The Gas Tax: Our Government’s Pickpocket, Essay Example

In recent years, the increased gas prices have been a hotly debated topic for many drivers. High gas prices have persisted because of the necessary advantages claimed by producers, despite the disadvantages to consumers. In an attempt to ease the effect of consumer disadvantages, government agencies are developing alternative plans meant to ease the burden of increased gas prices and provide the government with revenue. For example, there has been increased focus on improved public transportation programs and a proposed increase in the gas tax. Despite increased availability to public transportation, much of America’s workforce is still reliant on their vehicles for daily commutes and travel. As a result, much of the population is forced to adapt economically to increased gas prices. The four articles by Peter Ford, Ian Ayres, James Manzi, and Steven D. Levitt discussed in class have had an impact on my views of the gas tax. I do not support the gas tax because of the increased economic burden on citizens, the inadequate incentives, and the inaccurate reasoning behind it.

An increase in the gas tax will place a greater economic strain on American households, one that the government can not readily alleviate. In an effort to accommodate increased gas taxes, people are seeing public transportation as a viable and welcome alternative to driving personal vehicles. However, despite recent government focus on public transportation systems, there are still many areas where public transport is not fully developed, especially in suburban and rural areas. Peter Ford gives this quote by Paul Hodgson of the RAC in his article. It states that:

Most people have no alternative, particularly those who live in rural areas. A lot of   motorists tell us that if there was a decent and affordable public transport system they would use that … but we are still a long way from having an alternative. (Hodgson).

In this quotation, Hodgson clearly expresses the view that people are forced to accept the increase of gas taxes because they have no alternative solutions. The public reports that expansion of public transportation systems into suburban and rural areas would be a welcome and well-used addition in many communities. This viewpoint expressed in Britain could be the same here in the U.S. In America, the percent of trips made on foot, by bike, or by public transportation are around 20% (Ford). Reasons for this percentage could be due to cultural factors.  As Jos Dings, head of Transport and Energy, a coalition of European environmental NGOs, states in Ford’s article, “America has built its entire society around the car, which enabled suburbs.” (Ford).  It would perhaps take more than increased public transportation to encourage Americans to drive less, and adapt gasoline usage to an increased tax. Ian Ayres expresses a viewpoint in his article that is based on giving consumers something in return.

In his article, Want A Politically Viable Gas Tax? Make It Voluntary, Ayres discusses the merits of a tax rebate for consumers. His persuasive argument aimed at licensed taxpayers highlights the tax rebate as an incentive that would make people drive less and save money. Ayres uses Aristotle’s concept of logos, or logical proof, by sharing facts about the tax rebate. In the article, Ayres states that, “the government would offer a $500 advance tax rebate each year for every car you choose to sign up for the tax. In return, you would commit to pay an extra $1 for each gallon of gas you buy. The actual tax paid would be based on miles driven and fuel economy.” (Ayres). By emphasizing the facts about the $500 tax rebate, Ayres hopes to persuade his audience to support the tax rebate. However, the amount of an extra $1 for every gallon of gas is quite steep. If one stops to consider that the average gas tank on an economy vehicle is usually 16 gallons, and larger for many SUV and truck styles, that is an extra cost of at least $16 for every fill-up. If we use $16 per fill-up as our number, then the $500 rebate amount would cover only thirty-one fill-ups. Not very many when you consider that the average driver fills up their vehicle tank at least once a week and that many households have two vehicles in operation on a regular basis.

James Manzi cites support against the gas tax in his article, And Global Warming Too! Like Ayres, Manzi consults Aristotle’s rhetoric theories in his use of pathos, or emotional proof, when he discusses the remote danger of global warming risks in his article. Manzi asserts that, “higher gas taxes would not be an effective means of addressing global-warming risks,” (Manzi). He invokes a feeling of confidence in his audience by expressing how remote the danger to global warming from vehicle emissions is. An example of his use of pathos is choosing phrases such as, “only if”, “dramatically”, “outer edge of the probability distribution”, “highly unlikely” and “extremely unlikely” to describe the danger as remote. Used within Manzi’s argument, these chosen phrases work to give the audience confidence in the decision to continue in their current driving habits. If the audience is comfortable with the relationship between global warming and their current driving habits, then an attempt to decrease global warming will not be an effective justification for the gas tax.

The article readings have helped me to form a position against the gas tax. Current incentives offered by the government are not high enough to offset the economic stress to individuals caused by the gas tax. Until a plan is formed that will make the tax work for citizens, the gas tax will remain a chain around the economy and citizens will remain chained to the gas pump.

Bibliography

Ayres, Ian. Freakonomics: The Hidden Side of Everything. 10 March 2009. 12 December 2009 <http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/10/want-a-politically-viable-gas-tax-make-it-voluntary/>.

Ford, Peter. “Gas prices too high? Try Europe.” The Christian Science Monitor. Paris, 26 August 2005.

Levitt, Steven D. Freakonomics: The Hidden Side of Everything. 18 June 2007. 12 December 2009 <http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/06/18/hurray-for-high-gas-prices/>.

Manzi, James. “And Global Warming Too! .” National Review Online, 26 January 2009.