They're already far lower here than in either Canada or Europe, even though Canada and several of the European countries are net exporters of petroleum.  Higher taxes would do several things:

1. They would permit us to improve our badly deteriorating transportation infrastructure;

2. They would permit us to rebuild our mass transit system, both in urban areas and between nearby smaller cities, which is going to be necessary to prepare for the day when it simply becomes impossible to use gasoline the way we do;

3. They would encourage people to drive more fuel-efficient vehicles, as they do in the countries where fuel taxes are higher;

4. They would increase the relative attractiveness of public transportation, which would have the effect of increasing its availablity and practicality.

The very LAST thing we need is any kind of a temporary (or permanent) gasoline tax holiday.