tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18376180.post114600899981042855..comments2023-12-15T00:28:13.378-08:00Comments on Federalist Society -- University of Washington Chapter: Are High Gas Prices Really Such a Bad Thing?Juvenalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13395140346798161677noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18376180.post-1146677020478799302006-05-03T10:23:00.000-07:002006-05-03T10:23:00.000-07:00I'd rather see technology subsidies. High gas pri...I'd rather see technology subsidies. High gas prices CAN have hugely negative and wide-ranging economic impact (inflation, most worrisome of all). Less government interference, not more, is virtually always the better solution.<BR/><BR/>People are already clammoring for new technologies. While we're being free market people, how about we allow cheap import of ethanol from Brazil, instead of insisting we use less developed and less efficient Iowa corn? But, of course, we don't hold early Presidential primaries in Brazil...Orrin Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10382255042012493580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18376180.post-1146595688813343672006-05-02T11:48:00.000-07:002006-05-02T11:48:00.000-07:00I agree with much of what you say, but would an i...I agree with much of what you say, but would an increased gas tax really be such a bad idea? I agree with you that incentives to develop and use alternate sources of energy and mass transportation will never be strong enough while gas remains cheap. The question is, are gas prices truly high enough now to make the development and use of alternates economically viable and efficient? It does not seem like they are. Gas prices, in inflation adjusted dollars, are still lower than they were for most of the last century. Anecdotal evidence seems to indicate that the recent hike in gas prices has not appreciably altered driving habits. Would an additional tax on gas that forces people to change their driving habits and that would make gas expensive enough that it would be economically viable to develop alternates, be such a bad idea? It probably would have a short term impact on growth and inflation and productivity. Are those negative impacts significant enough to outweigh the tremendous long term benefits that would result from not financing corrupt and despotic Middle Eastern regimes?Juvenalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13395140346798161677noreply@blogger.com