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

[rwferr]

What we should be doing is moving or troops in Iraq to protect the oil fields, let the rest of the place go to hell in a handbasket and pump oil and give it free to the American people until the liberation debt is paid. The price of oil would drop like a stone and all those speculators would get handed their asses. Thats a damn energy policy! Lets admit what Iraq was really all about and just do it.

[nk007]

rwferr

You hit the nail on the head! But then again how do we explain to the American people-especially those who lost loved ones- and the world that we invaded Iraq because of its oil? I am with you> I say we come clean and tell the world Bush's true motive for invading Iraq. At the same we take over the Iraq oil fields, lower the price of oil and tell the families of the soldiers/marines and sailors. who have sacrificed so much, that they loved ones' sacrifice was no in vain-it was for providing cheap energy to America and lowering the gas prices. Of course this might not please the oil companies, and the oil producing nations, who are making out like bandits. The Iraq invasion has been so lucrative to Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, Venenzuela, Exxon, Shell, Mobil, etc. The Clinton/McCain gas holiday would do nothing to change that reality> It will only give the illusion of caring and concern for us poor working folks. But the only way to lower prices is for America to completely take over the Iraqi oil fields and begin producing more oil to lower the price of oil and consequently the price of gas. To do that, we have to honestly acknowledge that the United sates is an empire. Stop all this nonsense about Iraqi freedom and Arab democracy.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

... how do we explain to the American people-especially those who lost loved ones- and the world that we invaded Iraq because of its oil?

We tell them the truth and then point them to the people responsible - The Neo-Con Cabal of Bushies and their top tier of minions, foreign & domestic. We extradite them to The Hague, to be tried for Crimes Against Humanity including War Crimes.

If we don't speak the truth about what happened, why it happened, and how it happened, it will keep happening, more frequently, with even more disasterous results.

Truth and Justice - It's the American Way, at least that's what I was taught to believe.

[kate123]

And if the guy who wrote this article is driving over 900 miles a week in order to save $100 over the course of the summer, then he's also spending over $150.00 a week on gas! So to save money, he has to spend money. Yeah, I'd rather just try not to spend so much in gas and maybe my savings over the summer would about to about $20.00. I lose more than that in change in my sofa over the course of three months. Thanks, Hillary.

[PAposter]

That's the point, "kate123". It makes no sense to anybody who knows 3rd grade math.

[JiminNC]

A better idea is to end the drama, vote Obama!

[RobtBrock]

We are not going to have a Gas Tax Holiday. We are not going to have a Windfall Profits Tax. We are not going to drill in ANWR. We are not going to raise the tax on imported oil. We are not going to remove subsidies provided to major oil companies. We are not going to get "tough" with OPEC. We are not going to substantially increase CAFE mileage requirements when the time comes.

We are not going to do anything. Even Hillary's small ploy. We are going to pay the price. Big time.

[PAposter]

"RobBrock", You are so smart, where do you live? She has refused to support a Windfall Tax every chance she's had. Does anybody think the Clintons are not making money on Oil? She said today, "Nobody is upset when people make MILLIONS", it's the American Dream, right? It is a sad state of affairs when a candidate like Hillary Clinton can still get votes. Where the hell are we living?

[jplass]

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

Well done. My applause.

[chefrasta]

I was looking at hardball today and Harold Ford now head of the DLC was actually pushing and supporting Hillary's plan. I was like WTF but then I thought about it the DLC wants Hillary and will try to install her and protect their interest and not whats best for America

[kcinci]

No he wasn't. What he was saying is it makes for good politics and the sheeple eat it up! It "feels" good. This race for her isn't about facts.... it's pure psychology.

[peacehappens]

He said that it was good politics because the impression left is that Hillary fights for working class Americans and Barak is talking principles. The overall feeling is that people will react viscerally and vote for Clinton regardless of how much economic trouble her plan was cause us if it ever went into effect.

They count on people not scratching the surface. So many people depend on the State run media for their news they are probably right. Chris Matthews managed mention Rev Wright umpteen more times - that should seal the deal.

[RealistDem]

I know I watched him too, and just saw the milktoast spineless DLC democrat that he is. He was actually trumpeting it, saying it would pay for lunchmeat and sports uniforms. Well i guess americans dont have to fund the war, just borrow from the chinese and saudis, so we shouldnt have to pay to repair our roads and bridges. Just spend, borrow and give the bill to the next generation. God wasnt it last year when the bridge in Minnesota collapsed that the buzz was about how our infrastructure needs major repairs?

[margoharris]

Harold Ford is a Clinton puppet. You know why people follow them and stick with them and defend them? Because they play dirty hardball. Their "friends" don't really like them they are loyal because the Clintons dig-up dirt on people and blackmail them and threaten them with political genocide. That is where their loyalty comes from,
Google: Cooper universal healthcare hillary clinton
See how she operates.

[Zhonni]

A splendid article indeed!

[SMSSMS]

My two adult kids are in college, so I pay gas for 4 cars which includes 2 gas guzzlers. UNC is 30 miles from my home. For all 4 cars combined, we use approximately 7 gallons per day which we will save us $1.26 per day. When someone says, saving of $30, they need to give details on which car(s) they own, how much they travel to work, groceries etc... and give a proper calculation

[mimundo]

True, but that's only a total $30 - $60 dollars over three months. I'd much rather have $1,000 tax credit that I can use as I choose.

[kcinci]

And you just accept she'd really do it? How? She's not president and it has no support in the house and senate, and certainly not in the white house.

Easy pander for her.... she says she'd do it... but since she's not the boss it's not her fault the congress, senate and white house wouldn't do it. She's got nothing to lose by saying it. If it makes you feel better then vote for her. You deserve her.

[unity08]

How many miles one drives per day or what kind of vehicle is a moot point. It is not going to happen. This is what is so infuriating. Hillary has people believing this and doing the math. Congress will not pass it. George Bush would never sign a tax on oil companys. She knows this.

There will be no Gas Tax Holiday. Lets call it what it is. It is a lie!

[BillyT]

SMSSMS:

you are calculating based on the FALSE ssumption that Big Oil will be considerate of your needs.

Big Oil will RAISE THE PRICE TO PREVIOUS LEVELS and WIPE OUT ANY POTENTIAL "SAVINGS."

There is nothing to stop them. We have shown that we buy gas + tax included. If you et rid of the tax, the new price will be the same because we will buy and because they can raise.

That $30 per summer is average for all drivers. Your "savings" may vary....bu­t you have to buy boat loads more gas than I do to save more than I do. Get it??

You might think you'd save more, but even if you are right (you won't be: Big Oil doesn't CARE for you): no thanks, we are not voting for a president just for what YOU want.

[Squirtapotamus]

I sure hope there are no bridges between UNC and your house. Keep an eye out for potholes, cause if you hit one the damage will eat up your 1.25*4=$5.­00/day*90 days=$450.­00 dollars. Just enough to cover your deductable. And look, you've got 4 times as many chances as the rest of us to drive off a crumbling bridge. Yes, sir. Tell your kids to watch for potholes.

[rwferr]

Well me and my cabin cruiser would save a ton of money this summer!

[metys]

Entertaining article :) unfortunately this race is already not about facts and issues anymore.

[Americanium]

The gas tax holiday does not work period!!! Following the Katrina disaster we saw gas prices run up and the Georgia governor suspended state gas taxes and the prices did not go down.

We had inspectors going around trying to force the prices down. It cannot happen in a free market economy. You cannot tell a service station what price to sell his or her gas for. Hillary is a con artist and anybody who falls for that can come and buy the moon from me.

My Lord Americans have taken on the personality and brain of President Bush. D U M B!!!!!!!!

[DRaymond]

This calculator, and franly anybody who talks about anybody saving any money at all, are based on a flawed assumption­...that the exise tax would be passed on to the consumers. There are two big reasons why this will not happen.

First if consumers are even a little less carefull in their usage as a result then stockpiles would decline, a shortage would appear on the horizon, and traders will bid up the price until supply and demand are again in equilibriu­m....at the current price.

Second, under Hillary's plan, the oil companies would have an extra disincentive because they would be wanting to fill in for Clinton's promised massive tax increase on the oil companies to fund the tax decrease.

So frankly instead of spreading around calculators with flawed assumptions more people should be informing folks that they won't really save anything at all!

[Tommygun264]

It's trouble-makers like you who will be to blame if Exxon fails to set another record for the highest quarterly profits in the history of the world this quarter. You insensitive bastard!

[AllenD]

Friggen elitist. How dare you use facts on us. I want my gas tax holiday so I can buy a Snickers bar!

[drzoon]

SHE COULDN'T EVEN PUMP HER OWN GAS THE OTHER DAY. SHE TOLD THE GUY IN THE TRUCK SHE HASN'T HAD TO... because she has secret service. what?

so i guess that means she hasn't had to pump her own gas since '92??

and before then? when she was the govs wife? did state troopers pump her gas for her then?

please folks... don't fall for this crap? please?

every single thing about her is a lie! every single thing she says... she is playing you!

for once... PLEASE... vote smart. vote Obama?

[Tommygun264]

Most of the mainstream corporate media failed to report that when Hillary "blue collar" Clinton went inside to officiate over paying for the gas - she took the credit card from one of her "people"so she could be seen handing it to the cashier personally - the Senator decided to get herself a cup of coffee, but couldn't figure out how to operate the self-service coffee dispenser and ended up having yet another minion get the coffee for her. However, by all accounts he did lift the cup to her lips without assistance.

[Squirtapotamus]

Isn't it obvious America wants a baffoon for President. Bush was so entertaining, after all. The race is between Hillary and McSame and they are dead even. McSame is in the lead. So scenes like this make the race tighter, don't you think?

[cathye]

Next up on Obama vs Hillary: A Day In the Life of Joe! Which candidate can live the normal mundane life of a US citizen? Pumping gas, checking your oil, pouring your own damn coffee, TIPPING YOUR WAITRESS (Clinton notoriously never tips; Obama left a $10 tip when he bought cake for everyone in a diner yesterday), going to work in a factory job for $10 an hour . . . . balancing your checkbook (we already know Hillary has severe problems with financial math based on her campaign finance statements­.)

I'd lay odds on Obama 10 to 1 for winning this reality TV show.

[JimmyCrackcorn]

Yay! My Gas Tax Holiday Calculator is featured on the Huff Po!

and by one of the Smartest bloggers here to boot!

Thanks Jason

http://www.jabberwonk.com

[atienne]

This needs to be on the network news where all the uninformed get their 'information'!

I guess it's not enough that economists-those silly 'elite' people have been blasting it! I mean, WHAT would they know, right???

Wipe yourself from the sarcasm:)