Americans Are Open to Gas Tax Rise

Eighty-five percent of the 1,018 adults polled opposed an increase in the federal gasoline tax, suggesting that politicians have good reason to steer away from so unpopular a measure. But 55 percent said they would support an increase in the tax, which has been 18.4 cents a gallon since 1993, if it did in fact reduce dependence on foreign oil. Fifty-nine percent were in favor if the result was less gasoline consumption and less global warming. Twenty-four percent of those polled said they would support a higher federal gasoline tax if the new revenue was used to help fight terrorism, and 28 percent would go along with a gasoline tax increase if, as an offset, their income taxes or payroll taxes were lowered.

It's all in how you sell it. But, reducing dependence on foreign oil and global warming are the reasons I would want the gas tax, so this sounds good to me. Anyone want to bet that the Democrats are so incompetent that the Republicans will be able to steal this issue from them?

via New York Times