Motorists may get a break

May 12, 2008 10:29 am

— John McCain and Hillary Clinton want to suspend the 18.4 cents a gallon federal gasoline tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day, according to The Associated Press.
With the price at the pump headed toward $4 a gallon, that would be nice.
But it wouldn't get to the root of the problem – and by providing a little temporary relief, might actually impede corrective actions.
The problem is supply and demand. Not enough domestic oil is being drilled. And people use too much gasoline - in most cases, because they drive big trucks instead of small cars.
Allow more domestic oil drilling. Encourage new refineries. Put in fuel efficiency standards.
Or maybe impose a stiff new tax on gas-guzzlers – and give the money to those who buy small hybrids.
Much can be done, yet Congress does nothing.