Just how does Prof. William French conclude that the price of gasoline in the United States is artificially low? As far as I can tell, the price of gasoline in this country is based on the same crude-oil prices paid by the rest of the world. The fact is that other nations` gasoline prices are artificially high due to the high gas taxes in place to support government operations.
Before advocates of higher gas taxes use the high prices in other countries as arguments to gouge us with higher gas taxes, they should remember that many of us in this country live in rural areas and must travel some distance for good jobs. It is not unusual in the central counties of Illinois to drive 50 to 100 miles daily to a job. This is not because of the luxury of suburban living; it is a requirement of the two-career, two-wage-earner household in a region where the available jobs are widely distributed.
Let`s get away from social engineering by tax code. It puts a greater burden on working people, creates economic distortion and completely fails to address the issue.
