Actually, I don't think they've raised the taxes enough. Americans think with their pockets. If gas is too expensive, they'll stop buying it. The government didn't go far enough. It's the same idea as the high tax on cigarettes. The idea is to get people to stop smoking, not to increase government revenue.

hear hear.
taxing to promote a behavior.


http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lis...bal_gasprices/

Gas prices around the world
Think you pay a lot for gas? Perhaps you'd prefer to live in Venezuela.
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) – Gasoline prices in the United States, which have recently hit record highs, are actually much lower than in many countries. Drivers in some European cities, like Amsterdam and Oslo, are paying nearly 3 times more than those in the U.S.

The main factor in price disparities between countries is government policy, according to AirInc, a company that tracks the cost of living in various places around the world. Many European nations tax gasoline heavily, with taxes making up as much as 75 percent of the cost of a gallon of gasoline, said a spokesperson for AirInc.

In a few Latin America and Middle-East nations, such as Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, oil is produced by a government-owned company and local gasoline prices are kept low as a benefit to the nation's citizens, he said. All prices updated March, 2005.

<TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=3 width=580 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=center><TD class=mergerhead align=middle>Nation</TD><TD class=mergerhead align=middle>City</TD><TD class=tease style="COLOR: #ffffff" align=middle bgColor=#cc0000>Price in USD Regular/Gallon</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Netherlands</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Amsterdam</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="6.48" x="#DEFAULT">$6.48</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Norway</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Oslo</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="6.27" x="#DEFAULT">$6.27</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Italy</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Milan</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="5.96" x="#DEFAULT">$5.96</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Denmark</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Copenhagen</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="5.93" x="#DEFAULT">$5.93</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Belgium</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Brussels</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="5.91" x="#DEFAULT">$5.91</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Sweden</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Stockholm</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="5.8" x="#DEFAULT">$5.80</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>United Kingdom</TD><TD class=tease id=city>London</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="5.79" x="#DEFAULT">$5.79</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Germany</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Frankfurt</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="5.57" x="#DEFAULT">$5.57</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>France</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Paris</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="5.54" x="#DEFAULT">$5.54</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Portugal</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Lisbon</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="5.35" x="#DEFAULT">$5.35</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Hungary</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Budapest</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="4.94" x="#DEFAULT">$4.94</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Luxembourg</TD><TD class=tease id=city></TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="4.82" x="#DEFAULT">$4.82</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Croatia</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Zagreb</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="4.81" x="#DEFAULT">$4.81</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Ireland</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Dublin</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="4.78" x="#DEFAULT">$4.78</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Switzerland</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Geneva</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="4.74" x="#DEFAULT">$4.74</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Spain</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Madrid</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="4.55" x="#DEFAULT">$4.55</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Japan</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Tokyo</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="4.24" x="#DEFAULT">$4.24</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Czech Republic</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Prague</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="4.19" x="#DEFAULT">$4.19</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Romania</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Bucharest</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="4.09" x="#DEFAULT">$4.09</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Andorra</TD><TD class=tease id=city></TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="4.08" x="#DEFAULT">$4.08</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Estonia</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Tallinn</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="3.62" x="#DEFAULT">$3.62</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Bulgaria</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Sofia</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="3.52" x="#DEFAULT">$3.52</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Brazil</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Brasilia</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="3.12" x="#DEFAULT">$3.12</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Cuba</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Havana</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="3.03" x="#DEFAULT">$3.03</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Taiwan</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Taipei</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="2.84" x="#DEFAULT">$2.84</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Lebanon</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Beirut</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="2.63" x="#DEFAULT">$2.63</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>South Africa</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Johannesburg</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="2.62" x="#DEFAULT">$2.62</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Nicaragua</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Managua</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="2.61" x="#DEFAULT">$2.61</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Panama</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Panama City</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="2.19" x="#DEFAULT">$2.19</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Russia</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Moscow</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="2.1" x="#DEFAULT">$2.10</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Puerto Rico</TD><TD class=tease id=city>San Juan</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="1.74" x="#DEFAULT">$1.74</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Saudi Arabia</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Riyadh</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="00.91" x="#DEFAULT">$0.91</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Kuwait</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Kuwait City</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="00.78" x="#DEFAULT">$0.78</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Egypt</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Cairo</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="00.65" x="#DEFAULT">$0.65</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor1 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Nigeria</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Lagos</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="00.38" x="#DEFAULT">$0.38</TD></TR><TR class=chartcolor2 vAlign=center><TD class=tease id=country>Venezuela</TD><TD class=tease id=city>Caracas</TD><TD class=tease id=price style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" align=middle num="00.14" x="#DEFAULT">$0.12</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Yeah. You should NEVER agree with me very enthusiastically. It'll ruin your reputation around here.

If we weren't so rich, gas would be just as expensive. When oil was at $50-$60 a barrell, without government subsidies that price would be $200-$300.

I see you're only 19. I think I'll put you on ignore because you really are one dumb fucking moron. I feel sad for your parents. Now you can insult me all you want and be sure to make you replies in really big letters so we don't miss the point you fucking punk.

Alias...
You are so filled of irony that it isn't even funny.

Are you Christian by chance?
Because I can sure see the Christian love pouring out of you...

I love being told by nonbelievers what Christians are. You can stick that bullshit you know where. Try again.

I'm not telling you what "Christians are".
And the only "bullshit" I'm going to use is the Bible...
It's all the reference that need be used in such discussions, because I'm not telling you how to be a Christian...
Your "Jesus" is...


Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.


Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Mat 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloke also.
Mat 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Mat 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;


And I find some irony in the fact that you dislike being told by non-Christians how "Christians" are, yet you pretend to tell gay people how gay people are. Including telling gay people that, despite their statements to the contrary, they chose to be gay...

But please. Continue to show your Christian "love" for your fellow man.

As long as you're quoting Scripture, why not include 1 Corinthians 6:9: "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders."

Why would I?
Is alias doing the gay thing as well as violating those other passages?

Or are you trying to demonstrate that neither I nor alias are following the "Christian" dogma?
(The difference being that I never pretended to...)

Please elaborate on what your attempted point was...
Or, if you actually had none, you can ignore this post like so many others...