how high Gas prices would you pay if we had Universal Health Coverage?

[LSK]

What if college was free or very cheap?

What if we had much stronger unemployment insurance?

How high of gas prices would you pay for that? $5? $7? $10?

Do you think you would be ok with higher gas prices if we never had to worry about getting sick or had to pay college debts or if unemployment benefits covered your costs to live?

[Cant trust em]

1. I know that this is a hypothetical, but that cost should come from a different tax

I'd pay higher income tax, but social services shouldn't be paid solely by drivers.

[LSK]

2. what really bothers me is we could have done this 5 - 10 years ago

Gas prices would have risen for different reasons, and oil consumption might have gone down because in that time people would have purchased smaller cars.

It just bothers me that we are paying nearly $3 more 10 years later and none of it goes back to benefit our country. It could have.

[global1]

7. Why Not......

if it is the drivers that are driving up the cost of oil that drives up the cost of literally everything else - why not? Roads need to be maintained for the drivers - why should everybody pay for those if they don't drive?

Maybe it would cause drivers to think twice and reduce their driving habits.

What we need is a complete behavioral change in this country - and American's seem to be conditioned that if I pay for something I need to get something in return. I like the idea of higher gas prices to pay for health; education; public trans; etc.

[Cant trust em]

10. Gas taxes should be used for transportation expenses, IMO

I like the example you use. Roads need to be maintained for the drivers, so I don't have a problem with the taxes for road/highway maintenance. You could even designate some of those funds for increasing public transit options.

What I don't agree with is using taxes collected at the pump for social welfare programs like the ones listed in the OP. I'd favor an increase in a different tax for those options.

[The2ndWheel]

12. Everything is driving up the cost of oil

That's includes everything else.

[global1]

3. Are You Suggesting That This Is The Plan.......

get American's used to paying high prices for gas - then - if the price of oil falls back to a reasonably moderate rate - keep the gas prices high in the form of a tax to pay for Universal Health; college; unemployment; etc.

I think American's can buy into that.

Looking at some of the countries in Europe - they pay high prices for gas - but education and health are not a factor. They have less stress and probably more disposable income because of that - even with the high gas prices. Couple that with the small cars that they drive with great mpg ratings and the public transportation - I think that is why Europeans seem happier and more content.

I would even throw in a little more money in the price of a gallon of gas if they made public transportation free or very cheap.

This would be one way to create a major behavioral change in this county. I kinda like it.

[LSK]

6. I didnt quite think of it like that

And I dont think gas prices are rising for that reason. However it could have an unintended result in conditioning Americans to these prices and when/if oil prices fall, this idea might be more reasonable.

[Cant trust em]

8. I think we need to make public transit more available before we worry about the price

Expanding networks should come before lowering the cost, IMO.

[madinmaryland]

4. What does one have to do with the other????

:shrug:

BTW, I'd be happy to have a deduction in my pay to cover universal health insurance, and to know that I would always have health care available to me whether or not I had a job that offered health insurance.

[LSK]

5. because some of the Gas taxes in Europe pay for their healthcare

Sounds like you are describing HR676.

ps:

Donald Rumsfeld is giving the president his daily briefing. He concludes by saying: "Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed."

"OH NO!" the President exclaims. "That's terrible!"

His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands.

Finally, the President looks up and asks, "How many is a brazillion?"

[madinmaryland]

9. I didn't know that gas taxes in Europe paid for healthcare.

I would prefer additional gas taxes go to building up the public transportation infrastructure in order to decrease our dependence on foreign oil.



:hi:

[liberal N proud]

11. The price of gas isn't being driven by taxes

And we are not getting anything in return for the higher price.
Technology is not changing very much.

I don't think you can pay for all those things with a usage tax anyway. Not on something so essential as gas in our cars to get to work and transport our consumables.

[pansypoo53219]

13. universal would be cheaper

than what we have now.