Gas Tax Proposals, Oil Price Hearings

Re “Who Are the Gougers?” Commentary, May 1:

Kenneth Green proposes eliminating gasoline taxes. That suggestion is to be expected from one who works at the Reason Foundation and who thus probably has total faith in the market system.

I wonder if he would be willing to ensure that all indirect costs that are now externalized be paid by the oil companies. These costs include such things as environmental degradation, increased health care, lower crop yields and even wasted time on the freeways while the traffic stands still.

RICHARD FOY

Redondo Beach

* Can Sen. Bob Dole please tell us how rescinding the 4.3 cents per gallon gasoline tax will contribute to balancing the budget (April 27)? What alternate revenue source does he propose? If it’s not a new tax (presumably anathema to him), then what government program is he going to sacrifice to appease gasoline consumers? The time is long past when proposing a tax cut in and of itself can be considered fiscally responsible.

D. O. RALEIGH

Woodland Hills

* Has it occurred to anyone that soaring gasoline prices might be political? A cabal between gasoline producers and tree huggers with tacit approval of liberal politicians? It gives gasoline companies obscene profits while forcing users onto public transportation, boosting their profits while reducing pollution and the load on the infrastructure.

It would surprise no one to discover that the “hearings” in Sacramento (April 26) are a scam by political tree huggers to calm the public while doing nothing.

JAMES N. BARDIN

Garden Grove

* This country is in the unconscionable hands of the oil companies. First they get the states to raise the speed limit to 65 mph, thus increasing fuel consumption and, quite incidentally, raising the death toll on our roads. And now they raise the price of gasoline.

MICHAEL MINDLIN

Los Angeles

* I drive two Detroit-made vehicles which yield so-so miles per gallon rates. Until recently I had planned to purchase another Detroit vehicle this spring, and I looked forward to a somewhat improved mpg experience. I have called off that plan pending wake-up calls to Sacramento, Washington and Detroit regarding the public’s rape by the gasoline industry.

I may still purchase a new car; however, I shall consider the mpg performance of Japanese cars as well. Meanwhile, I shall continue to curtail vehicle use severely.

KENNETH V. KNIGHT

Woodland Hills