It is not too often Jane Fonda’s name gets a mention when discussing patriotism and improving the country. But if we want to succeed and continue as an economic powerhouse, we must follow the liberal lady’s exercise advice: No pain, no gain.

For some reason, this country hates pain, even if it leads to monumental improvements. The average American waistline is a great example.

Another fine example is our addiction to crude. We have known for decades that our dependency on foreign oil would eventually cripple this country. Whether we have reached that point or not is moot. The fact that very few folks are willing to endure temporary pain in an effort to help eliminate that problem is what needs discussion.

What’s in it for me?

It now costs over $120 for a barrel of crude oil, and the price of a gallon of gas is nearing $4. Even so, the majority of Americans are not willing to sacrifice their level of comfort to help solve the problem.

Busses still travel our streets with few passengers on them. Cars still commute dozens of miles from suburban homes to urban employers with just a lone occupant. And the thought of taking a train on a mid-length trip makes most people want to puke.

We are all to blame, but our government has done absolutely nothing to fix the situation. In fact, sometimes I wonder if it is doing its best to aggravate the problem. Just look at two of our presidential hopefuls. McCain and Clinton are calling for a temporary gas halt of the nation’s gas tax. Pure stupidity.

Advertise here.

First off, the tax is just eighteen cents. Big whoop. Instead of costing $3.65 for a gallon, it would cost $3.47. Isn’t that what we were paying last week? You know the lost tax revenue would just come out of one of our other pockets anyway.

If we want to fix this decades-long problem, we need to suck it in, take the pinch and move on. Pull the Band-Aid off in one quick tug.

Political suicide or patriotic heroism

To permanently get rid of our oil problems, Washington needs to increase fuel taxes. Follow the European model. Jack up prices with huge taxes until folks find cheaper modes of transportation. Before we know it, this country would have a booming economy as the rail and mass transportation infrastructure systems flourish. Even better, folks would actually want to live in our nation’s cities.

If we continue down the path we are taking now, we will slow the breath of the nation’s economy until it chokes and dies. Eliminating the addiction may hurt now, but in the end it will be worth it.

Now, if we could find some politicians who care more about the country than their careers. That is the really hard part.

Note: Images from FreeFoto

Andrew Snyder
Today’s Financial News