(11-17-2019 11:57 AM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  

(11-17-2019 09:06 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Paid $2.02.9 at the pump yesterday. The anti-oil policies of the Democratic field will take us back to $4.00+, apparently an outcome that will please their leadership.

Very little issue with increasing gas prices, as I generally feel like the positives from actions that would increase costs are more worthwhile. We could better fund infrastructure changes and upgrades if gas taxes increased, and potentially reduce fuel consumption if that money is spent making more robust investments in public transportation.

It’s not a zero sum game where all cost increases are automatically bad, without thinking about what are the positives of the actions leading to those cost increases.

Once again Lad helps me out by demonstrating left-side thinking - we(Democrats) don't care if the lower and middle class have to shoulder a burden as long as it helps us to save the world.

No, it is not a zero sum game. But transportation costs are a major cost to most small businesses. Let gas double, and what do you think Jerry and Bob's Air Conditioning Repair will do to cover their increased costs? Raise prices, of course!!! How about the tens of thousands of truckers and truck lines and delivery services? It is a base cost in the economy.

Of course, for those concerned about tax revenues falling, remember, the (increased) gas costs are deductible, leading to lower income taxes paid.

But if those are worth it to you to be able to say we are saving the environment, go right ahead.

Now, I must admit, I have a 14 month old car with 27K+ on it, so gas prices are something I notice. But I see a lot of people benefiting from the lower cost, not just the rich, and those same people will be directly and adversely impacted by higher prices. Lad et al thinks that could be a good thing in context of infrastructure work and forcing people to drive less.