Uh, Clark, this would hurt the poorest the most, and would cause the price of everything that is shipped to go up. Any time the bloated, ineffecient government gets more of our money we have less to spend and our standard of living goes down.

The manufacturers are at it again. Advertising bigger cars, SUVs, but rarely hybrids. Why? Price of gas is half of what it was 6 months ago at $4, which was the triggering event for our economic collapse! Think about it. 35 years we have known this was going to happen. Transportation will have to be weened from fossil based fuels. Sooner the better. Extinction is the rule, not the exception. We are doing it to ourselves slowly with CO2 or will rapidly with a nuclear flash. The choice is all ours.

I have been urging for a gasoline tax for 6 years or so. GW Bush missed the opportunity after 9-11. Instead of telling everyone to go out and shop a week after the attack he should have said implemented a $1.00 gas tax to fund the war on the evil doers. It would pay for the wars and would give more even sacrfice among the citizens.
Any time I bring this up folks make ugly faces yet we let the markets claim $2 gallon and have nothing to show for it.

Clark-
you are right on about finance, savings and financial freedom-and I love you like a brother-but you must have skipped govt and economics in high school. lower taxes and smaller govt. lets you decide on how to spend YOUR money. Its FREEDOM. You also tend to support liberal democrats-why would you work 24-7 to save money only to hand it over to a govt who couldnt make money on a t-bill? Other than my 2 above complaints-which I know in time your views will MATURE- you are TERRIFIC! BTW- Retired Young here in CALIF.

Stephen said, "This country has been built on the premise of cheap, plentiful gas." Where did you get that idea?

Iagree with Clark.

Tax on gasoline is money we keep here in the U S A.

What we need is the fair tax implementated and this would include gas but eliminate all federal income taxes.

True, we use too much foreign oil. False, giving any more money to the most wasteful ever elected thieves (officials) in Washington. This is NOT the way to make things better for us. The VOTE is the only way, anti incumb ent vote, that is.

Increasing taxes is like pouring money down the drain. Increases in CAFE standards will allow vehicles to be more fuel efficient.

The only way people will conserve is when they are forced to so by increased prices. Raise the gas tax for sure. Even if increased drilling is approved the gas price should be at least $4 per gallon.

I agree with Clark. Increase gas tax and use the money for roads and mass transit. Reduce income tax by the amount of gas tax increase so that it is revenue nuetral. If someone wants a tax cut,then use less gas. Higher energy price is the only way to get people to change habits and conserve energy.

DRILL HERE DRILL NOW AND BUILD MORE REFINERIES TO REFINE GAS AND DIESEL

I use to like you Clark

I agree with you Clark if the gas tax were used for mass transit projects,
road rehabilitation and sensible new road construction

I would disagree on a gas tax on just for driving your car on the mileage you drive. I would like to see a flate rate tax of 10 percent on everything you buy and wouldn't have to file an income tax report every year.

I totally agree that a gas tax would help us, but only if there were some way to avoid the spike in prices for food and other goods. A tax credit for shipping companies, perhaps?

Gas tax , we pay .50 cents a gallon now.
If you give congress more money they will find a way to waste it.

A gas tax would be fine if they would regulate the initial price so citizens in one state doesn't pay more than citizins of another state per gallon over all. I am tired of paying nickels more than the towns a few miles away let alone dollars more than people in other states.

Clark, you are right. Americans will only conserve when it hits them in the pocket. Our fuel is less exp. than most other countries in the world and that is why we are disincentiviesed to conserve.

I cannot think of anything more hideous than politicians using taxes to remake us in the image that they in their divine enlightenment and illumination consider best for the masses. They want to make us in the image of slaves while they remain aristocratic elite rulers (or should we say gods).

I agree 100%
Tax should start IMMEDIATELY at 10c per gallon and increase to atleast $2.00 per gallon-the tax revenue would be used for jobs programs and small business tax incentives. we americans have been PIGS OF THE WORLD for TOO LONG

If the taxes don't increase overall that's a great idea. It even works for me if the gas tax pays for the alternatives.

The key is to phase it in. Tell people, "Over the next 5 years the gas tax will rise x each year." You don't have to adjust right away, but as you make decisions going forward you can consider the price of gas.

My preference would be to raise gas taxes enough to replace sales taxes. The problem is that sales taxes would have to come back when gas is replaced.

People get very worked up about this issue, but gas is a small part of most people's transportation cost.

We have enough crude that can be tapped,that would make us energy efficient. No tax.

Right on Clark! Over the last 8 years our national IQ has deteriorated as has our leadership. We need to be prodded back on track.

I agree. Maybe we can raise taxes so high that ordinary people can't afford to drive anything. Then the people who have money won't have to share the road. It seems that Government and people who have plenty respond to any problem with the same answer "RAISE
TAXES!!!!" I have never been a class
warfare advocate, but I am beginning to lean that way.

rather than tax gas, drill more now. Get away from the outsiders that hold us at bay

In North Carolina we are paying 48 cents a gallon in taxes. When is enough enough?

Reading some of these comments about Clark's proposal to raise the gas tax, you would think that the government is going to save us. WAKE UP PEOPLE! The government is not the answer. Raising taxes will not solve the problem. We've got plenty of oil right here in the USA. Our economy runs on it. BUT the government has stopped new drilling (Obama just signed that executive order) and the government won't allow any new refineries. Alternative energy will not allow an industrialized nation to grow. Remember "Drill Here Drill NOW"! That's what we should be doing, but not if the environmentalists get their way.

I support an increased gas tax so everyone pays a little. No cheaters like with the IRS: getting paid "under the table". Recently I spoke with a man who has been a mechanic and has been paid 'under the table' for 17 years! Even on a sales tax, people 'cheat' by exempting items that are for personal use. CHEATERS, CHEATERS, CHEATERS!!!

To all of the people that posted uneducated/partisan rants: Gas will be gone in 50 or so years, so can it! It is time to solve our problem. If you really care about America and your children, start showing it, and work with the solutions of the 21st century and not the problems of the 20th century.

I agree that higher gas taxes would create a stable incentive to reduce useage.

A tax should not be used to control behavior.Some people have to drive great distances to work. I think we should continue give all our tax money to the Banks and only the Wealthy.After all,they do deserve it. Don't they?

Clark, step down from you Millionaire pedestal for a few years, will you? Try living, YOU AND YOUR WIFE , on $30,000.00 a year, then let me know if you STILL favor more TAXES ! Until you do (and I mean NOW , not some yesterday), SHUT UP !

Consumption of gasoline is harmful to the environment, health and national security. The gas tax should be increased to fund clean alternative energy development, and encourage conservation by discouraging unnecessary SUVs

Why is Clark so bent on giving the government more power to tax us. America has plenty of reserves of oil, both on and offshore, not to mention coal shale. America could have plenty of fuel here in the USA, but the government prohibits drilling, prohibits new refineries. What happened to letting the consumer determine what is needed in the market place?

A gas tax would be good to help the USA reduce their usage. But the proceeds from the tax never is used for the purpose intended. I have seen state governments promise to use proceeds from lotteries strictly for education,but when the law is passed for the lottery then the proceeds are diverted to the general fund. I don't trust any government now after what has happened recently.

Gas tax might be O.K. if our beloved lawmakers would set a FIXED TAX!

Gas is currently taxed by the PERCENTAGE!

As the price goes up, - so does the amount of tax you have to pay!

SET A 'FIXED' percentage to avoid ever-escalating amount per gallon.

The gas tax should be a variable amount depending on the price of gas. When gas is cheap, the tax would be high and vise-versa. This would tend to stabilize the overall price of gas. The tax could be set monthly based on last month's average price of gas. The tax should be designed to only partially compensate for price variations. (just enough to remove the large fluctuations)

I pay county sales and property taxes to support and maintain roads and highways. I also pay state and federal sales and incomes taxes for the same reasons. Americans want something for free from the government. The more the subsidy from taxes, the more you use it. Welfare is welfare. If you want to use the roads, pay for them. We are a country of Socialists.

I agree with clark.even if dod not the differend area of the county would slip it to the comsumer any way Example just look at washington rd and south richmond county.

I do not believe most americans will change their habits unless there is radical ie:expensive mandatory tax.

*****Taxes should be levied ONLY for the needs of the running of the gvt., NOT to control behavior. Please drop your communist ideals Komrade Klark. Why not tax people who don't save enough? Who eat too much? Who see too many movies? Why not tax YOU when you do a boring segment on the radio? You control behavior by laws and police, NOT by taxes.*****

I think before there is any talk on taxing gas, that they should tax items like liquor and cigarettes.
Wanda

A tax of 50 to 75 cents per gallon would be good public policy. I woiuld like the proceeds to be dedicated to improving mass transit throughout the US.

Stop all this talk about drilling and using US oil. We could all have oil running out of our ears and it would not help! No one has built a new refinery in 30 years and no one plans to. We are refining as much gas as we can and as much as we will for at least the next ten years (the time it takes to get a refinery approved and built). We need to get to work on alternatives NOW. If it takes a gas tax then that's what it takes. Sticking our heads in the sand won't make the issue go away.

This is the 1st thing that I've ever disagreed with Clark on and I couldn't disagree more. I large part of my families budget already goes for gas and Clark wants to add more to it? Also if you put more tax on gas the businesses who use gas in their daily operations will just pass that tax on to the consumers and we'll get the double whamy. Clark your off your rocker.

In the current economic troubles the last thing we need is more taxes. While it may be true that we do need to cut our consumption of gasoline, adding yet another tax burden seems to me to be ill thought out and more of a "knee jerk" reaction more typical of the Left.

Clark -- Right on! A tax on fuel will serve two important purposes: 1)Provide MUCH NEEDED funds for maintenance of our highways and bridges; and 2) diminish the amount of casual, unneeded vehicle traffic. I support this.

Syndicated columnist Tom Friedman has been advocating an increase in the gas tax for a long time and I whole hearttedly agree. George W. even said that our nation is addicted to oil. We need to wean ourselves from all oil, not just foreign oil. I know this would cause a hardship on lower income families, but maybe we could up with up some sort of tax credit to make it easier on them.

Clark, you are wrong. Average people need as little cost for gas as possible. We need to vote out of congress and any president who is not supporting immediate action to drill on and off shore for gas and oil. There is no quick fix with alternative fuels. Any alternative that reduces food supply and increases the cost of food must be rejected.

Clark,
Stick to things you KNOW something about like saving us bucks on cell phones and airline tickets. Hang around WSB long enough to listen to some people who have a better grasp of this subject than you obviously do!

Start with your own Herman Cain and Neal Boortz, then listen to other enlightened pundits like Glen Beck and Laura Ingraham. You'll learn a lot and perhaps overcome the leftist brainwashing to which you've fallen victim.

Dont they take enough aleady without our permission!?

I strongly believe in user tax. Someone has to pay for the road that YOU are using. Why do I have to pay for it?

User Tax is cheaper for the rest of us.

Clark, you are WAY OUT IN LEFT FIELD on this, not all of us live in an area with mass transit or any option other than our cars and trucks to get where we are going.
Yes gas will go back up and we will again all be crying again about it.
BUT NO WAY IN H&%% DO THOSE LEACHES IN WASHINNGTON DESERVE TO GET ANY MORE TAX MONEY OFF GAS JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN GET IT!!!!!!!!!!

That sort of tax would disproportionately hurt the middle to low income group and retirees. Find something else to tax. That's not the answer.

cmon folks were regulating and taxing ourselves into communism. Already the government owns or controls most of our major corporations that are close to monopolies now. Somebody needs to wake up as I fear it may already be too late.

This idea is looney, We're (over) taxed on every non-food item we purchase from autos to zebras. To reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we need to aggressively develop our own oil and gas resources, build more nukes (e.g. France). We also need to develop renewable energy resources like wind and solar, but they are at a high cost per Btu than other energy sources, and face the NIMBY (not in my back yard) factor. If you want to see the taxes in your state currently imposed on gasoline, go to: http://www.api.org/statistics/fueltaxes/ .

Clark, I am a really big fan of yours and of saving money. I'm in shock that you would support a socialist ideal like an arbitrary gas tax. America was built on the free market and freedom. We always overcome with our innovation. I've definitely lost some respect for you on this one.

I usually agree with Clarke, but not this time. A big part of the reason that the economy is in this sad state is the high price of gas we experienced last year. Our economy simply cannot function properly when gas is over about $3/gallon in today’s dollars. Artificially raising the price of gas through increased taxes does not make sense. If we want to reduce consumption, it should be through education, alternative energy sources, and greater fuel efficiency.

We will pay for this eventually. We can plan for it and take the easier but unpopular road, or we be forced to when slowing production and increasing global demand for prices up way beyond what we have seen. More oil won't help since we are refining it as fast as we can and there are no new refineries planned. We are nearing the end of the oil age, we better get to work figuring out what comes next. Government can't do the innovation we need but they can set a stable gas price environment where it makes sense to start these kinds of businesses. With a steep gas tax that forces gas prices to stay around 3.50 or 4 bucks, new businesses will start and we get the innovation process started. Without a price floor on gas, it is too risky to start this kind of business, and only a clever small busines is going to innovate our way of this problem. Read Hot, Flat, and Crowded for a complete explanation.

Gasoline prices may eventually rest on supply and demand but in the near term are based on manipulation by the speculators in the futures market and by their withholding in tankers off shore until the price is right. In Texas a good part of the tax goes into the general fund rather than road maintenance. I don't see the Feds doing anything more efficient. I'm against.

I am in support of the tax. People stopped smoking whene cigarettes got expensive, I think gas should be the same. If there is a phase in period, I don't think it will be as painful.

We don't need increased taxes of anything. Especially gasoline. Let's extract the oil, oil shale and natural gas in this country. Then consider alternative fuels with the exception of worthless ethanol. We don't need additional taxes which are never spent for their intended purpose.

If we would have listen to Ross Perot in 1992 and taxed gas 10 cents/year for 5 years we would not be in the economic depression we now have.

Like the tax on food, a gas tax punishes those most in need of relief from taxes. Worst of all, because it is a consumption tax, it is extremely unlikely that anyone would be able to deduct if from their income taxes. It makes little sense to tax someone out of their ability to get to work reliably.

Rutgers did a study a few years ago and determined that it takes about 6000 cars to do the same damage to a highway as one semi.

I would be in favor of increasing the gas tax in areas that have public transportation. However in much of the country, workers do not have that option available to them and must drive their personal vehicle to and from work. I am more in favor of a national tax on products that are not required for people to exist, such as tobacco and alcohol. These products I can choose to buy or not. We do not have the same option with gasoline.

We should invest in our future instead of supporting terrorist witn petro-dollars

Additional gas tax is ridicules. It punishes people that have to use their vehicle for work or family. The hybrid cars would sell much better if the dealers didn't add 4 or 5 thousand $ as additional mark up.

The US has the lowest cost per gas of in the EU, Asia, North America. The Gas tax can do two things incent people to use less gas and and pay for incentives to people who buy more fuel efficient cars, plus increase the use of mass transit systems in places like CA, FL etc. I also support the T Boone Pickens plan which a gas tax can help pay for which would eventually reduce demand for gas and eventually the price for gas.

NO! NO! NO! Government get off my back trying to "fix" things...

I WILL NEVER KNOWLINGLY VOTE FOR TAX INCREASES OF ANY KIND, SHAPE, OR SUBSTANCE. OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS NEED NO HELP IN DOING IT. A BETTER WAY HAS GOT TO BE FOUND.

What of affordability? With the additional taxes being added, anothr penny tax reduces consumption! As utility bills, etc, are rising, what about the people who need to use the car in their occupation? (Many small business owners are just trying to "stay in business!")

I support the a "fully loaded" tax including: EPA, policy, DEA... But, decrease the income tax by the same amount.

This is an issue that is going to require some real backbone from our legislators. I think a higher gas tax is absolutely necessary because of the consumers' short memories as prices rise and fall. Is that backbone there? Unfortunately for our future, I bet it's not.

Taxes are administered by government and thereby untrustworthy? Remember when the 1% income tax was enacted "temporarily" to pay for WWI? No you probably don't. Putting this much money into the hands of corrupt government guarantees hugely disruptive transfer spending. Better roads? Won't happen. Alternative Energy/transportation? This is not the corruption free zone people think it is. Enact the fair tax and let the market work.

I think a dollar a gallon could be better spent on altertenatives like better rail service and alternative energy sources. One way to do it might be to set gas prices, at say $3.00 which went relatively unnotices and make the difference tax, stablizing the cost per gallon.

Why don't we regulate the prices now and put the prices at $2/galon NOW? Leave it there. Then when the prices DO get higher because of demand, they wouldn't necessarily have to raise the prices because the we would be paying more now to pad the oil companies pockets and therefore, that should balance out to where they wouldn't lose money even if the price/barrel did go up.
As far as the gas tax... it ain't to often that Clark is wrong... Correct.

Let those who choose to drive less fuel efficient vehicles pay a one time gas guzzling "tax". Why tax gas and penalize those who choose to take their life in there hands driving a small unprotective compact fuel efficient cardboard box?

Think of the ripple effect a gas tax will have on the cost of goods and services.......Our standard of living in this great country of ours has been on the decline the last several decades. I personally don't find it palatable to keep on paying more and more for less and less.

Hey Clark - not everyone is opposed to the idea. I suggested to our state leaders here in WA that we hike gas taxes by $0.10 - $0.20 or so to solve funding issues - gas was around $1.40 or so at that time and of course most people thought the world would end if gas were instantly at $1.50 / $1.60. We went to $4.80+ and people still found a way to survive - amazing how short-sighted people can be. My only concern is that the economy is extremely fragile right now and new taxes might not be a good idea - perhaps it could be phased in. Anything to push us closer to electric vehicles is a good idea.

A gas tax now is an investment in our Future Indepence - FREEDOM!!!!!!

we surely dont need this. The politicians will send the money on porkbarrell instead of road and bridges and a tax added never goes away. Do you have any idea that poor people who want to work live in rural areas and often drive to work great distances in vehicles they can afford (which right now are ones not good on gas). Perhaps Clark would like all these people on welfare instead of working. The poor and middle class cant stand anymore taxes. Bad idea at a bad time Clark

I feel the only reason for taxes should be to raise the necessary money for the government to operate. Taxes should not be levied to modify the behavior of individuals. Too often politicians seem to feel that the answer to any problem is a higher tax.

Sending money to the Federal government is NEVER an answer to ANY problem. Find another way to to encourage gasoline consumption.

We need to raise the Georgia tax on gas also. Consumption taxes are much fairer overall and this tax will make people realize that our energy dependence needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Clark,
How does merchandise get from a factory/warehouse to a store? In most cases a truck (or something that uses fuel). Manufactures will pass the additional shipping cost (gas tax) on to consumers. Some great thinking there while America is in a recession!

For you to say "But recessions are temporary..." is true, but when the U.S. Government is taking more from citizens, how do you think the economy will recover? Americans are having to tighten their belts. It's time the Government does the same.

I believe a gas tax will keep demand from increasing and will ultimatly keep overall prices lower. I don't want to see $4.00 a gallon gas anytime soon.

Fund terrorism? Here are the countries we buy oil from. Are Canada and Mexico terrorists? We sell military weapons to Saudi Arabia.

1. Canada
2. Mexico
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Venezuela
5. Nigeria
6. Angola
7. Iraq
8. Algeria
9. United Kingdom
10. Brazil

Clark, Big fan of you & your show but I really disagree with your tax increase idea. Let me get this straight. The government tells us to drive less & conserve so we spend less money on fuel & save the planet. But, then the government comes back & say's there getting less tax dollars because we are using less fuel and they need more revenue to fix roads & bridges. Are you kidding me! Have you ever noticed the government can never do with less but they ask the citizens "Who They Work For" to do with less. This is working just like the taxes on cigarettes. Use the taxes to fund health care & then in the same breath tell everyone to quit smoking. If anything you want more people smoking just to get the revenue to fund health care. What happens if everyone quits smoking & no taxes are collected. Will the funding of health care go away? Of course not, they will find something else to tax & try to control everyone's life. Here's an idea! Lets tax every radio talk show host, TV commentator, movie & TV show for every word spoken. They can use the money to fund the FCC. How about that Clark!

everyone knows a gas tax is right. they just don't want to do it. it is like exercise or eating healthy. we all say we are going on a diet, until time for the next meal! a gas tax is the only way to keep our dollars home in the long run. pay now to us, or pay later to the terrorist. even the big oil companies say that it is very difficult to significantly increase supply. bottom line..lose weight, exercise regulary, and pay your gas tax.

Clark - We do NOT need more taxes, we need more supply! Increasing supply is the answer, not giving more money to our out of control goverment.

my property taxes went up 60% last year. it has affected my lifestyle and changed my plans for where i will retire. we pay too much for taxes now. an increase in any tax will be harmful to the the folks like me who can least afford more in taxes.

The mid-east would be populated by a bunch of weirdo's on camels if we didn't send so much money their way. Americans won't change their gas guzzling habits until it becomes expensive. Put a dollar a gallon tax on gas and raise it 20% per year until no one can afford it.
You could do away with emissions testing, mandated mileage goals, pollution, etc.
Take the tax money and roll it back into better roads, better public transit, and a rebate to rural poor that have no access to public transit.

We already pay an average of .40 cents per gallon tax on gasoline in America. Look it up. I don't think increasing the tax is the answer, as gasoline prices are sure to surge back up fairly soon. Our working class needs all the help it can get right now.

I believe that energy sourcing is our #1 national security issue, because, as you allude to, we are funding hostile nations that have repressive regimes and that fund terrorism--not just in the Middle East, but Russia, too. We are at their mercy.
However, I do not believe in raising taxes fundamentally--politicians are lousy stewards of American tax dollars. We can count on the revenues from this regressive tax to hurt working families in a downward spiraling effect. As people pay more in taxes, they have less to spend on goods and services they actually want--dinners out, clothes for their kids, a little vacation. And those industries, and their employees suffer as a result. We see a shrinking of the economy. I believe a better solution is to allow the markets to work, by expanding markets. We MUST build nuclear power plants in this country, for example, to reduce our need for oil, and we might think about investing in battery research so that we can develop an industry of car manufacturing that will bring us efficient, low-cost hybrid or electric cars. We should consider developing our communities to be more bicycle- and walking-friendly with good lighting and sidewalks, and a convenient retail center. Unfortunately, the only way I would support a gas tax is if we could be certain of where the revenues would be spent--direct them specifically-- and if those revenues were spent wisely and economically on something that would benefit society as a whole, but sadly, the truth is that there is never a "lock box" that can't be opened by unscrupulous politicians and lobbyists for profiteering contractors.
I love you, Clark, but I think you're just wrong on this issue. Your heart is in the right place, though.
Stephanie
Napa

government with more tax money to spend. yes that is the answer. no matter how they set it up, they will greed will get the best of them. How about our officials spending the tax money that we send them more wisely. Then we can be proud of our tax money.

Long over due...use the money to repair the roads and buld mass transportion.....capital improvement are long over due. it will also put folk to work, keep more of money here in the states. It all postive

The worse thing you can do is give government more money and that is what a gas tax does. Let the market raise the price and people will stop driving but do not give more money to government that does not listen to the people. We need less tax and a government that listen to the people.

A gas tax now is an investment in our energy future. It should be a dedicated account with public oversight that funds citizen energy conservation (fuel efficient and altrernative energy vehicles, home energy saving projects, and local energy conservation programs.

Be certain, the oil companies have been over zealous in their attempt to control the American economy. What we need is open up off shore drilling, let the shale oil in Wyoming be used and open Alaska to more drilling. Our number one resource is coal, lets use it for heating MUCH more then we are. Lets up the price of our food exported, cut the imbalance of the import/export market and move forward. We definitely do not need more TAX and SPEND in our government!!! Why is it that at $33/barrel we are paying more then we did at $50?? Food for thought....oil companies suck.

Sounds good to me! But the tax money should go into a pool so everyone who has a registered vehicle can get basic coverage for insurance! This way people who travel alot of miles would pay more in taxes, because the more miles you drive the greater the risk of a accident. This would save people hundreds of dollars paying for insurance. There would be two companies to choose from if you needed your vehicle repair. If you want additional coverage you can pay extra for the policy.

no more taxes of any kind. cut goverment spending now!!!!!!

I can't beleave you people you just elected a president who wants higher taxes. And you are saying no to a tax? If you raise the tax now does it come off when oil goes back up?

It is a tenet that tinkering with the free market disables it. While it is obvious that we don't currently have a totally free market, adding another tax cannot be good for it (the market.) It is true that we currently have low oil prices and this hampers exploration efforts and development of alternatives. However, what we are seeing is an oscillation from the highs of last summer. Markets often "over-shoot" when correcting themselves. This is normal market behavior. As demand recovers, we will see a return to higher oil (and gasoline) prices. Don't encourage politicains to levy a tax; they're addicted to the things. A "temporary" tax levied now would likely remain in place when prices rise again, leaving everybody with higher expenses and therefore less money to make ends meet.

WASHINGTON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama may order a hold on a proposal issued in the final days of the Bush administration to expand offshore drilling in previously banned areas, an Interior Department official told Reuters on Wednesday.

Shortly after being sworn in on Tuesday, Obama ordered all federal agencies and departments to halt pending regulations until they can be reviewed by incoming staff.

An Interior official said the department is waiting for clarification from the White House on whether a proposed draft of a five-year plan to lease areas in the Atlantic and Pacific waters for oil and natural gas drilling can go forward.

The preliminary plan would authorize 31 energy exploration lease sales between 2010 and 2015 for tracts along the east coast and off the coasts of Alaska and California.

Both presidential and congressional bans on drilling in most U.S. waters ended last year.

Separately, the Interior official said the department's plan to develop oil shale fields in the western United States may also be stopped by Obama's order. (Reporting by Ayesha Rascoe and Tom Doggett)

I am so glad someone is talking about a way for gas to be more expensive. How odd does that sound? Oil is a finite resource and we will get to the point where it will be exorbitantly priced solely based on their not being a lot of the commodity left. This is reality is coming whether we like it or not.

One of the posted comments singled out the people who live in cities and how they should pay the tax since there is more of them and since they aren't driving it is easier for them to suggest it.

Well, they almost got it right. The people that drive the most should be taxed the most. Yes, a consumption tax. IF you are stubborn enough to demand the suburban lifestyle instead of recognizing we need to live in neighborhoods that are higher in density (ie. townhomes, condos, and mixed-use developments). If the same people do not take public transportation and demand it from their city government when it is not adequate enough then they will have to pay for the PRIVILEGE to drive from point A to point B. It is YOUR choice to commute extended distances.

If America continues to sprawl out into the country we will have a heck of a time becoming a nation that can get from point A to point B on a bus, rail, or train.

Gas should be more expensive. The true value of gas is more expensive than the present price represents. The only way habits will change is if it costs to much to continue them.

As has been well demonstrated, more expensive gasoline reduces demand. Undoubtedly, more expensive gas will work a hardship on us. The problem, I believe, is that the longer we keep gas cheap, the greater the hardship will be that will inevitably come. Better to face the pain now, that to wait and be confronted with far greater pain later.

stop with all the taxing, let the markets prevail, the same way someone said "petroleum works better than steam", someone will say "we wil make a killing off of this technology. they tax us for research, then you pay for that research in the price of your car. if we had stricter driving requirements, and tougher enforcement on the bad drivers, not jusst the fast ones, we wouldnt feel the need for monster sized cars. we drive our cars like we watch tv, eating, drinking, and texting. a car is a 1.5 ton machine that will kill you insantly if you do not operate it with your fullest attention. it is more dangerous that flying a jet, because we let anyone of age get behind the wheel and there are so many of us on the road. (jumping down from soapbox)

How about we add a 20% tax to the mortgage or rent payment on anyone that lives in an apartment or condo in a major city.

Since they don't pay for fuel and are constantly telling the rest of the country how to live their lives, lets make them pay for the improvements. Let's see how they like paying an extra $200-$400 a month just to live.

I think those that have to drive
a distance to work should be allowed a credit for their gas. I work over 7 miles 'inside' an Air Force Base, not including the miles to get to the base and when the gas is high it kills me. I live in California where the gas has to much tax already.

Politicians will LOVE this idealistic plan that will INSURE the future of fossil fuel usage far into the future! In fact the EXACT same idea is already in place in states like California in the form of huge Tobacco Taxes. The excuse for that plan was to tax Tobaco out of existence, but instead it has become a CASH COW no Big Spending Politician wants to do without! How about using CARROTS, which are healthy instead of sticks, which would STICK it to the poor and working poor Americans while everyone waits for the Utopian fantasy of every car, truck, bus and train running on Tap Water, every Home and Office being heated AND cooled by 99.9997% efficient solar panels, and of course Zero Pollution Clear Skies that the Pigs could fly through!

Clark seems to think that commuter rails or whatever form of public transportation should be pushed forward by the government. Try MARTA in Atlanta and get on a smelly train with high crime rates. No thanks, I'll keep my American freedom to drive my personal automobile to my work destination. I do not like the nanny state that many American's think we need. Let Europe be socialist and disregard personal liberties through their over intrusive governments. If any of you bloggers like that sort of thing I'm sure Clark can recommend some excellently priced airline tickets. Bottom line what may or may not work in Europe will not work here so get the govt. out of our lives and let us do as we wish. More gas taxes would just be socialist and only elites like Clark that can afford them support such measures.

Yes, put away childish ideas - #1: that the government is here to help you by taking away more of your earnings and telling you what you should want! Let's pray we don't go the way of so many European countries: double digit unemployment, waiting days or weeks to see a doctor, thanks to socialism - the goal of liberals who love government meddling.

Of course people want more fuel efficient cars. They also want safe cars, which tend to be heavier. So, let the market provide what people are willing to pay for. Not the power hungry politicians and bureaucrats! They can not solve these problems-- they have made them worse.

It is tempting to fight back at enemies in OPEC by somehow reducing the demand for oil, but why think that redistributing your money through the government to whomever they choose, after taking out X% for themselves and their cronies, is the best idea?
Better:
Less government interference in the market instead of more;
Lower taxes instead of more.
Fewer restrictions on domestic oil and coal production.
Continued R&D, driven by normal market forces.

Government interference, encouraged by those college-town liberals who weep over one tree that falls or one snail left homeless, has made the problem worse! Taxing gas is not a good step because:
1: Taking money out of the hands of the people, to be controlled and wasted by bureaucrats, is fundamentally bad - unless to fund basic gov't services.
2: Higher taxes depress economic growth, and in reality are rarely "offset by cutting taxes elsewhere"
3: You are encouraging meddling by the politicians. 'Tax gas more' is the mindset that says let me have control over the people to achieve my top goal. Your goal Clark is to fight OPEC; another's goal is to drive safely to school. What right do you have to tax her?

In other words, you are saying that bigger government and all that goes with it, is OK: higher taxes, more corruption, more waste, and more interference by the "elite". What right do you have, what right do they have?

I thought Clark was dumb, now I know it. I'm deleting him from my favorites.

Instead of a Gas Tax, let's create an environment within our borders to bolster production of our own oil reserves. Drill here, drill now.

My guess is that there is not one square inch of real estate in the entire united states that escapes property taxes (unless exempted by law). Not one inch. Politicans and bureaucrats can painsakingly almost to the point of being paranoid accomplish this. But at the same time these same politicans and bureaucrats can without hesitation and without blushing spend $300 for a toilet seat.

I would not be in favor of giving these clowns another nickel. Clark needs to wise up here and come down from his ivory tower on this one.

NO! NO! NO! We cannot trust the politicians. Look at the state of North Carolina and the highway use tax. By law every cent must go to building and maintaining highways, but they have stolen millions of dollars for other uses in the state. Don't trust the politicians. NO gas tax.

It is time America catch up with the rest of the world. The reason Europe and Asia have smaller. lighter and more fuel efficient vehicles is their gas tax. Don't blame Detroit for our big SUV's. Let's start small say 10 cents per gallon and add 10 cents per year: surely that is a small price to pay to rid us of foreign dependency and to save the planet.

To the people who keep saying that we shouldn't send any additional money to the Federal government, what you are failing to realize is that you are instead sending your money to the governments of Saudi Arabia, Russia, Venezuela, etc. A gas tax would enable us to fund investment in alternative energy so we can wean ourselves off of dependence from foreign governments and become more self-sufficient. Would you rather fund our own country to make us stronger or fund foreign countries to make them stronger?

People have such short memories. There was so much whining about the need for alternative fuels and fuel efficient cars 6 months ago when gas was $4/gal (even before that when gas was rising from 2 to 3$/gal). Now, no one cares because they can't look beyond today.

I support a gas tax in which the revenue goes to funding alternative energy, improving efficiency in all things electric and/or gas powered, and even use some of it to help vets with medical bills.

High gas will be back, because the rest of the world isn't going to stay in the 3rd world just so we don't have to compete for natural resources. Better start planning now.

Clark, I hope you keep talking about a gas tax, and I hope you expand on the ways it could help us. I think the terrorism reason has lost its impact on the people since we havent' had to deal with it here for a bit

Clark, you're such a nice guy that I had to disagree with you, but really, giving politicians more of our money and expecting them to do what is really best for the country is really a stretch. Never trust them with another increase in taxes. Never!

Adding a higher gas is fine, but it will reflect on food prices too, and anything else that is transported, by truck which is most everything. Just because gas prices drop now, they will go back up again and may go higher then they have been before. And if you look back, they seem to go higher than the last high.

I think Clark's idea of additional taxes is a great one. It would bring more $ into the federal government and they can do much more with it than individuals can. It's the politicians' $ anyway - they keep printing it!!!

How about at least taxing imported oil?

Giving more moeny to the government is never an answer to anything but trouble. Buying and social engineering thru the tax code is not a proper function of the government. It should be 100% up to the consumer to choose whatever car he or she wants.

Talk like this makes you sound like a Communist.