Comments on: 200 economists criticize gas-tax holiday

By: Ken, Lynchburg, VA.

Ken, Lynchburg, VA. — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:59:06 +0000

Jack, it means it is a "bad" idea! Senator Clinton will say anything and do anything to be nominated and then, in the fall, she will lose to Senator McCain! What is really funny is that she is going to "smash" OPEC! Right!

By: Eduardo in Phoenix, AZ

Eduardo in Phoenix, AZ — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:58:52 +0000

There is a concept in Economics called the "Price Elasticity Curve". This theory states that in purelly capatalistic system of open trade, the price of any item is established by the balance of demand and supply of such item. Therefore, if the gas tax is eliminated, the price elasticity of gas will force a sudden demand increase. This increase will eventually lead the a new shift in price towards the original price of gas (more demand = higher prices).

The so called "savings" created by eliminating the tax will promptly disappear, let's say 2 to 3 weeks. Leaving us back to where we started. Tax or no tax, the open trade market price of gasoline is one and the same. This in turn would convert the original taxes into profit for the producers, and ultimately increase the demand for oil.

Instead of this brilliant idea, I would increase gas taxes in order to motivate the development of alternative fuels. Open your eyes America!!

By: Patty from MS

Patty from MS — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:58:49 +0000

If your name is Hilary Clinton it doesn't mean anything. She's only going to say what she thinks the people want to hear. After all Jack...she is a "working class mother" and seems to forget that she is driven everywhere she goes at the tax payers expense. She has not had to personally buy gas in years! So what does she really care?

By: Taq

Taq — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:58:31 +0000

If $30 ($50, $100) is so crucial to you over the course of three months, then don't go out to eat just one (ONE!) night and bam – you've saved that $30! Want to save $100? – then don't go out to that expensive steak place that you've been dying to try out. If you can't control yourself, then go out to eat, but don't order cocktails, soda, beer, wine. Just get water. Hey – that's the healthy thing to do right?

Let's see – $100 in my pocket or thousands of jobs lost and inferior road repair service. Hmmm??? If I hit that big pothole just right, I'll have to gout and buy a new tire for my truck anyway, which will be more than $100.

NC and Indiana – please put an end to this democratic nominee race and vote for the candidate who is honest (to a fault even) and can unite the nation as a whole.

Go Obama!

By: illinois209

illinois209 — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:57:45 +0000

It means that Hillary and McCain are doing what the "Politics as Usual" booklet say-lie to the people , as long as you say that you are
patriotic or confused them with issues that really don't matter (like what someone else said) or an issue that have been resolved a very long time ago (like abortion),we'll be ok....heck ...why does America think they spend a generation underfunding schools? So they can lie when they want while we worry about Britney And Paris.You get what you deserve...

By: Susan Smickle

Susan Smickle — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:57:24 +0000

Hi Jack, Nice to talk to You. When you leave this show I'll never watch it again, because you are the only fair one. If Obama loses this elect. because of the news coverage whichis not fair and balanced ha ha .I started not liking Hillary now I hate her, and I know no one that wants her in. Obama is right and the taxation, but it will not matter. The Clinton's with the 109 million and the other fraud like the unknow income will buy this election, very sad day for all. I'm a white Grandmother of 54 years old, and DID NOT WANT ANOTHER CLINTON IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

By: Olu

Olu — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:57:09 +0000

18 cents a gallon for three months could possibly buy our country the economic downturn we seem to be heading for. Simply put Jack, pandering is alive and kicking.

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:56:40 +0000

From the web: Cafferty pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and misdemeanor charges of reckless driving, assault and harassment after striking a cyclist and knocking him off his bike on May 14, 2003. The bicyclist was slightly injured. A traffic officer and several pedestrians ran after Mr. Cafferty's car, but he ran at least two red lights without stopping, according to a police complaint. Cafferty was sentenced to a $250 fine and 70 hours of community service

By: RON ONTARIO CANADA

RON ONTARIO CANADA — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:56:01 +0000

if these 200 economists were of any value the country wouldn't be in the mess its in. they remind me of the investment brokers who tell you how all the fund they are pushing as done so great and make excuses for the ones they sold you on last year that went for a -- most of the oil the us imports are from Canada and Mexico with the free trade we are committed to sell you the oil. the oil companies are not the ones creating the high prices that is being done by the speculators the oil companies are benefiting but are not controlling i don't think the oil companies will try to pass the 18 cents tax break to the consumers the would probably use it as an opportunity to take the heat off of themselves and transfer it to the speculators

By: Colleen in Tennessee

Colleen in Tennessee — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:56:00 +0000

I'll tell you what this news means Jack. It means that the Obama folks need to get on the stick and get this out before Billary starts lining up their guests for the Lincoln Bedroom.