Have you ever leaned against your car and softly squeezed the gas nozzle in a strange hope that the pump will be nicer to you if you are nicer to it? Hate to burst your bubble, but just like a band-aid – fast or slow; it still hurts like hell. That pump is going to rob you the same regardless of how hard you squeeze.
Ever wondered where all that money goes? According to most media it’s one of two places – Big Oil or Big Oil. I live in a place where the cost of gas can do more than ruin your weekend plans; it can bring a presidential administration to its knees. Then again so can Donald Trumph, so maybe that comparison isn’t as strong as it used to be.
Rather than write another panic-at-the-pump, tips on fuel savings or 40-MPG-car post; I’d rather share a unique post I came across today about gas pricing. Mark J. Perry, author of Carpe Diem, is a fellow Washingtonian and a Michigan native who also happens to be an economist (highly recommend his blog). He articles specifically focus on Exxon and their profits in a gallon of fuel and total taxes paid.
As America shapes the fuels and power trains of tomorrow it will be interesting to watch how our political leaders, state and federal, address the slowing gas tax money train. Vehicles are more efficient at using fossil fuels and some have dropped the bad habit all together.
There will come a day when the politicos will have to engineer a new plan to balance the whole game of good vs bad fuels in the name of road repair. This will also mean rethinking the wonderful world of fuel subsidies. This becomes a delicate game as they consider additional taxes while continuing to wag their fingers at Big Oil as Public Enemy Numero Uno.
Do you think we need higher gas taxes, a per-mile tax, a heavy truck tax? Share your thoughts with me.
Happy Motoring,
DCAG
