Recently, as I've been watching the news - CNN, Fox, MSNBC and the like - I've heard an appalling discussion. There is talk of pushing up gas prices to "combat global warming" by "teach consumers to conserve". Obviously no advocate for this has ever taken an economics class or had a sane thought in their life.
Though it enraged me to do so, I listened for several minutes as a woman argued that the most pertinent way to lower gas prices in the long term was to raise them now. A big trend that's picking up speed in the democratic party. The argument is that consumers will continue to pay while the price is still attainable, and continue to use and abuse the oil. Once Americans learn they can do without, demand will subside, driving prices down - that's the theory, anyway. There is a lot of talk that all Americans drive simply out of pure indulgence - and should insted turn to mass transit.
My response to this is: that is all wrong. Let me explain why. Hurting consumers is not, at all, going to help them. Because while there are jerks driving around in Hummers, getting 7 miles to a gallon and taking it for joy rides on whims, there are also people who must commute for their JOBS. While many people who work in cities live in them, and can make use of mass transit, the fact is that many people DO NOT live in cities.
This is not Japan, we do not have nation wide, affordable mass transit which can take us from any desired point A to point B. For someone who lives in the suburbs 25 miles outside of the city they work in - that is not an option. What about people who neither live nor work near the city? The truth is that the majority of the time, gasoline is not a luxury item - it is a necessity. We have built a society which works, plays, and socializes miles from our home, based on long drives and numerous activities. Hiking up gasoline prices will not change Bobs need to get to his work, Jills need to get to school (especially college students, many of whom commute to colleges sometimes 1+ hours away to avoid paying expensive housing fees), Harvey still has to pick up his kids and Sam still has to take his mom to the doctor.
American has made a point of punishing all for the abuses of a few. The fact that people hum around in their 15mpg SUVs for no reason is not my fault. The fact that they drink oil like water is not my fault.
Oh, and let's talk about the fact that raising gas prices is just like a regressive tax. It will hurt the poor far worse than the rich. Because face it, if gas was $10 a gallon, there would still be rich people getting to work, but I'm not sure how people living hand to mouth would be able to have anything left over for food after doling out the money it would take to fill up the tank....
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We have built a society which works, plays, and socializes miles from our home, based on long drives and numerous activities.
That's the key.
I understand yer outrage. Decades of unsustainable city planning, mass transit and gas guzzling rigs have put us in this position. What's yer solution to the current struggle at the pumps?
While many people who work in cities live in them, and can make use of mass transit, the fact is that many people DO NOT live in cities.
Agreed. Would you call for creation of a public works program to engineer a more efficient mass transit system like those you refer to in Japan that could reach suburbia?
my documentary...
Wanna smile on the spot?