One Man's Quest To Save $100 From The 'Gas Tax Holiday'

Despite the best efforts of Senators John McCain and Hillary Clinton, Americans seem to be highly resistant to the boondogglicious "gas tax holiday" policy each camp is proposing, correctly identifying the idea as one specifically retrofitted to play ordinary, working-class Americans for rubes. Still, it can be helpful to know exactly what life would be like, were we to take this insane step and have a "gas tax holiday." So I went on out to the Gas Tax Holiday Calculator, to find out for myself.

Now, if you're like me, when you get that rare chance to take a vacation, you plan with some ambitious goals in mind. Barack Obama says at best, I can expect to save only $30 under the McCain/Clinton plan, but that hardly seems audacious or hopeful! So, I decided to see what I'd have to do to save a mere $100 between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

As it turns out, my "gas tax holiday" would feature little more than me driving around. To break the century mark in savings, I'd have to drive approximately 979 miles each week of the "holiday." That could keep me in my car for about four hours each day. And I drive a fuel-efficient compact. If I wanted some more room to stretch out - and with all the driving I'd be doing, who would begrudge me that? - I might end up having to spend all day in my car.

Still, I've always wanted the chance to drive across the country and see this great nation of ours, and McCain and Clinton do promise me a pittance for my efforts, so why not buckle up and take a few laps across the heartland? Well, once you've committed yourself to the arduous task of permanently driving, you encounter the next problem: the getting to and fro will be highly circumscribed once all of the roads start cracking and bridges start collapsing.

According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, whose "primary goal is to aggressively grow and protect transportation infrastructure investment to meet the public and business demand for safe and efficient travel," the "gas tax holiday" would cost the Federal highway system nearly $9 billion in lost revenues. Additionally, for many Americans, the "gas tax holiday" would result in the sort of vacation that many dread - unemployment. Over three hundred thousand jobs would be lost over the course of the next 3-4 years if the "gas tax holiday" were enacted.

That includes 6,390 jobs in Indiana and 7,071 in North Carolina. Why do I specifically mention those states? Oh, no reason!

Comments

[randyjet]

This would be funny if it were not so full of lies and pitiful knowledge of the US budget. First, I live in Houston and normally drive daily around 70 to 100 miles. LInkens lives in DC and earns so much more than most of us, it would not make any difference if gas were to go to $8/gal. plus he does not even need a car in his daily life, much less drive much.
The LIE is what Linkens says by saying that Clinton's plan is the same as McCain's in not making up for the shortfall in revenue. That is DISHONEST! It is also dishonest to say that the Trust Fund will be starved of money, since the Trust fund is a paper one and has NO money in it NOW. This has been the case for all such funds except SS since 1967.
He of course forgets about truckers, aviation and many other areas in which such savings are significant. I am tired of so called liberals only looking at themselves and thinking that THEY are the world.

[Pinkmarbles]

I think that the gov. should take that 9 billon dollar tax break and just buy everyone a bicycle!!!

[Pinkmarbles]

I think that a lot of people on this post have forgotten that the Feds are already collecting 18.4 cents per gallon and the bridges and roads are still in CRAP condition. So they take a tax holiday and lose 9 billon dollars. What were they going to do with the money, OBVIOUSLY not spend it on the roads and bridges, if you don't believe that just take a look around at the ones we have!

So we take a gas "holiday" BFD. I would save about $150 in the 15 weeks. So what.

The problem here is not the collecting of the tax but how these bunch of morons spend the money!

[KenGirard]

Lets brake it down into nice simple terms.
For every 10 gallons of gas you buy you will save $1.84
If you buy 100 gallons you save $18.40
If you buy 1,000 gallons you save $184.00
And if gas is at $3.50/gallon then you spent $3,500.00 for that 1,000 gallons.

If you get 12mpg that 1,000 gallons will move your Hummer 12,000 miles....of course, how many of us drive 12,000 miles in 15 weeks? That is 114 miles per day, seven days a week, for 15 weeks. The $184.00 savings might cover all the sodas you are drinking as you drive around.
If you get 20mpg that 1,000 gallons will move you 20,000 miles in 15 weeks, or 190 miles per day. Professional courier, or FedEx driver?

[NoMoFearNoMoHate]

great post man!

you're going on my Fan list right now!

[cinnysmom]

we need to find long term solutions for the gas price, not this "holiday" Maybe we should start taking responsibility ourselves, like slowing down, carpooling, taking the city bus, riding your bicycle, motorcycle, or walking. I know some of these ideas are not feasible for some people, but we have to do our part also. This gas tax holiday will never work, Bill Clinton actually raised the tax 15 years ago by 5 cents per gallon, does anyone remember that? This tax holiday will never pass by the summer even if Hillary or McCain try and put it thru the congress, house or senate. Bush will never sign it. This is just an example of say anything do anything for their vote.

[Doofus]

Hmmm. As dumb as the Gas Tax 'Holiday' may be, at least the proposal is
to make up the lost tax revenue by TAXING THE OIL COMPANIES instead.

(Maybe they'd just increase gas prices accordingly. Duh?)

Says the WSJ: 'Clinton to Introduce Gas-Tax Holiday Bill

Matt Phillips reports from Hendersonville, N.C., on the presidential race.

Sen. Hillary Clinton plans to introduce legislation today in the U.S. Senate following up on her campaign commitment to put the federal gas tax on hiatus during the peak summer driving season, said campaign spokesman Doug Hattaway.

The bill, which is to be co-sponsored by Sen. Robert Menendez (D., N.J.), would essentially implement the break in the gas tax on consumers while imposing a tax on oil companies to make up for lost revenue. Hattaway said it is unclear when the bill would come up for a vote, but added that the goal is to have the policy in place in time for the summer driving season, which is traditionally viewed as opening on Memorial Day.' ...

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/05/02/clinton-to-introduce-gas-tax-holiday-bill/

[Bozwellian]

REALITY CHECK TIME: Even IF somehow the TAX RELIEF proposal made it to a VOTE in the legilative bodies (and mind...is presently MAY 06 and NOT on the "agenda" ) IF somehow was so accomplished, somehow "passed" and made it to Georges desk...Do you think he WOULD sign it ? ANd then there there is the "proposed" way of enforcing /oversighting...MAJOR GBO in that particular regard..would need to have in place the legislation to give "authorities" the ability and etc TO OVERSIGHT and ENFORCE and oh, that part of the proposal that takes away the "tx benefit" FROM the oil companies and imposes a measure that will have THE OIL COMPANIES PAY...Yeah , right...REALITY CHECK cuz we all KNOW it will NOT happen..ANy believe that in MARKET BASED ECONOMY the corporation is NOT going to pass to the consumer the COST OF DOING BIZ or let their profits be reduced ?

[Doofus]

Hey, it's just a JESTURE! Something to 'Remember in November'.
So, we'd each save $30. Big deal. BUT, isn't it the thought that counts?
Doesn't cost a thing to make the proposal.

[Susan60]

And if anyone believes that Bush will sign a bill that includes a windfall profit tax on oil companies, I got a bridge to sell them. Oh wait, no I don't. It crumbled along with all the other infrastructure.

[BoydReed]

Absolutely hilarious. :-) Well done!

[Doofus]

Demos would be expected to PROPOSE such a tax, anyway, even knowing
that Bush+Cheney wouldn't sign it. 'Propose' in an ordinary year, anyway.
This year they will just propose that Big Oil pay the tax instead of consumers,
but look for that clause to go away during the legislative process. Not that it
has to, as consumers will end up paying the tax in the form of higher gas
prices anyway.

'A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage!' " Herbert Hoover campaign, 1928

[TurnThePageGA]

Let see how great she is at providing SOLUTIONS for working people when this passed and the President signs it. Otherwise it is more Bull$h!t. Any dimwit can propose legislation.

[Rog49Thomas]

I think I understand the logic here.

To save $0.18, I need to spend $3.888 per gallon. (I only get the rebate if I buy the gas. And I only buy premium where I live)

So if I drive more than I need to, I make a negative $3.70 per gallon.

Just like tax cuts for the already too wealthy, .somehow the country (or me in the gas tax case) will be better off.

This is a Republican idea, right?

[indypete]

Bingo!

[bola47]

Today is May 6th. McCain & Clinton are proposing a 3 month gas tax holiday for June, July & August. Has either one of them submitted a bill in the Senate? There is not enough time to get a bill through congress in time. This just proves that they are pandering.

[pertello]

wnbc.com
Gas Tax Holiday? Not in New York
By Jay DeDapper, WNBC Political Reporter

POSTED: 12:30 pm EDT April 30, 2008


NEW YORK -- Republicans in the New York Senate and Assembly say cutting the local, state and federal taxes on gasoline could save up to $10 per fill-up during their proposed "summer holiday" from gas taxes.


But many political and economic obstacles stand in the way of the election-year proposal.

Democratic Gov. David Paterson says he won't reject the push by Senate Republican leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Republican leader James Tedisco. But he says there's no guarantee gasoline suppliers and retailers wouldn't simply jack up the price even if the taxes are eliminated over the summer.

Paterson also questioned if the state can afford the loss of millions of dollars in revenue after years of spending too much and in the face of historic deficits.

Paterson said it's a "leap of faith" that prices at the pump would be cut by the amount of the taxes without some pledge by the industry.

"This is something we could legislate, but not implement," he said. He also said the state can't afford the revenue loss if there no guaranteed cut in gas prices because he predicts state deficits of up to $20 billion over the next three years......"I believe that oil companies will simply raise their prices to eliminate any cost savings."

[flyguy14222]

What a misleading photo. HuffPo is quickly slipping down that path to 'faux journalism". I don't expect you to come out and support Hillary, but how about some fair coverage? What could be a great site is going the way of Keith @ MSNBC.

[Titonwan]

Another entertaining post. I guess that's all we can do, until Shill/Bill exit stage left. By the comments of hillbilly supporters, I can see "you just can't reach everybody" (cool hand luke). Not only are the comments selfish and foolish, they're down right unpatriotic. Fu-k the bridges and the highways and the men/women that work on them- I want my gas! Waaa.... We need to have an immigrant exchange program- trade three Clittery morons for one mexican. Wait that isn't fair- five shills for one mexican. (They like being led by the nose, let em go down there, where they will happily accommodate their sheepish ways). And it's warmer too! That way, you idiots won't have to think too hard how to heat your bodies.

[GLaB]

You want entertainment? Try this (grab your calculator).

Start with Linkins' $100 goal. Divide that by the .18/gallon tax relief, you get 555.555555 gallons.
Divide the 555.555555 gallons by 15 gallons/tank, you get 37.037037 tanks of gas.
Now divide 37.037037 tanks of gas by 3 months, you get...

12.3456789.

Wow. It's like magic.

[RickO]

Here's an easy way to look at it. If you save 18 cents a gallon, and you get roughly 25 mpg, you need to drive over 4000 miles to save 30 bucks. If you run by Jiffy Lube every 3000 miles, you've spent more than you've saved anyway.

[researcher]

i want cheaper gas. so let her do this. jobs who cares about others jobs i am tired of paying high gas prices.

signed
just your average citizen in indiana and NC.


how do you think we americans got into this mess. it is called greed. wall street even brags about its greed is good culture.

now is the time for the chickens to come home to roost. no wait we are victims. my bad.

[cnimmo]

You already have the cheapest gas in the western world. Most other real countries pay double.

You'll probably be paying $20 a gallon by 2020. Get over it.

[Titonwan]

What in hell have you been "researching"? Don't confuse you with the facts? How some of you dress yourselves in the morning is a research project I'd like to investigate. Wow.

[Sciguy]

I suspect that researcher was pointing out that we got where we are by greed, and most folks are too dumb to realize that slightly cheaper gas may cost them their jobs!

[Chuckbutcher]

I have 1 vehicle which can manage 22mpg and I never drive it, wife's truck, SSR, a tank/month. My work truck (construction) gets 8 mpg, my dump truck gets 8 mpg, K5 gets 15 mpg, 62 ChevyII gets 14 mpg premium, motorhome gets 8 mpg, lot of stuff spending lots of time parked. All good for what they do, but I'm not interested in "saving" money at that expence.

I like cars, but I've never been much of one to just waste gas.

[Sciguy]

My 16 mpg SUV is the only vehicle we've got that will even get up the hill to our house without struggling. I'd LOVE to have a 4WD car that would haul some weight but run on something other than gas. In the meantime, I have no choice - I drive what I need for the farm. Also, I'm not made of money - like most folks, I'd have a tough time paying for another vehicle even if a better one was available.

[indypete]

Quite... I'd get a light motocycle but what I'd cough up in purchase price and insurance would make for a lo-o-o-o-o-o-ong road to actually saving any money.

[margoharris]

You know, as I see it, there is one question that Democrats need to ask themselves. Which candidate can get the votes to pass the legislative reforms that we need to solve the problems that we face going into the future?
My answer is Barack Obama. Every thing about him says he is the right person for the job at this time in history. At this crossroad. If we do not get a president that can inspire and lift up our spirits in the, I'm afraid to say, rather dark future. There are already food shortages in the world caused by global warming and it will get worse. The big corporate farms are pouring foodstuffs into biofuels and causing starvation around the globe. We have to find an alternative for biofuels, like switch grass. Obama has talked about this. We need a leader.
The emerging countries strive for our lifestyle, which we are learning we cannot sustain. He has a vision and a plan to tackle the big problems facing us in the future. I am sorry but Hillary is so divisive
Look how she has divided the Party. Look how she has us divided by class and race and she, who's with us or against us. How dare she say that. I am so tired of having to look at life through the eyes of the God Damn Clintons. She is uninspiring and brings me down.

[Sallybird]

You're breaking the rules of the Huffington Post. You're comments are totally out of line and abusive. Save your curses for church.

[margoharris]

This is your first post? So sorry to offend your virgin eyes. How the hell is what I said abuseive? Okay, I am so tired of having to look at life through the eyes of the Gosh Darn Clintons. Save your sanctamonious poop for some one else.

Oh Yeah, never mind, I'm not sorry.

[woodchips]

Are you reading the same post as the rest of us? Nothing to see here...move along.

[Sallybird]

For the records, Hillary Clinton has broad, deep support among all educational classes and economic classes. I've been around politics for a long time. There are the ambitious, and there are the True Believers. Hillary Clinton wants to win to enact a new era of progressive politics. Obama has swung from the right and from the left. He's been unable to close one single state that can be considered a large electoral treasure trove.

I support Clinton because I have a gut feeling that McCain will clean Obama's clock among the non-democratic electorate, especially out of the, shall we say, heavy "identify" politics that the Barack Obama campaign has foisted on us through misinformation and dirty politics.

REZKO!!!! WRIGHT!!!

[margoharris]

Where have you come from? I hope hillary pays you. You know she has that reputation of stiffing people.

[margoharris]

Sallybirdy
You've been around politics for al long time? "There are the ambitious, and there are the True Believers." Dear God how profound. Now who's who?
Are you saying hillary is a True Believer?? Like in God or what ? It cannot be a progressive agenda because we have seen her join up with the right wing. She has cut a deal with them. Maybe she will promise not to go after Bush' s crimes.
After this she will be lucky to get re-elected to the Senate. When this is over she won't be able to be elected dog catcher.
She is running right of McCain. She won't be his vp, as far as I know.

[egal]

Hmm, what data are you using? Everything I've seen suggests Hillary only has support amongst the uneducated "white trash"; big companies; the extremely wealthy; women who don't want to learn about the issues or the other candidates because they're going to vote a female into office just because she's a woman; and out-of-touch oldsters.

Your second paragraph makes no grammatical sense, and I would be interested in what "dirty politics" you believe Obama has engaged in, when Hillary's the only one playing it dirty. Also, what oscillation has he taken on issues that can come near her changing stances on the war, OPEC, sniper fire, etc.?