Bloomberg calls gas tax holiday "dumbest thing I've heard in an awful long time"

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5heT2FH76BMm7KrBdyWrHAEUNGLMQD90D0ABG0

Bloomberg calls gas tax holiday a dumb idea


NEW YORK (AP) — Mayor Michael Bloomberg called a summer-long suspension of the gas tax favored by Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republican John McCain a dumb idea.

The New York mayor, who flirted with the idea of an independent presidential bid, praised Democrat Barack Obama for opposing the plan to suspend the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and 24.2 cent diesel tax during the peak driving months of the summer.

All three candidates covet Bloomberg's endorsement. The mayor has spoken highly of Obama and McCain in introducing the two at recent events in New York.

Speaking to reporters at City Hall, Bloomberg said of the gas tax holiday, "It's about the dumbest thing I've heard in an awful long time, from an economic point of view. We're trying to discourage people from driving and we're trying to end our energy dependence ... and we're trying to have more money to build infrastructure."

He cited those three reasons for opposing the gas tax holiday favored by McCain and Clinton. Obama has said the savings would not be significant for the average individual, and Bloomberg agreed.

"The 30 bucks is not going to change anybody's lifestyle," he said. "The billions of dollars that we would otherwise have in tax revenues can make a big difference as to what kind of a world we leave our children."

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helping the people that waste gas, waste more gas?

How about a tax break to help people buy a car that gets 35 MPG?
How about a tax credit for people that use public transportation?

Didn't you know patriotism levels rise as gas mileage goes down? Hummer and Escalade owners are Level 1 patriots!

Seriously there are lots of good ideas out there and the fact that Hillary chose this one speaks volumes about her lack of commitment to real energy conservation.

Permanent Bushler taxcuts - permanent Bushler commitment in Iraq. McCain could have America begging for food money from the Chinese in just a few years.

Never thought I'd say that. :hide:

Levy a $10,000 surcharge on a new car purchase against anyone who buys a car that doesn't get more than a certain minimum gas mileage, like 25 mpg. If rich people want to drive Hummers (they average 16mpg) or other land yachts, let them pay back to society for the harm they do. Use that tax revenue to help repair the infrastructure or expand public transportation.

They are either "dumb" or being dishonest and know it's a dumb idea, imho.