence the better.
In the event that governments all, or selectively, decide to remove the current taxes on gasoline, does anyone really think that anything will happen except that after a short term dip in prices, that the revenue that was previously available for our budget process now finds its way into the coffers of the middle east oil producers allowing them to collect that tax revenue instead of our government?
