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Amid worries that rising gasoline prices are on the verge of pushing the U.S. into a recession,...

  • Friday, February 22, 6:35 PM ET
    Amid worries that rising gasoline prices are on the verge of pushing the U.S. into a recession, an MIT study makes the case for even higher taxes at the pump. If the goal is to get Americans to drive less and use more fuel-efficient vehicles, and to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases, the study says higher gas taxes are at least six times as effective as stricter fuel-economy standards.
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This news story has 38 comments:

  • lol those guys
    22 Feb, 06:51 PM Reply Like
  • Another bad idea from the Academic world - the NYTimes will LOVE it!
    22 Feb, 06:52 PM Reply Like
  • Actually, the NYTimes did not cover it as news, though they allowed one of the scientists an Op Ed piece.

    http://nyti.ms/VC34kx

    Judging by the response of NYTimes readers on Facebook, most do not agree with the scientist. I think the example used of Germany in the Op Ed is just wrong, because it ignores the differences in railroads and public transit in Germany (and many parts of the EU). Outside of a handful of cities, public transit in the US is a joke, and a money loser.
    22 Feb, 07:48 PM Reply Like
  • The MITers are being paid too much....
    22 Feb, 07:06 PM Reply Like
  • Time to get out of the ivory tower and into the real world.
    22 Feb, 07:09 PM Reply Like
  • Electric cars save you money, listen to President Obama, he did win two elections for President.
    22 Feb, 07:12 PM Reply Like
  • Terry the troll, stop your political propaganda here on this board.
    22 Feb, 07:35 PM Reply Like
  • Ah, the DNC photocopier is still up and running. Had not seen you in awhile Terry, and I was thinking maybe you were taking some down time to get the copier fluid and silicone topped off.
    23 Feb, 06:05 AM Reply Like
  • So did George Bush. Whats your point?
    23 Feb, 08:19 PM Reply Like
  • Nuts Everyone is already driving less and buying high mileage cars. The US is a big place, it's not like Europe. There's something suspect in gasoline pricing.
    22 Feb, 07:30 PM Reply Like
  • Many of the very popular SUVs bought during the housing boom have now been sold on to lower income individuals in poor areas. These ideas fail when they do not consider the ability to purchase a more fuel efficient vehicle. During the financial crisis the average age of cars on the road has crept upwards, implying that people were not moving towards more efficient cars at a faster than normal pace. Ehtanol and fuel blending have a large affect on price levels for gasoline.
    22 Feb, 07:52 PM Reply Like
  • Welcome to Obama land. No wonder, standard of living US declined 17 points in last 4 years. Fastest decline in last 50 years.

    Why to go out for job even, stay at home and order food from restaurants. Government will pay for it. That way, no need to build and maintain road. Also, lesser accidents. Better, everyone become day and lesbian. No need for children. That way less population and lesser burden on government. That a retard administration we have.
    22 Feb, 07:37 PM Reply Like
  • You lost me at everyone become day and lesbian...

    up until that point it wasn't too overboard.
    22 Feb, 07:41 PM Reply Like
  • Gay and lesbian or GLBT holiday....
    22 Feb, 07:52 PM Reply Like
  • two faced phonies. the poor and lower middle class get punished big time with these policies.
    22 Feb, 10:47 PM Reply Like
  • That's the thing. With the help of his lap dogs in the MSM, the people who Obama's policies have hurt the most (poor people of all types, but especially poor blacks) are the ones who are most likely to think of him as their savior.
    23 Feb, 06:09 AM Reply Like
  • MIT is pretty academic; I visited that campus on occasion of my son's graduation at the next door school. That campus looks like an Alex in the Wonderland!

    Raising taxes on gasoline would have an immense effect on all daily household goods and services, from the so-called 'fuel surcharge' already levied by my lawn mowers, fertilizer feeder, swimming pool cleaners.

    Awesome!

    Is this a joke! CPI will rocket! And Treasuries crash!
    23 Feb, 03:30 PM Reply Like
  • A $1.50 surcharge on a gallon of gasoline should do the trick. It would push Americans into energy conservation.
    23 Feb, 04:54 PM Reply Like
  • Yes, it would indeed push Americans into energy conservation and into a recession as well...
    23 Feb, 06:00 PM Reply Like
  • WOW, i guess BEN got in there and did a good job on those kids..Lets just take more money out of the economy.

    Did it ever cross those MIT'S minds that some CANNOT group hug to their jobs??

    Salesman,for one have clients all over..Tell me how they will do this? We do have a ton of groups who cannot do it!!

    We already have bus service into the city from where i live, yet the roads ares till pounded with cars. Just look at the Taxi's in the big cities..Maybe we can just stand on the corner with our thumbs out??
    23 Feb, 05:04 PM Reply Like
  • honestly sales men could just skype into meetings... although I'm still totally against this stupid idea.
    23 Feb, 05:08 PM Reply Like
  • WIG

    Not if you travel with samples !!
    23 Feb, 06:20 PM Reply Like
  • That's true I guess it depends on what your selling... in my business you just ship samples and then skype or some other form of digital meeting.

    Not all the time mind you just for the customers who are regulars and are comfortable with it.
    23 Feb, 07:45 PM Reply Like
  • WIG

    Want new customers? Mine want to try it first!! Also want to meet the salesman, plus i want to see where and how close my competition is as well..

    My regulars can get a phone call from me...
    23 Feb, 11:27 PM Reply Like
  • Oregon is considering a tax on miles driven, over a gas tax. Guess the state needs to game all those Prius owners to steal more cash.
    23 Feb, 05:27 PM Reply Like
  • lol, I wish the prius was a little more stylish id totally get one of those 45-50mpg cars...
    23 Feb, 05:29 PM Reply Like
  • You would be better of with a TDI VW Jetta. People are getting 50+ mpg out of them and they don't have a battery that can go bad around 100k miles. The VW will last over 200k. Although the fuel you buy is a bit more expensive. Mabye someday I will do a price comparison of a hybrid vs TDI.

    Also the world record for best gas milage came out of a TDI Jetta. Over a 9000 mile trip(I am going off memory here) they averaged about 59 mpg.
    23 Feb, 08:24 PM Reply Like
  • Gas prices are high because of manipulation in the futures market, as shown by a recent very excellent article by... Kyle Spencer I think his name is? Not because of demand.
    23 Feb, 07:01 PM Reply Like
  • Mr Walters, and when prices drop is that also manipulation ?
    23 Feb, 10:56 PM Reply Like
  • >> Gas prices are high because of manipulation in the futures marke

    hey socialist guy, here some more on MIT's guys http://bit.ly/XgRGuS
    24 Feb, 01:20 AM Reply Like
  • Kvatchik, here is a comment from one of the readers of your article;

    "During the glory days of the former Soviet Union, where the military would hold a parade each year to celebrate May Day, leading the procession of tanks, missiles, and bazooka-bearing infantry marching proudly toward Red Square was a row of goose-stepping economists. One spectator turned to his companion and asked, “Comrade, why are there economists marching in this military parade?”, to which his friend replied, “Comrade, do you have any idea how much damage they can do?"
    24 Feb, 09:28 AM Reply Like
  • new generation of "soviet economists" http://bit.ly/ZCjblE lol
    24 Feb, 03:28 PM Reply Like
  • K, LOL! More proof that students are being over charged by their educators...
    24 Feb, 03:38 PM Reply Like
  • I'm with the MIT kids. Raising the gasoline tax would be a very good move, as it would solve a number of problems in a single, simple move.

    A. It would reduce oil consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions -- the consensus of scientists is still that CO2 emissions raise global warming

    B. It would reduce oil imports -- the latest data (November 2012) show that, in spite of an almost 30% increase in US crude oil production in 2012 versus 2008, the US still imports 44% of its oil consumption needs. Reduced imports means a better trade balance (stronger US$) and less paid to Venezuela and other OPEC nations.

    C. It would reduce the US federal deficit, and reduce US debt as a percentage of GDP.

    D. It would enable the market to bring about improved transport fuel efficiency standards, instead of getting there by government decree with regard to CAFE.

    But, of course, this is too simple a solution for our "stupid" politicians, so it will never get done.
    23 Feb, 10:12 PM Reply Like
  • Academia = narrow-mindedness

    Top academic institute like MIT = maximum narrow-mindedness
    23 Feb, 10:43 PM Reply Like
  • I really wish SA had the option to dislike comments as much as like.
    24 Feb, 12:03 AM Reply Like
  • The MIT's especially the A.P.S. School of Management is a lot of fluff, hype, and spiritual cocaine. If our technical and technology management is so great then why are our factories having been shipped to China?

    When you calm down to think about it, the whole thing about 'Leadership Training' is suspect.

    Bunch of crap!
    24 Feb, 12:56 AM Reply Like
  • This is what is so scary - I know MIT only accepts the most elite minds in the world. And so many are in top positions in central banking. To think that the top 1% of top 1% minds could be so focused on screwing the poor. The rest of us simply have no chance.
    24 Feb, 02:41 AM Reply Like
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