In article ,
Martin Hotze wrote:

Think taxes. There are people (waaaay too many) that think gas
should be taxed so that it costs a "more reasonable" price at the
pump (i.e., the insane prices in other countries).

hmm. what is insane about it? so you are in need to be conservative about
spending gas (or have a good income) and you are more likely willed to
search for alternatives.

Why is it sane to artificially raise the price of gas? Does the end justify
the means? Conservation and alternative fuels are certainly some to
look forward to, but at what price?

Do you understand how the "solutions" throughout Europe might not
be applicable in parts of the US? For example, while public transportation
could be more efficient than autos in major US cities, it would be much
more challenging to create public transportation in areas where houses
are 20+ miles from the nearest store. Tell me how conservation, alternative
fuels, and public transportation would work in Alaska or in areas of US
farmlands.

Looking at it from a different direction, it could be argued that the
population densities that lead to efficient public transportation are
a symptom of overpopulation. We simply shouldn't have that many
people trying to live in such a small area.

--
Bob Noel
no one likes an educated mule