Proposed Increase in Gasoline Tax
Beilenson’s recommendation states the obvious; but it seems the obvious cannot be stated too often. The fuel tax has decreased by a factor of three in real terms since the early 1960s. It wasn’t adequate at that time to meet the expenses imposed on society by motorists and by truckers.
As a result of the implicit subsidies, our automobile population has grown out of all proportion to our need. We are now using half the motor fuel on the planet, a third of all the oil.
The congressman tells us that an increased gasoline tax will reduce oil imports and the trade deficit; that it would lower the budget deficit.
In addition, it would effectively correct our traffic congestion, now tending toward gridlock; it would increase transit patronage, permitting us to have a decent public transit system. It would increase household savings, hence investment capital, enabling the economy to take off an another growth cycle. And it would level the playing field on which we are now losing to Japanese and German auto makers.
Why are we so reluctant to use our intelligence?
STANLEY HART
Altadena
Hart is chairman of the Transportation Committee of the Sierra Club--Angeles Chapter .
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