Proposed Increase in Gasoline Tax

Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Los Angeles) proposes raising the gasoline tax by 30 cents a gallon (Letters, March 21). This, he said, would “reduce our $170-billion annual deficit by $30 billion.” Well, so would a 30% tax on food. I don’t see him suggesting that, yet mobility is just as vital to some people as their food budget. Besides, has Beilenson counted the detrimental effects on society and the federal budget his tax would cause?

What about more confinement for those on fixed incomes? What about overall reduced enjoyment of living? What about losses in sales of the larger American cars, which in turn affects a host of secondary industries? Don’t unemployment pay-outs increase our deficit? The increased sales of “more fuel-efficient vehicles” that he brags his tax would generate would mostly fill the coffers of Japan and South Korea.

Beilenson wants to choose what kind of car we drive, eliminate our “unnecessary driving” (What is that , trips to Grandma’s house? Certainly he can’t mean his own speech-making and fund-raising trips) and steeply increase our cost of living. All this to bring down a deficit that he helped create, and is presently adding to, with the 15.6% raise just accepted by members of Congress (in a non-inflationary year). Oh, and of course, he wants to reduce our fuel dependence.

Well, I tell you what. I’d like to reduce my congressional dependence, starting with Anthony C. Beilenson. Maybe his wealthy Beverly Hills constituents can afford his brand of benevolent fascism. The rest of us can only hope that his influence stops short at his own inflated ego.

LAURA G. BROWN

Los Angeles