Why Politicians Do Not Like to Raise Gasoline Taxes

Because politicians who raise gasoline taxes lose elections. See Bill Clinton's biography.

This bit of wisdom was provoked by yet another inane article in the NYT entitled: "A Way to Cut Fuel Consumption That Everyone Likes, Except the Politicians" by an economist, Robert H. Frank.

What does Frank propose? A steep gasoline tax, $2 per gallon. Why? Because it would cause car buyers to buy fuel efficient cars instead of gas guzzlers.

Why not raise the fuel economy standards?
Why not slap a stiff sales tax on gas guzzlers? Like 100% or 200%, or even 1,000%?

I suspect all high income people who recommend a gasoline tax of being hypocrites.