Virginia Senate Wants to Tax Gas

The Virginia State Senate, dominated by Republicans, is just ate up with dumbness when it comes to taxes. There is no other way to look at a proposal to place a surtax of 6 cents on every gallon of gas. They must view the voters as stupid sheep who will fall for any scheme to exploit the issue of the day.. They have some justification for feeling that way. We did put them there on their promise that they would deal with the transportation issue. The problem is they have only dealt with the rounding up of more money part of it. No plan exists on what the money will be spent on. How on earth are we supposed to believe that increasing the cost of gas is going to help us? Sure they say they are just sticking it to the gas companies, but since when did a company ever not pass taxes on to the consumer?

Even the Governor who is a Democrat thinks the gas tax is a stupid idea. Well he also said he wouldn't veto it so he can't think it's that stupid. As can be expected though the most idiotic statements come from members of both parties.

Gas companies "don't mind sticking it to me and sticking it to every person in Virginia when we come up to that pump, and I don't mind repaying the favor," said Sen. R. Edward Houck (D-Spotsylvania). Majority Leader Walter A. Stosch (R-Henrico) said the tax is aimed directly at "profiteering" by the gasoline giants.

Aim it as you wish or stick it to whomever you want, the reality is the consumer pays in the end.

In most endeavors, a problem is solved by identifying the need, forming a plan to address it then executing that plan. In the Senate of Virginia, they have stated the problem but not defined the need. Where is the plan? What are they proposing to do? Simply stating that they intend to solve the problem is not a plan. Are they going to widen the beltway? Are they going to expand public transportation and if so how? Without defining the solution there is no way of knowing the cost. That has not prevented them from defining the cost. It's as if they have some idea that when they have the pile of money in front of them the solution will magically present itself. The actual outcome will be they will allocate the money and declare the problem dealt with just in time for the next election, but nothing will be settled. Completing the endeavor would require leadership and decisiveness, virtues not easily found in any legislature. But hey, spending all that dough sure looks impressive don't it?


economics Politics taxes Virginia