Spike wrote:
> I seriously doubt you could come up with a strategy which would work
> to accomplish such a goal.

It's easy, just vote for the guy that wants to eliminate/reduce the gas tax.

> You can threaten not to reelect politicians, but when they get huge
> campaign contributions from the oil companies, you think they'll care?

If they know the money won't be enough to get them re-elected they will
do the people's will. Oil companies don't vote, people do.

> You could boycott the oil companies to try to get them to push for
> lower taxes on gas. But they don't care. They have a product which
> everyone "needs" and which people will buy whatever the price.

It's not the oil companies fault that we have gas taxes. It's the
politicians' fault.

> If, and only if, you could get the overwhelming majority to stand
> together and demand the lowering of the taxes, would it happen, and I
> don't see that happening. For decades, this has been a goal with
> regard to income taxes. It has not happened yet. People think of self
> first. In order to feed themselves and their families, they need to
> get to work. If that means paying the high pump prices, they'll pay
> them. It won't matter what part is product and what part is tax.

IMO, the next great political upheaval will occur when a person runs for
president that can articulate to the average Joe citizen just how much
money they pay in taxes every year and make them see just what they are
receiving in return from the government (Federal, State and Local). We
are seeing the tip of this iceberg right now. We just need the right
politician to manifest it. I see a great need for a third party to
develop in this country.

> It's pretty rare when even a "temporary" tax is instituted with a
> specific end date, actually goes away. Once in place, as the end date
> approaches, the politicos find another use for a tax the people are
> already accustomed to paying. And they get enough people to support
> the new cause to keep it in place.

Every new tax they put on us brings these politicians closer to their
own demise. It's a slow painful process that we are having to endure
but one day enough of us will "get it" and actually demand a change.

> On Sun, 08 May 2005 12:04:57 -0400, "Michael Johnson, PE"
> > wrote:
>
>
>>If we would all make it clear that high gasoline taxes are unacceptable
>>and vote accordingly then those taxes would vanish very quickly.
>>
>>Spike wrote:
>>
>>>Tax or no tax, you're still paying what you pay. Just like in
>>>California. I makes no difference what the state tax and the fed tax
>>>are, I still have to pay whatever the pump price is.
>>>
>>>On Sat, 07 May 2005 22:39:32 -0700, Quiet Desperation
> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>In article >, Michael Johnson, PE
> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Ouch! I guess I'm 10 years behind the times then.
>>>>
>>>>You also have to take local gas taxes into account. I believe much of
>>>>the EU has enormous gas taxes.
>>>
>>>
>>>Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
>>>1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
>>>Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
>>>Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
>>>w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16
>
>
> Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
> 1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
> Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
> Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
> w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16