what is the real price of gasoline

Reader comment on: Friedman on a Gas Tax

Submitted by scott (United States), Feb 23, 2011 16:52

I wouldn't want to see the government using tax policy to promote particular automobiles either, but I am also disturbed at how much the government indirectly subsidizes the price of gasoline. If the cost of maintaining free flowing oil out of the Middle East was factored into the price of gasoline, we would probably all be carpooling and driving small vehicles. For roughly every gallon of motor fuel used, one dollar is spent on the US Navy. Granted the Navy has many other missions besides maintaining peaceful merchant shipping out of the Middle East, but maintaining Middle East stability must surely consume a significant portion of the US Navy budget. And then if you consider the rest of the military forces, and the lives lost, and the thousands of civilians who support our interests in the Middle East, the cost is enormous.

Note: Comments are moderated by the editor and are subject to editing.

Other reader comments on this item

Comment on this item