A letter to my Congressman:
Earlier today, President Trump said that he wants to suspend the federal gas tax of roughly 18 cents per gallon in light of high gas prices due to the conflict in the Persian Gulf.
Suspending the gas tax would require an act of Congress. I stand firmly opposed to legislation that repeals, or even temporarily suspends, the gas tax.
Are gas prices high? Absolutely.
Will suspending the gas tax solve high gas prices? Absolutely not.The reason gas prices are high is because Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu launched an illegal war of choice against Iran, who retaliated for the unprovoked attack by shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the global oil supply flows. Lower supply means higher prices, that’s basic Econ 101.
Cutting the gas tax is an artificial band aid solution to high gas prices, and prices will remain high (and will go higher in the weeks to come) regardless of a tax cut because the global oil supply has been so thoroughly curtailed.
If reducing gas prices is a priority for this administration, they need to be serious about diplomacy with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The United States will likely have to pay reparations to rebuild Iran’s infrastructure, and we (the United States and Israel) will also likely have to accede to Iran’s nuclear program. These are small prices to pay to reopen the global economy and get the oil flowing again.
A gas tax suspension is an unserious proposal by an unserious administration. And the world knows it.
I stand opposed to a gas tax cut or suspension.
I asked for a reply. I do not expect one.