Obama on MTP

I was somewhat disappointed by Obama's performance. In particular, his out-of-hand dismissal of Tom Brokaw's question regarding raising the gasoline tax. Certainly this is a complex issue, especially with the country facing a recession and rising unemployment, but it took $4 gasoline to get the country focused on energy reform. With oil prices dropping, consumers will revert to their old behaviors unless serious steps are taken to address this issue. Let's not underestimate the ability of Americans to adjust to differing economic realities. Why not demonstrate our commitment to reforming our domestic energy policy at the same time that we're holding the Big Three's collective feet to the fire? That would require the kind of bold leadership that Obama promised to bring to his administration. Watch below during the 8th minute:



Perhaps a gasoline tax would be included among the "long term incentives" that Obama alluded to in his answer, but I doubt it. Indications suggest that Obama will propose a restructuring of our energy grid to accommodate a wind and solar works project but that money will have to come from somewhere. Why not kill two birds with one stone and raise the gasoline tax now while American consumers have the stomach for it? Additionally, the revenue from a gasoline tax would put a dent in the rapidly expanding proposed budget deficit for next year while only minimally deflating consumer demand in the overall economy.