Five easy reasons to oppose ObamaTolls

[pampango]

20. Our inability (unwillingness) to raise taxes on the rich derails many progressive ideas -

like making driving more expensive.

Most developed countries have much more expensive gasoline than we have in the US. Of course, they also have higher, more progressive taxes that fund an effective safety net and public transportation system. Without a foundation of high, progressive taxes we are left to argue over how to achieve progressive goals without the funding to do it.

Something tells me that republicans understand this. They know that as long as they block higher taxes (and keep harping on government borrowing) they can emasculate any progressive (and most old-fashioned moderate) proposals.

Without higher taxes on the rich or additional government borrowing, the money for any new or expanded government spending has to come from the working and middle classes. Guess what happens then. Progressives turn on each other. "Sure this is a great idea (fixing highway infrastructure, limit driving and environmental damage, etc.) but the working and middle classes should not have to pay for it. They cannot afford it." VS. "But this is a great idea. Are we going to give up on it just because we can't get the rich to pay their share?"

And republicans keep right on smiling.