30 miles per gallon is not fuel efficient
June 16th, 2007 by Eric
I’m not insensitive to the economic impact that high gas prices have on the lower and middle-income Americans. In the last several years, the amount that we must pay to get from point A to point B has not just increased, but tripled, putting a big hurt on the average family. But I would be dishonest if I didn’t say that I believe that $4 per gallon gasoline would be the best thing that could happen to America.
Like so many other issues in this country, we go back and forth with empty rhetoric rather than having an intelligent discussion. Seeing the upside to high gas prices doesn’t mean I want Americans to suffer any more than being pro-choice means that I like abortions. I’m more interested in solving the problem with intelligent policy than simply saying what I’m for or against and then doing nothing about it.
There are a lot of ways to deaden the impact of high gas prices. One of the quickest ways would be for the United States government to raise CAFE standards (Corporate Average Fuel Economy).
According to the Almanac of Policy Issues, the current fuel efficiency standards are 27.5 mpg for passenger automobiles and 20.7 mpg for light trucks and SUVs. Despite several attempts to raise it, it has been that way since 1975. There is now a movement to raise it to 35 mpg. The average American family will spend $3,200 this year on gas. The increase in CAFE standards would save the Smiths, Leones, and Gorzynskis over 500 smackers.
Care 2 Action has started a petition to the auto industry to raise those standards. It will save Americans money, help stop funding terrorists in the Middle East, and reduce greenhouse gasses. It’s time we climbed out of the basement when it comes to fuel efficiency around the world.
They’ve already had nearly 11,000 economically, politically, and environmentally friendly signatures on it; let’s add a bunch from the Progressive Wednesday community.
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