Libertarian Paternalism

An argument for keeping gas prices high by adding a gas tax.

While both paternalism and libertarian have negative connotations to different sets of people, let's face some facts:

1) We need to increase tax revenue to pay down the deficit and to fund the WOT.

2) In the long run, oil is both running out and funds our enemies. It is in our long term interest to invest in alternative energy.

No one wants their taxes raised. No one wants payroll taxes raised. No one wants their social security cut. Removing earmarks are a nice idea, but let's be realistic - it isn't going to happen all at once and it won't be even a fraction of the amounts we're talking about. Neither will the gas tax. But a proposal like this might be the perfect mix of paternalism in it's best sense - encouraging behavior that is in the long tern interest of the country by a tweak of the "market." (I say "market" because oil is a cartel good anyway - see OPEC) - and libertarianism in it's best sense - creating market incentives for individuals and companies to profit by discovering new energy sources.

It's all about trade-offs. Once in awhile a trade presents itself that can benefit multiple parties. This may be one of them...