McCain's idiotic gas tax plan loses him a vote
Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:27:13 AM PDT
So, my father is a civil engineer, and he has worked for a small Maine construction firm for many years. This business is family owned by DEDICATED Republicans...Republicans who have embraced such lame GOP ideas as medical savings accounts, etc. My father, a lifelong Democrat (and Hillary supporter, as far as I know), has generally been at odds with his office mates in terms of political views. But finally, they found something they can all agree on...McCain's gas tax relief plan SUCKS FAT ROCKS.
My mother gleefully sent me this email today:
read this. (Dad's company) are in a panic. (Dad's Boss) isn't even voting for John McCain anymore because of this stupid idea. A republican for Obama!!
with this link.
from the article:
Sen. John McCain's proposed gas-tax holiday would put highway construction at risk and result in the layoff of thousands of construction workers, according to a Milwaukee-based trade group. With roads in poor shape after a harsh winter, the McCain plan couldn't come at a worse time, said Dennis Slater, president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, a trade group that represents highway-construction equipment companies.
Under the proposal by the all-but-certain Republican presidential nominee, the 18.4 cents-per-gallon federal gasoline tax would be suspended between Memorial Day and Labor Day, giving cash-strapped motorists a break during the peak driving season.
Both moves would provide relief throughout the American economy, said Jeff Sadosky, a spokesman for McCain's presidential campaign.
In fuel taxes, at least, the proposal would save taxpayers about $9 billion.
But the savings would be short-sighted, according to the equipment manufacturers, since road improvements funded by fuel taxes would be neglected.
I don't need to remind you how BAD this Winter has been on our roads and infrastructure. My father's construction firm didn't think it would have to worry about the recession, since there was plenty of work to do in repairing Winter damage. But then McCain threw a wrench into the works.
Although this article desribes Wisconsin conditions, it can be applied to most of the country:
Under the McCain plan, Wisconsin could lose more than $137 million in federal highway funding, according to Slater.
It would also have a ripple effect on employment. It's estimated that more than 4,770 Wisconsin highway-related jobs would be at risk, he said.
The plan's opponents say the average American might save $28 over the three-month period, or about $2.39 per fill-up. It could backfire by encouraging people to drive more, thus increasing gasoline usage and keeping prices high.
28 bucks. What does that buy? Almost a meal for two at your local Crapplebee's. 8 boxes of cereal. Oh, and more construction layoffs.
Obama is spot on in denouncing this ludicrous plan.
Additional email from my mom I got just now...she sums it up quite nicely.
yeah, it's going to mean huge job loses, crap for roads and bridges, all to get McCain a few more votes, and put a few more bucks into consumers pockets, unless they have ANYTHING to do with highway construction. I hope he falls in the water when a bridge breaks under him. At least construction guys won't need their gas to go to work, just enough to get to the unemployment office. I guess Obama is the only actual SMART person in the race, and the only one with courage enough not to agree with this idiotic, but popular with the masses idea. I'm am genuinely concerned about what this will mean for our family if it gets passed in Congress. I hope their are some Highway and Heavy construction lobbyists lurking around the halls. Governor Baldaci is against it. Not that that will do any good.
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