Our Fair Share

I took the time and did a little research on the Internet and found a map of gasoline and diesel taxes per state for the United States. The figures given for each state are an average for each state and include all local, state, and federal taxes. The figures given are in cents per gallon. The state of California leads the way at 67.1, then Massachusetts at 65.6, Illinois at 64.4, then New York at 60.7, then it is a tie between Indiana and Michigan at 59.4, Washington state at 55.9, Florida 51.6, Wisconsin at 51.3, Utah and Hawaii are also tied at 51, West Virginia at 50.6, North Carolina at 48.6, Maine at 48.3, Georgia at 46.5, and Ohio at 46.4.

Of course Alaska has the lowest at just 18.4 cents per gallon. All other states are between 32.4 and 48.4 cents per gallon.

Since I live and work in Michigan and I have family in Ohio I did some calculations and this is what I have discovered. Based on these taxes, driving my vehicle (assuming 16 mile per gallon average for all mile driven) for 32,000 mile driven per year I purchase 2000 gallons of gas per year, which translates into $1,188.00 taxes for road maintenance. I also figured the same miles per gallon for my Ohio relatives but they drive less miles (15,000 per year). That translates into 937.5 gallons of fuel consumed per year for a total tax of $435.

What exactly is our state and federal governments doing with all of this money. for just two people out of 200 million vehicles in our country that extrapolates to a lot of cash! This is in addition to all income, sales and property taxes. Where the heck is it all going?

Our geniuses in congress can't seem to grasp the idea that they can not have it both ways. They crater under pressure from environmental groups and introduce legislation that encourages less energy consumption. The very same energy consumption is a great source of revenue for them, so now that the legislation has had the desired effect of reducing consumption, they are scrambling to replace the lost revenue stream. They want to raise taxes again. But now they have to disguise any new taxes because voters are getting tax fatigue. Voters like you and I are wary of any new taxes. Now they are seriously tossing around the idea of raising revenue by any means. And how convenient to use the whole "green movement" and craft a "cap and trade" carbon tax for businesses. As if our businesses need to pay more tax.

The gross incompetence in our government is astounding. They are already taxing businesses into oblivion. Businesses are closing up shop, or leaving the country and taking good paying jobs with them, and these idiots want to actually increase the tax burden on business.

Here's a clue Congress; spend less, not more. Stop rescuing Wall Street and Banks. Let them fail. Save Jobs by bailing out manufacturers, and giving them tax breaks.

Obama's plan for $500 for individuals and $1,000 for couples is the smaller than the one Bush gave everyone, and it will have the same effect; NONE! People will use it to pay down debt, or save it because they are worried about losing their job next.