With gas prices quickly approaching that of the three post-recession peaks, it is inevitable that when brought up, this topic will ignite at least one bitter, whiny monologue centered around how gas prices are not only leaving cars running on empty, but American wallets as well. Throughout history, we've seen how well the people of our country react to publicly deemed "unfair" Government taxing; raising the gas taxes in order to push the American populace into buying a Smart car will be completely counter-productive if enraged civilians decide to dump them all into the Boston Harbor.
Despite the fact that "going-green" is currently all the rage, money talks. Valerie J. Karplus, research scientist in the Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change at M.I.T., suggests that if the goal is to become more environmentally-friendly, gas prices should be increased. Karplus' argument might be scientifically accurate, but how much weight will it hold in the realm of the Government? In politics, it's the vote that counts; although it might be trendy in society to save the planet, increasing the tax on a product that is non-negotiable for most Americans is politically irrational.
Karplus argues that "gasoline tax is a tool of energy and transportation policy, not social policy," however, this clearly illustrates why she is a scientist, not a politician. Although it might be scientifically sound to assert that the government should make gas more expensive to reduce consumption in order to help the environment, this is politically irrelevant. Taxes on gas are undoubtedly a matter of social policy, based on the criteria that they affect the lifestyle and social welfare of the population. Karplus blithely suggests that "with a clear explanation to the public" everyone will agree that raising the gas tax to forty-five cents is the best option for saving the environment. Try explaining to a struggling American that barely has enough in their tank to get to work, that they shouldn't question the gas prices because they are a matter of energy and transportation policy and not social policy.Yeah Right. If saving the environment was as simple as just hiking up the gas tax, it would have already been done.
Being an environmental activist myself, I would like to believe that there can be change in our country to help preserve our planet, but I am also a Realist. American political knowledge is at an all time low, and most civilians would likely miss the purpose of the tax entirely and simply jump to cursing Obama and his insidious magic wand that makes the numbers on the Shell Station marquee skyrocket. Although environmental awareness is growing within society, the economy remains in shambles; most citizens probably wont check the ballot for a candidate who's trying to raise gas prices, even if that candidate is Captain Planet. In a perfect world, Karplus' proposal might theoretically be effective, and civilians might elect representatives that were willing to make tough policy decisions for the benefit of a greater cause, but this world is not perfect, and politicians know that.
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