CNN

No. Stop building infrastructure in Iraq, just for it to be blown up and invest in US infrastructure instead.

Yes, and let's not stop there – encourage foreign investment and sales of our highways and bridges to the Chinese and United Emarites to fund our war on terror. We MUST stop the terrorists at all cost – they hate us because we are free, or relatively cheap.... literally

Think of it this way, Jack. If we don't do this now and fix the problem, the eventual price hike won't be voluntary, and it won't just be forty cents.

Oil industry profits should be tapped for these improvements to our infrastructure. Under the last "energy bill" (crafted by Cheney and his pals) the oil industry alone was given over $40 Billion in tax breaks. Exxon alone has been netting over $9 billion per quarter. These parasites need to pay their fair share. Pay to play baby!

I thought we were moving towards helping the middle class. I realize that maintaining roads and bridges is indeed important, even suggesting anything that would make gas prices go higher than they are is absurd. You will see pandimonium in the streets. Why don't we make mandates that the gas and oil companys should pay for maintaining road and bridges out of their outlandish profit margins? Those profit margins come from middle class wallets.

Absolutely not! We should not pay a dime extra for gasoline.
The oil companies are already gouging us to death while they
keep getting richer and richer off of us. Why doesn't the government
make them pay for it?

If they raise gas by .40 cents a gal. I won't be needing any roads just a foot path will do.

Jack
I dont mind walking do you ? Thats where we are headed we will all walk then we wont need to fix the highways and bridges they will have to raise the taxes to build sidewalks. We aint gonna win this one.

Hell no! The companies making record profits at the expense of our infrastructure should be forced to pick up the tab instead of dishing out million dollar bonuses to c.e.o.'s who sit on their asses all day. They are proffiting from our nations reliance on oil, and they just sit back and rake in the profits while simultaeneously receiving corporate welfare kick backs, because apparently it's the tax payers burden that we don't have more refinaries, and we have to pick up the bill for all the damage they've left on our roads and highways as well! This is insanity! This is capitalism gone wild! The oil companies have lost the trust of our nations people, and as such should lose their claim to our nations natural resources; which should have never been offered to them in the first place. What's next, we give ownership of the great lakes to Coca-cola? Our nations oil should belong to our nation... Even Hugo Chavez gets that! Now they don't just want to take what they shouldn't have a right to, but they want us to supplement them in their undertaking... MORE than we already have! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! People to wake up and smell the Ron Paul, and get this nation back on the right track!!

Why not, we are already heading for a recession, let's make it worse and tax people more while they are losing their jobs because this country is about to elect a democratic president who will push to raise more taxes to pay for socialized medicine.

Tell you what Jack, why don't we ask the Taliban Spokesman that I keep reading about on CNN. Do you think if this guy keeps talking enough they will finally arrest him for being a terrorist?

If we take back the grants Big Oil wrote for itself in the "Energy Bill" produced with Cheney in the back room, would we need to raise the taxes?

no but i would like to see an accounting of the gas tax to reveal where it has gone, it sure has not been on the roads. maybe it has gone to the 5 employees standing around on the shoulder of the road driving 5 trucks that set there an idle all day. maybe letting road repair and construction go to open bids would save lots of money and get rid of all state employees saving the taxpayers money.

I can agree we need to spend $225 a billion a year for infrastructure. I can believe it's increases transparency to relate receipts to expenses. Now tell me where you are going to cut $450 billion a year .... or just be quiet.

This wouldn't include privately owned infrastructue special interests are trying to stiff the taxpayer for would it? This govt would never do that to the taxpayer.

We pay tolls when we travel on toll roads – yet I seldom see the improvements that are promised with our toll money.

What makes me think 40 cents a gallon tax would be used to repair our infrastructure? 30 cents of that tax will end up in some fat cats pocket.

Why not develop a public works program, hire the unemployed, put them to work fixing the roads. And what the hell, raise the taxes on alcohol and cigarettes – use that money to fund the program. The drinkers and smokers are used to paying higher taxes.

A smoker and drinker,
Kevin

Jack, we do all these things fixing bridges,roads etc by bringing back our troops immediately thus having the billions necessary to make these improvements!

There is already a fuel tax out there. It's the Wallop-Breaux Fuel tax that is dedicated to highways and boating that can be used for rebuilding the highways and bridges if they really want to.
Can always repeal that tax and lower gasoline prices to.
Oh, sorry, they can't lower the tax on gas, that would help the people here in the USA, and we know congress wouldn't do that. Help the voters? Oh My!

OK, JUST REPEAL ALL OF THE TAXES WE PAY NOW FOR UPKEEP ON ROADS THAT OUR GOVERNMENT SQUANDERS SO BADLY. 50 CENTS/GAL IS A LOT BETTER THAN WHAT WE ARE PAYING NOW. DOESN'T MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY YOU GIVE THE GOVERNMENT, THE MONEY DISAPPEARS AND THE JOBS DON'T GET DONE.

Jack, Don't raise it another nickle in Pennsylvania!!! No amount of money is enough to fix these roads!!! I'd love to know where our transportation funds went!

That's how we Pennsylvanians know we're almost home – that immediate pothole when you come over the bridge from Jersey or any other surrounding state. I'm thinking Pennsylvania must be number one in those hubcap sales you see on the side of the road.

So, no raise in gas prices for us – we pay it in alignments!

Jack, Why can't we just borrow the money from China? If they'll lend us billions for Iraq I'm sure they would lend us billions to improve our neglected infrastructure!

We all know that we have to do something about our highways infrastructure. We also know that high gas prices are here to stay. The people and the companies who use our highways should pay for the repairs to them. At least this way we will know that some of the high cost of gas is being put back into our own country. I feel if you can afford to drive a $40,000 and up gas guzzler you should not have no problem paying for gas. If you do then you need to buy a vehicle that gets good gas mileage. This tax also can help produce alternative fuels and high gas mileage vehicles faster.

I should think this do nothing Congress would gladly give up their $4,000 raise they just voted in. In fact their pay should be structured on an hourly wage with no overtime. Right now they are worth minimum Wage, at best! People can't afford gas now much less pay an additional tax on it. Stop the war, borrow more money from China and Japan, do something worthwhile for a change.

This administration, congress and our representatives can take back the funds we have given the oil companies and repeal all the PORK spending they have passed in the past 2 years and we should have enough to fix all the roads and reduce our depth. The middle cannot handle another hike in anything; not gas, groceries or anything. I think it is time to CUT OFF all spending. If you cannot pay for it you don't get it.

Hell no, we won't need any roads because no one can afford to buy gas, if the idiots that are suppose to inspect our bridges and roads would do their job as they are being built they just might last a little longer.

No Jack. Why should those with a lower income suffer? The proposed gas price hike should be in a form of income taxes directed at the wealthy. It is about time those with money should, be out of Bush's umbrella and pay for the improvements to our country. I would suggest that our elected officials bear the brunt of the costs but for all the pay hikes they vote for themselves, I am sure they will find ways to vote to get out of such a responsibility.

I think we should just be charged .20 cents extra for gas and then have the oil company's pay the other half. Maybe the Saudi King could kick in a few more billion.

I can see where this is going. Along with turning publicly financed highways into private for-profit tollroads, raising fuel taxes and making gas prices unaffordable for us working slobs, the wealthy will insure that the'll have plenty of gas to fuel their giant SUVs and Hummers well into this century while the rest of us will walk.
I'd say we should take a lesson from Hugo Chavez down in Venezuela. Since we're already spending trillions of our tax dollars to secure oil supplies all around the world, let's nationalize our oil companies, take the obscene oil company profits out of the equation to lower the price of gas and use the nationalized income for maintainance and to start building public transportation.

Another tax swipe at the middle class while we spend billions on an unneeded war. Our founding fathers would be so proud.

Now that Bush is reinstalling the Bathists everything is back to square one. Whereas we were Iraq's biggest customer for oil, won't things ease up once Iraqi oil production is back on line. They wouldn't hold the invasion against us would they?

NO NO NO,
we have been paying Federal and state gasoline taxes for years and
our elected fools have been raiding the funds for years.
We can cut their wages to repay thoses funds and that would help.
Melvin
Colorado

Our income tax goes for the war now we need more money at home.It is unbelievable how many sheep we have in this country. The goverment mentions another tax and these people hand them their wallet.

Jack, of course we need the new tax. And if you believe that, Ted Stevens has a great bridge to sell you.

You want to drive that gas guzzlier??? Then Pay For The Privilege!!!!

I thought that’s what we were paying gasoline taxes for all these years, not to mention tolls and other highway taxes. Sounds like the government wants to double dip and double bill again.

Ahhh! I got it. The idea is to price gasoline so high that no one can afford to drive, then the government doesn’t have to do anything, just like they always do.

You know Jack, America would be alot better off with-out Congress. Instead of raising more taxes if they would stop with all their pet projects, or PORK spending to enable them to keep being elected, and spend the money more wisely we wouldn't even need to have this conversation. But as we see every election cycle, the America people keep right on electing these morons to Congress and thinking that it's not my Congressman or Senator. Well,let me tell you America, it is and they all need to be fired. We have another chance this November so please wake up America and lets send these crooks home where they belong.

EGADS, NO!!! THE PETROLEUM COMPANIES AND ENERGY PROVIDERS ARE MAKING BILLIONS OF MONEY EACH QUARTER.

HOW IN THE WORLD DID THIS COUNTRY GET SO MIXED UP???

NO ONE WILL HELP A SMALL COMPANY WHEN NEEDING TO INVEST IN BIGGER PLANT OR BUSINESS. WHY SHOULD WE PAY, VIA A GAS TAX INCREASE, TO HELP THEM MAKE THE OIL COMPANIES RAKE IN MORE BILLIONS?

SOMEONE HAS GOT TO GET THE BIG INTERESTS OUT OF WASHINGTON'S BACK POCKETS. THEY ARE ROBBING THE REST OF THE COUNTRY DRY.

SORRY, NOT IN A GOOD MOOD. WE HAVE A YEAR OF BUSH LEFT. HOW DISCOURAGING!!!

no tax raise, pay for the repairs to our infrastructure with the foriegn aide money you send to countries that hate us. dah!

b.g. ,mo.

Jack
Of course not! Do you really think that this money will go for infrastructure? Once Congress smells it, it will be siphoned back to the same old pet projects that keep getting these jokers reelected.

The only way mass transit will work is to have less roads. Make it better to take mass transit.

Jack, I'm ok with a 40 cent hike for road improvements over the next five years if it will help reduce poor-road rage. Too many times have I hit a pothole that wrecks my front-end alignment and I have to go to the so-called experts and pay money I don't want to spend. If this helps I'm all for it.

If they stopped spending gas tax money on things like the katy trail and other non related crap ,the highways would be better!!!

No additional tax on gas. We do need the improvements and repairs to the nation's infrastructure but they should be paid from the existing general tax revenues. This of course would require an offsetting reduction in other spending. To all politicians, if you can’t decide what spending to reduce or eliminate just consider you will be responsible for the dead when the next bridge falls.

We need to REPEAL ALL PORK SPENDING, CONGRESSIONAL RAISES AND END THIS F*&%ING WAR. When we do that we will have more then enough to pay for most, if not all of the infrastructure problems. We're are the congress that campaigned " we will gove you change and hold congress accountiable"? I quess they are out at the water fountian with the other party boasting about how they are screwing us all......

No. It should come from the money saved by cutting out Corporate Subsidies.
That should get the ball rolling.

You know Jack, if Warren Buffett is paying 18% in taxes and his receiptionist is paying 33%, it doesn't take rocket science to figure out how to get the money without taxing gasoline. Bush's last tax plan helped his rich contributors, and screwed the rest of us. That's where I'd start.

That's just what our hurting economy needs, another tax-hike to take more dollars out circulation.

And, what would that help? All the middle and lower class based citizens of this great nation would be even more strapped then they already are. I've got an idea, bring back the Windfall Profits tax. The big oil companies can pay for it, since they are the ones that want us to keep driving on the fuel they provide. Why do they need close to $100 Billion dollars for anyway, other than to line the pockets of people who don't really need it.

Lets see here, we put additional tax on gas, then we give away 30 billion, with 20 billion of it ticketed for arms, to one of the biggest suppliers of oil in the world, Saudi Arabia. Any way you say it, it's ARMS FOR OIl FOR TAX DOLLARS.. Maybe you like paying extra tax on oil in order to give the tax money to OPEC countries but my view is not nearly as conciliatory. #$%& 'em, and where's that horse too.

Absolutely NOT! Gas tax increases have been occurring for years with little tangible results. If this corrupt administration would end the war in Iraq, we could redirect the wasted billions toward an improved infrastructure. But instead "W" and his "Do Nothing II" Congress keep bleeding this country dry and the oil companies keep getting richer and richer. What a disgrace!

JacK>

Hell No! We can't trust Washington not to spend increased gas taxes on more "Bridges to Nowhere". Remember, The Social Security taxes are supposed to be reserved for future benefits. Cut the pork and there will be funds to repair our roads.

One other way to raise some revenue might be get the contractors who are building numerous homes and the developers as well to be required to expand some of the roads going to their developments or tax them per home. Another idea is to stop "giving" our money to these other countries who really don't like us anyway and use it back home where it will do more good. I use to hear take care of home first before you give away. What ever happened to that idea.

No, a 40 cent per galleon tax on gas is not the way to go any more. Everytime a roads deal goes in a tax hike in gasoline taxes is proposed. Does anything ever get built and paid for, gasoline taxes never seem to get reduced. Let's start wasting tax dollars at home rather than that bottomless pit called Iraq and for gods sake forget permitting those companies holding contracts in Iraq from obtaining contacts here in America, I want to see results for my money. By the way was the Iraqi invasion not suppose to turn a profit for us and actually pay for its self or did that go the same route as the WMD that Saddam had pointed at the rest of the world.

No, Jack, we're already being nickel and dimed too death and I'm sick of it! I think we're being gouged by the companies that build our infrastructure. I mean really, when was the last time any project anywhere was built on budget? We just had a new interchange built here in my community and it ended up costing twice as much as originally budgeted. This wasn't the first time either, seems every project cost more than we're told it will. How about big penalties for companies who can't build on time and on budget, period.

i'll only support this if it will actually be used for the purpose it is being collected for. the problem is that more and more taxes are being levied against people, and the money never really goes to what it's suppose to be used for. let these shifty politicians prove to everyone first that this money will actually be used for roads, then they may get some support from the people.

Why not? But this would be the only "pork barrel" spending allowed. This way each congressman would have to submit projects that would actually do some good for their community and the country. ( We better do it before China recalls their loans.)

Absolutely not! The war in Iraq should be ended immediately and the resources being wasted there applied to the problems in this country.
Billions of dollars are currently being squandered by our government which could be redirected into useful endeavors. There is no real need for more funds just use what is already available in more productive ways.

Its similar (stupid), repeal Bush's taxcuts, then get rid of Bush & Chaney.

So let me get this straight. We get taxed to maintain our infrastructure already, but because of government ineptness, we should be forced to spend more for an already extremely high gasoline tax? Absolutely not. Sounds to me like we need to get some sane individuals working in Washington again.

I'm in college now and don't have a car but after graduation in a few years I probably while get one. I'm going to get an electric one because it is more energy efficient and the energy is much cheaper. So I say let's raise it to a dollar maybe that way we will have less trucks on the roads with cargo going by rail instead. By the way what happened to the liter, you know the thing used around the world to measure gasoline?

NO . . .get rid of this stupid war and there will be more than enough money to take care of the country's infrastructure, health care, social security and anything else that needs to be fixed.
I might add that if they would repeal the tax credit the rich get, that would put even more in the the federal coffers.

No absolutely not. We are already paying these taxes and for 30 yearsbeen paying them to fix thei roads. Find that money or cut their pay and benefits to pay for it. We have voted time and time again to raise gas tax to fix roads. They blew it on something else. It all has to stop. How about we charge Iraq to fix our roads say for the next 40 years in free oil. Then that revenue can pay for roads and health care. They owe us. Dang stupid politicians. No one making more than $50,000 a year should be able to run for office. Then lets see how well and qualified people really run this country!@!

Jack, ride a bike, its really not that bad. instead of the 40 cent tax they could increase the grease tax which as i understand it is non-exsistant.

The problems with the Nations Infrastructure have been known about for years. Congresses solution to those problems was to build roads and bridges to no where and wasting money on any number of worthless causes I can't even start to mention in the time you allow to read theses posts. Now all of a sudden when Americans can not afford the price of gas already because of the last 6 years of piss poor decisions congress made like going to war in Iraq, and yes they approved that war and continue to fund it. Now higher prices of gasoline because of these morons decision to fund highway repairs at a cost of 40 cents per gallon tax. Can you say mutiny and lynch mob and government overthrow at the hands of the people?
Enough is Enough already. Time to revolt!

NO! Don't raise tax. Cut spending. In fact, cut taxes too.

This is ridiculous. I thought Congress was supposed to be looking out for us, not trying to maximize profits. Ron Paul would veto the hell out of this.

Oh course we should raise the gas tax. Nobody is going to put the time in to find an alternative if gas is still affordable. This is what we need!

I would rather pay 40 cents more and see some infrastructure improvement, than worry about a bridge collapsing underneath my car.

Hey Jack, how about that half of that money goes to researching alternative fuels? The bridges aren't the biggest problem we have.

We could just stop using federal funds to support overseas women who want to have abortions, the war in Iraq, and so on...

Absolutely not, I completely agree that this money would little or no effect on repairs.

I think that we already have the tax! All they need to do is use it.

Gas tax? What in the world is wrong with this country?

The ECONOMY needs money.

I can solve the economy problem and am wondering why no one else sees it as simple as I do.

This country needs a new market one that the US is very good at.

Well, what products do Americans export the most? I am not an expert but I see Coke Budweiser and Tobacco everywhere around the world.

We sell chemical mood enhancers around the world at superior product quality and for cheaper cost than anyone else in the world. We need to tap into the new market that marajuana could offer our farmers and this country.

We need a president that will step outside the box take a stand and recognize this opportunity to bring the US back to a top exporter, create jobs, help farmers and reinvigorate the economy.

There is a demand for this product. A product that is safer than alcohol and all natural with little need for addities or preservatives. You can grow it again and again fairly quickly like tobacco.

We sell caffiene, nicotine and alcohol all which have pluses and minuses, marajuana has them too and we have the best farmland in the world. We could be the top suppliers in the world on a global scale.

Imagine the possibilities if the tobacco industry got involved and started this market.

This country would be out of recession and a huge boost to the economy would occur and desperately needed jobs would be instantly created.

Guaranteed.

What are the reasons that these politicians deny this market that we could tap into?

We would have such a boost to the econmy we could fund universal healthcare like they have in every other civilized country.

This country was founded by people with a pioneering spirit. We need a pioneering president to break new ground open new markets and rejuvenate this country and get us to love it and believe in it once again.

Strengthing the home and heartland especially USA farmers would make this country strong.

No more taxes..Please, God please...no more taxes.

Hell no! What are the taxes we all pay (except illegals) going for? Apparently not towards transportation!

Jack giving Illegal Aliens any services that we tax paying American Citizens are paying for is un fair to the Citizens, also the Illegals go to the hospital for no good reason, why should we pay for any medical help unless someone is dying, my daughter can't get free medical care, by the way the mexicans sent home 65 BILLION TAX FREE DOLLARS last yr. to mexico. Why arn't they taxed like we are?????

absolutely

Ron Paul has it right about this tax:

“This is a great example of how out of touch big government and big business are with the American people,” Paul said. “With gas at three dollars a gallon and a slowing economy, the last thing we need is a tax increase to be paid by Americans who can least afford it.”

Ron Paul has never voted to increase taxes, and this is more proof, he was one of 9 voters in the house against the bill.

Nowhere in the Constitution is it allowed for the federal government to collect taxes to "improve infrastructure." As much as it is needed, Mr. Cafferty, shouldn't this be the responsibility of states or localities that allowed their roads to go bad? The only exception, of course, would be federally-maintained highways.

Makes sense to me that those who use the roads should pay for their upkeep. Our gas costs are the lowest of any developed country anyway.

Yes. It absolutely should, but the problem is that is not what it will be used for. What was our country founded on? Oh that's right, taxation without representation! At least it seems like it these days.

Your can't reward American business by punishing American consumers. This tax is such a bad idea, because it takes the power away from the American people. Please God, let American bureaucrats do something good for out people.

Whether or not its a good idea or not is beside the point – taxes aren't going to be raised on gas in the forseable future. The Republicans are too invested in keeping our taxes low and our deficits high for this to mater much, and the Democrats can't raise gas taxes without cashing in on the cliches that have been built around them. Meanwhile, our roads and bridges suffer.

Ain't that America?

We pay enough for gasoline. Ever visited I-75 in Georgia? The Georgia DoT was supposed to have expanded the interstate to six lanes by the end of the '96 olympics. It still isn't finished and has caused hundreds of deaths due to the terrible roadways. We should be taking a look at how our Department of Transportation is run, not hike up taxes.

what next? might be a good idea to use the money the welfare and education system would save by ridding this country of illegal immigrants, to fix the highways

I'd be more than happy to pay more for gas if our government would take the lead in ending the use of it. Infrastructure is very important, but the end of fossil fuels is far more important. What difference will infrastructure make without air we can breathe?

Undoubtably, the gas tax will affect people economically, and it is obvious that there needs to be more accountability within our congress. Yet, our nation needs to seek alternatives to the automobile, and higher gas prices will only lead to more incentives to find these alternatives. Better roads equal better gas mileage, and higher gas prices lead to greener choices. This is a great decision.

How about cutting the huge tax breaks for oil companys making record profits and applying those lost revenues to our failing national infrastructure?

Allan Williams, Lexington, KY

Absolutely NOT! High gas prices are already hurting me and my family. The government needs to find a way to reduce the cost of gas not add to the pain at the pump! I cannot believe some moron suggested that. What do they do with the taxes and tolls we already pay?

Jack,

Enough is enough – haven't they piled enough on the American Consumers at the Pump? This is the type of thing that will surely send America into a further recession tailspin – since we are already in one. I can't help but still blame big oil and the Bush Administration – after all gas prices were at $27/barrell before he falsified evidence and went after Saddam...

Give us a BREAK!

Mike

this is rediculous. why should we give more money to the Bush administration to steal.

We pay lots of taxes and tolls for roads on both the state and federal level but still our infrastructure is crumbling. Now they want to turn over some roads to private corporations. I say let it crumble....isn't that why everybody drives SUVs?

NO there should NOT be a hike in the tax on gasoline! It's already to the point where I'm struggling to get back and forth to work and school! I think I'm working just to fill my gas tank, these days!

Why not impose tolls on those roads that need major upgrades? Should it not be the people who USE the road, who help pay for it? Why should I have to pay for a highway in Minnesota or California when I'll never use it?

Instead of placing burdens on a suffering economy and taxpayer, why not place such a tax on the companies that are recording through-the-roof profits each quarter. It seems that such a tax would place less of a strain on those of us who are trying to survive while paying 3 dollars a gallon.

morally, i say no. as a true libertarian i think that the government's involvement in transportation is a stupid idea, and the roads would be better maintained if private companies owned them. That way, the road companies would try to make their road the best (in whatever way that may be) and there would be our problem.

However, the Constitution does say the government is to provide transportation. So legally, I guess this is a legitimate tax...but I still say no. So what if there's a few bumps on Highway 15. At least then I wouldn't be paying $10 to go 3 miles.

Hell no! Why should we subsidize even MORE corruption in our government? I will not vote for any candidate who even considers supporting this new ripoff.

Jack, that isn't all. They changed the way they tax. Now it will be my the miles you drive not the gas you burn. Gee, does that mean SUV's get a tax break? You can't make this stuff up can you?

My God, I'm a 24 year old college student, working two jobs as it is to pay for school and gas. If gas gets any higher, I'm going to have to get a third job just to get to work!

What we should raise is our collective boot to the butt of D.C.

No... Im tired of seeing US money get put into Iraq and other countries when we have soo many problems here. It just and excuse for more war money and less for our roads and infrastructure.

Dear Jack,

We are well overdue with a gas tax hike. It's been a long, long time coming. A gas tax would help re-build our infrastructure and do something great for our country instead of all our tax money going over to Iraq to rebuild their nation. It's time for the U.S. to start taking care of itself for once!

Rob Balmes
Tampa, Florida

Just a second Jack, I think I have a surprised look in my pocket. ...right, the prez clone in Tx. Gov. Perry already has us paying tolls on roads built with our tax money.

I like your sense of outrage. However, it is a playbook for disaster in America to object to taxes. We need to voice outrage if the taxes raised are misused for bridges to nowhere or to subsidize sports stadiums which enrich some disproportionately.

I can't believe this. Are we not paying enough for gas now? How about taxing the corporations that have made record profits due to the surge in the cost of gas? If the Democrats or Republicans really care about the Middle class in this country, both need to come together and kill this plan before its too late.

Absolutely, as long as it only goes to roads and we reduce the taxes going to other things. So many additional taxes that are supposedly going to roads are appropriated elsewhere. and it is outrageous. The gas tax is the closest thing we have to a user tax and we should do everything we can to preserve one of America's few "fair" taxes.

40 cents a gallon gas tax to fix our roads and bridges? I think not. I vote we pull out of the BS war in Iraq and that would free up about 300 plus million per day to fix our roads and bridges. That should take of the problems here, which I do care about and get us out of Iraq, which I could care less about.

Jack, if we quit giving Congress $4,100 a year raises, and cut the pork from the budget, we wouldn't need to raise taxes. We might also cut the size of Congress in half. Just think, half the expense, half the stupidy, and we would still be represented as mush as now.......we aint.

Although I am a retired person, I believe a tax hike on gasoline is necessary if we are to dig ourselves out of the infrastructure mess. A gas tax hike just might wake up the auto builders and get us vehicles that will get 40 MPG!

NO! Use National Sales Tax..

our tax money is going to be spent reconstructing Iraqi roads and bridges before we get around to fixing our own......What a mess this country has gotten itself into.

Will this mean that the pot hole out front will finally be fixed?

What are they trying to do, bankrupt the middle class?
What they need to start doing is rolling back those tax savings for the super-rich.
Wake up America

The answer is a resounding NO! How about we stop paying the oil companies huge subsidies, and instead, funnel them to our infrastructure. While we're rebuilding roads and bridges, how about beefing up the nation's power supplies and telecommunications? It is obvious that the oil companies are far from needing them, what with the record profits they rack up quarter after quarter...

When is the pain going to stop. We the poeple should vote on big things like this because Washington dose not care about the hard working people in this great United Sates. I know that we are being taxed to death too much now.

Of course we need a gas tax hike to pay for infrastructure improvements. You get what you pay for!!!!!! The only problem is someone will find a way to shuffle the money elsewhere to pay for pork. It's a catch 22.

Cafferty – once again. The libs in Congress are doing this. Why does NYS pay $.60 a gal already? CNN = the no accountability channel. But, Caffery. the dog beater managed to throw in the war in Iraq during yet another genius segment. Jack, take Wolf on the short bus to someplace called Moonbat Hill.

What in heck are they thinking about, It certainly is not about the pocket book of this nation, (the middle class). They have taken the monies that have been designated for highways and infrastructure and assigned it to support education instead. All they seem to think of to fix a problem, in this case is to throw money at it. Hasn't worked has it? We are already taxed far in excess of what we can afford. It is about time to "clean house" in the Executive offices and our Legislature. Boy we really need a "change".

No way! We could EASILY fix EVERY road and highway in the country if we just took back Congress' self-awarded annual pay hikes, million-dollar retirements, free postage and other benefits they give themselves at OUR expense while doing nothing FOR us. They could start by closing the Congressional cafeterias and brown bagging it with peanut butter sandwiches like the REST of America does!!!

No, don’t tax the person buying gas at the pump, tax the oil and gas companies who have been making record profits for years.

One way to save money at the pump is to know which station has the cheapest gas when you need to fill up. I use a service called FreeMobileFuelFinder and save up to $8.00 per fill up. I call a toll free number from my cell phone and they send me a text message with the station that has the cheapest gas in my area.

Marina Cowboy

No, don’t tax the person buying gas at the pump, tax the oil and gas companies who have been making record profits for years. We need to pay less at the pump not pay more in taxes.
One way to save money at the pump is to know which station has the cheapest gas when you need to fill up. I use a service called FreeMobileFuelFinder.com and save up to $8.00 per fill up. I call a toll free number and get a text message with the station that has the cheapest gas in my area.

So they want to raise the gas tax again huh? I think Congress ought to do hearings and try to find out where the current tax on gas is and where that money is going. Oh I see...they won't do that because they know where the current tax on gas is going. Not for the infrastructure of the U.S. but for their "EARMARKS". Fire the bastards in Washington, D.C. Earmark this Congress!

Do we have a guarantee that the money will be used for road improvements and a way to enforce it on the government? The government is already making life more and more difficult for those of us who travel, (unless you are an illegal alien), and has very little or no respect for those of us who travel as it is. I don't mind paying my fair share of taxes for a good highway system to travel on, but nothing else the government does is doing what it's supposed to do. How do we know and how do we force it on the government to do what it's supposed to do?

If we get rid of a lot of other worthless and wastefull things in the government we might find that we can do this without a tax increase on our fuel, if not, then I don't mind paying a bit more for the freedom of travel on good highways as long as the money is going where it's suppose to.

If the price of gas gets much higher we won't need any roads.

Let them raise it!! We can't stop them anyway...looks like we better start breeding more horses to ride and park the dang cars...as my grandma used to say, " We will all be riding shank's mare"...

Gas prices should be fixed at $3.00 a gallon regular and let the gas companies pay for the infrastructure out of their grotesque profit. With regard to George Bush's visit to the Middle East , a friend of mine thinks it to outsource the presidential library–might be a good idea.

I've been waiting to see what would make the American public stop being so appethetic and this might be it.

BTW–with the hybrids. electric and hydrogen cars of the future, the REVENUE from gas taxes would be expected to go down. The crunch on the government for the lost taxes is substantial, so it would only make sense to raise taxes now. The trouble remains that the government already has this money spent, either in Iraq or on social security issues. A truthful politician is one who is not talking, but they all talk.

Repeal the bush tax cuts and take all the ill gotten gains from haliburton and that should help ease the burden a little.

You can add the ill gotten gains that Mrs. ken lay kept from her husband's crimes too. Hell, let's take all people's ill gotten gains to put into that Infrastructure Account.

And, as mentioned in earlier posts, accounting is desperately needed and I believe people need to be fired. Needless to say, incompetence has run amuck in our Government.

There are so many areas in Government that waste so much money, only a little cleaning of the house is all that is really necessary.

I do not believe we need to raise the gas tax or any tax. Just trimming the fat that is weighing us down will suffice quite nice...

According to OPEC, in the period 2002 – 2006 the G7 economies paid OPEC 2,045 billion while collecting 2,310 billion in taxes on the same oil.

A higher gas tax??? &^%%^$*%*(^^*#&&*^&*||||| are you kidding me? Washington is definatley broken! People need to wake up to the fact that this super-massive government is in serious financial trouble, and this middle-class tax payer has had enough.

HELL NO. If we would get out of Iraq we could use some of the money that we are wasting over there for our infastructure, healthcare, public schools and have some left over. What are they doing with the gas tax we are now paying?

I would love to see gas prices rise to $10.00 a gallon. We could pay off the national debt!

Our elected officials are like bloodsuckers trying to suck everything they can from the middle class.

The same elected officials voted for the war in Iraq without letting the people vote on it and now they want the people to fight the war for them while they are safe and cozy. The same people have ignored our infrastructure and illegal alien problems as well as numerous other problems in this country and are solely to blame for the mess. They should be the one's paying for their mess.

Lower their salary and benefits to that of the average middle class American and use the extra money on the infrastracture. In the meantime they can get a real feel of how the majority of people live in this great country.

They all seem to think they know what it is like for middle class American's. Let them live the middle class dream for a change. That is the "change" we need in America.

Incumbents made the mess or ignored it. Therefore, all incumbents should be voted out of office.

Surely the role of Government should to represent the people for projects that are for the common good. Taxation is the way that these projects are achieved. I have no problem with taxation for securing the infrastructure of this country so long as the money collected is not wasted through unnecessary pork barrel spending, supporting the military-industrial complex – and so long as the taxes are taken mainly from those who have benefitted the most from living in this country. Holes in the roads would be less important perhaps if this country invested in public transportation such as light rail – and this would also help reduce consumption of foreign oil.

We have experienced one of the most disasterous periods of failed leadership in this country ever. Perhaps it is time for the United States to consider becomming one Nation – The Unite State, where everyone pays identical taxes and support for local disasters are insured across the nation as a whole. We could certainly save significantly by reducing the levels of government and sources of taxation.

Excuse me, but this is total crap! This money will not be used for any significant improvements to infrastructure. Maybe for a few just to say "we" did. This is as bad as the lie we are being told with regards to conserving fuel and oil. How can any sane person actually believe that if we all start driving hybrids that the price of gasoline will fall because of "decreased" consumption. Ever heard of OPEC? Ever heard the words "decreased production." Does anyone really think that OPEC will allow prices to fall just because we decrease demand? The only thing these blood sucking demons will do is decrease their production to keep prices where they want them–no matter how many people struggle as a result of. The only way out now is for the U.S. to open up the oil shale fields for production and produce our own oil (and pray that American companies will do the right thing price it fairly), or for alternative fuels to be produced by companies with NO ties to the oil and gas companies. I get sick to my stomach every time I see the BP commercial where they brag about being not just an oil company, but a company that is investing in alternative fuels. That is just what we need. An oil company with a monopoly on the alternative fuel market. I just hope I live to see the day when the oil companies are irrelevant. To the oil companies: The people will remember your greedy, selfish, behavior, and the way you all let us down during difficult times by milking us for every dime in our pockets. To the politicians: The people will remember YOU and your party at the next election every time you "legally" rob us of our hard-earned money by raising taxes while continuing to misuse the money already taken out of our paychecks. I am sorry, but this is just too much to swallow quietly.

Jack when will you people in the media start prporting and giving equal time and exposure to all the candidates . The more I listen to and watch the media . I feel you people are trying to pick and elect your choice as president . Don't get me wrong . I'M not pointing you or CNN as the only ones doing it . I'M just asking you people to commit on the problem . We all lose if I'M not just paronoid .

Jack, Is it true, reporters on CNN are no longer allowed to mention Ron Paul's name??? I know you and Wolf have always treated him fairly, but I don't believe John King has EVER mentioned his name...EVER, and I noticed this weekend, having CNN on 24 hours a day, that Ron Pauls name was never mentioned once.......I can see FOX not ever mentioning his name, but please tell me, you guy's haven't started this habit too. thanks

Hello Jack,
An idea came up in a recent conversation here in South Carolina that was an eye opener.
If Clinton wins the democratic nomination, she could possibly nominate Bill to
run as vice-president.
If Obama wins, he could nominate his wife to run as vice-president.
I thought it was a joke of a statement, but they both have clean, strong
backgrounds that could make it possible. I understand there is no past precedent
to keep this from happening. I hope we are uninformed on the constitutional laws
because when you think about the reality of it happening,this could be traumatizing to the nation.
But***Do you suppose they could, as a team, accomplish more?
I enjoy your straight forward, matter of fact opinions.
It kicks off interesting debates here, when the opportunity arises.
Thanks for calling hot air and pure bull what it is!

Worried about gas prices – nobody seems to remember last May when oil was approx $75 a barrel that gas prices were actually higher than they are now with oil around $95 a barrel but of course big business wasn't reaping profits from us – I mean the government told us they weren't. Make not just oil companies but all those greedy companies pay towards making themselves richer.

If we stopped supporting Israel and Pakistan with American tax dollars we could fix America"s infrastucture. If we stopped waging war in Iraq we could spend those dollars to feed and house our growing homeless population.

Mr. Cafferty,

Taxing gas is not going to fix the problem, they'll just waste the money on a losing effort in the war in Iraq. The REAL fix, comes from TAXING OIL COMPANY PROFITS!!!!!! They are fleecing BILLIONS in profits at the expense of 98% of Americans (those not making the profits). If their profits were to be taxed, they'd drop prices IMMEDIATELY!

Simple....

No it should be $1. The only way that we will ever achieve energy independnce is to make gasoline more competative with other fuels. We might give truckers a break on deisel..

JOe in Delware

(This is not a duplicate comment. Don't use my full name – thanks)

Jack, I'm swimming against the tide of this blog, but here goes. I live on a county maintained road which is resurfaced or repaired by 50% county/50% state funds. I drive to my inlaws house on state roads (one one-mile long truss bridge, and several shorter bridges)(90% state funding, 10% fed), an Interstate (90% Fed funding and 10% State). The worst road in the group is the county road. The most questionable bridge is the state maintained truss bridge, and the smoothest and fastest part of any trip in on the Interstate. (I thank Ike and his Republican inspired tax increaes every time I use one) State and Federal gas taxes to support this infrastructure have not increased in at least 10 years to my knowledge, but the purchasing power of the taxes collected has decreased substantially just due to inflation (concrete has more than doubled in the last 10 years). Depending on how you look at it, the gas tax is either progressive or regressive, but at least it is (or can be ) specifically targeted at keeping the roads safe at at least the state and federal level. I don't know how much the study group was influenced by the highway lobby, but one cannot pursue life, liberty or happiness for long in this country without wheels on a good road. Let's support this increase for our own speed and safety, but keep a close eye on how and where (Alaska can build its own bridges!) it is spent.

hi jack
I have been looking up some congressional voting records.

i find that barack Obama has missed 166 votes out of 442 possible votes
or 37.6 %. Mr.Obama cant seem to vote on some of the most important things . he cant be found. so how can we think he can run the USA if he cant do the job he has now . the only thing Mr.Obama don't miss in DC. is pay day. not 1 missed i would like to hear more about this kind of things. why don't CNN tell the hole truth?.

thank you for your time
Chip G.

If congress didn't have to pay lobbist and kick backs and steal some for themselfs,We would have plenty money. And if we used good producks.Instead of 3rd class products,We pay for 1st class. Greed and dishonest politicians are ruining our country, But jack that will get worst not better. We can't do a thing to help our contry.It's gone too long and too far.

Here in Montana, a state that is 4 times the size of Ohio, a gas tax like that would certainly be unfair. We have less that a million people living here and descent size towns are 100 miles apart. Most of the roads here are dirt and stone except for the highways. Having paved roads would up grade our infrastructure. I think we would rather pay less for gas and keep our dirt roads thank you.

Stop the rebuilding of Iraq, and bring those dollars home to re build our infrastructure.. our monies could be better used here where it belongs..

Why are we spending those billions building Iraq's infrastructure.. if their govt doesn't want to do it themselves, let them live in tents.. our construction is being destroyed as soon as we build it.. "talk about waste"..!!!

Jack, I know we disagree about Obama, but I was wondering is the increased articles from CNN and the NY Times on Kenya a below the radar endorsement of Obama? While being a gifted orator, he still hasn't shown much substance. His comment last night about being a hands off inspirational leader didn't help his position much. We need someone to egt things done. (More things than I can write about). Ken

Jack, here is my 2 cents worth. That giant sucking sound is Iraq. Instead of fixing Roads, schools, New Orleans, social security, Haliburton is getting new offices in Dubai. That is what congress needs to address, not raising taxes, this time on gas. BTW, last night you and Wolf and quests had a great discussion going. Keep talking about real issues and changes may come yet. thanks.

In a word: NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But here's another idea that I think will find favor with the "average American": Raise the gasoline tax well above 40 cents per gallon on those who insist on driving SUVs, motor homes, boats, vans, Hummers, jeeps etc. Let them pay extra for the upkeep of our roads, bridges and highways. After all, their bloody vehicles are far more destructive to American roads than economy-sized vehicles that cost less to fill up and drive and are less abusive. An across the board 40 cents tax is unfair to working Americans in the middle class.

No !!!!!! We should not have to pay for a bridge that we have already paid for. The company who got the contract to build the bridge should be liable for their incompentcy. They should have to pay, not us.

It's just a backdoor way to raise taxes that will be ued for other things.

Dear Jack, Our state up the tax on gas seven times to help out our school but, our schools did not get any better, they fired a lot of teachers, said we did not have the money to pay them. Then they had us vote to tax our land to help the schools, still the people vote for it. Then the state ask us to pay another tax to have more teachers and as you know we vote yes again. Then they ask us to vote for more land tax well the people at this point got it, this time they vote no. So our wonderful bush friend Gov. went in the back door and up our land price and tax us anyway and as if this was not more than any one should have to put up with he is now bring teachers from other countrys to save money. Well our state looks more and more like our goverment. Suck out our blood leave just a little to keep us alive. Oh yes our schools are no better than they were before the 1st gas tax bet you are realy shocked.

Jack,
That would be the straw that broke the camel's back. America would come to a screeching halt. The GRAND SCHEME of the Federal Government is to bankrupt the Government and the Country and that absolves them from their responsibility of Social Security, Medicare-HealthCare, Immigration and the U.S. infrastructure. Put quite simply, the Federal Government does'nt want to do their jobs anymore. Bring the troops home, downsize the Government, no tax breaks for Company's that move to another Country, reign in Corporate GREED! The money has to come from Corporate America and forcing the Government to be fiscally responsible. It's just a matter of choices and priortizing. Do you want your tax dollars to go for WAR, CORPORATE GREED (NWO-GLOBAL ECONOMY) or to take care of our Country and provide for our sick and elderly. Clearly the Government has sided with BIG BUSINESS and WALL STREET. The solution: A revolution is necessary to over throw the Government and take back our Country. American's had better start protesting in some way before our standard of living is further reduced. Get the lobbyist out of Washington. Make it a CRIME. We are headed for a two (2) class society, the Aristocrats and the pesants (slaves) that serve them. I guess no one is willing to do anything as long as their wallet is fat. I echo the words of Sir Edmund Hillary about his Government of New Zealand (they have an honest to God lack of morality) . The U.S. Government also has an honest to God lack of (honesty, judgement, and common sense. GOD HELP US.

Jack I'm a Canadian from Ontario, and it's hard for me to understand what the Americans have to complain about concerning gas prices, besides the oil companies getting rich that is!

Canada as I've seen on TV & read in the papers, has the 2nd largest oil reserves in the world with the oil sands, and supplies a lot of it to the US.

I live 35 miles south east of Detroit and today we are paying about 1.01 to 1.05 per liter of regular gas, there is roughly 4.5 liters in a Canadian gallon, so that is well over 4 dollars a gallon!

Does that make any sense ? Ontario alone has also lost over 200,000 automotive jobs, so we can't afford these high prices either, especially when the oil comes out of our ground, for that benefit we get to pay more!!

So don't feel to bad people, your still not bending over and taking like we have to, but it's comming to a station near you, stay tuned!

I HAVE A QUESTION THAT KEEP COMING UP 4 ME.WHAT IS HILARY CLINTONS 35YRS EXPERIENCE IN.I KNOW SHE WAS AN ATTORNEY,BUT SO IS AND HAS BEEN JOHN EDWARDS TOO.
CAN SOMEONE ENLIGHTEN ME SA TO HER EXPERIENCE .
I HOPE IT IS NOT BASED ON HER MARRIAGE.
Ezekiel,Newyor kcity

JACK
THINK YOU SHOULD READ THE ARTICLE IN LAS VEGAS SUN ON CAUCUS INTIMIDATION. SOME ONE SHOULD BRING IT UP ON TV TO HELP THE CAUCUS GOERS GET SOME SUPPORT FOR THE WAY THEY WANT TO VOTE.

no they should'nt be thinking about this at this time.

what they need to think about is: the effect of fuel cost to the consumers and the economy. the fact that corn is now a source of fuel, i don't believe the feds and wall street have a clear understanding of the economic impact of using a source of food for food.

this i believe is the cause of our economic condition today.
17 straight increases in the prime rate, followed by a threat of recession

The wild and wide campaign of experience by the hillary's against the obama's is highly regrettable and unfair to the obama's.The truth is that everyone is born inexperience and obama should be given his chance to exhibit his power of change and systematic experience that is now the driving force in this country which everyone is tapping from his idea.This is a man they claim he is inexperience,today he is made a phantom of ecclesiastic and political propaganda because there is something inside him that is the best and indestructible.lets stop this politics and give this power to generational leaders that will define America on people lips worldwide.Thanks jack!! PLS TO BE READ ON CAFFERTY FILES TODAY 01/19/08 OR ON LOU DOBB SHOW.