paying our debts in real time

[predfan]

Much has been made about the fact that no one has been asked
to sacrifice for this war except our military and their
families, but that's not exactly right. Since the $12B a month
it's costing is all "off the books', and we're operating
in a defict economy, naturally the bill will be slipped onto
the backs of our children and grandchildren. Here's my modest
proposal. A $1.50 per gallon gas tax would pay this expense in
real time, and spread the sacrifice throughout the public. I
drive about 150 miles a week, and use approximately 7 gallons
of gas. I'd be paying a war tax of a little less than $11 per
week. By the way, our gas prices, even with the additional
$1.50 per gallon added, would be about half the average price
in England.

So let's belly up to the bar, and see who's serious about
"staying the course'. Most of my Republican friends speak
often about Democratic tendencies to "cut and run'.
Here's their opportunity to do something good for their
country and their grandchildren for the cost of a trip to
McDonalds once a week. 

Wouldn't it be interesting to hear someone discuss this in the
halls of Congress? Sadly, even our Democratic representatives
don't have the nerve to discuss sacrifice.  

[rurallib]

1. I like it!

[onethatcares]

2. seconded

works for me.

[madokie]

3. I like

welcome to DU

[RaleighNCDUer]

4. Oohh. Real mixed feelings about this.

On the one hand, it is only fair and right that we make it pay-as-you-go.

On the other hand, actually funding the war just might extend it, and I wouldn't want to do anything to extend the war.

On the third hand, they intend to drag it out as long as possible as it is, so making us pay for it up front might cause the war lovers to have second thoughts.

I'm out of hands.

[Dora]

5. I agree with you.

I resist the idea of a War Tax because I do NOT support the war.

End the war/s, and I'll be happy to pony up to pay the debt.

But I will not support any idea to pay the ongoing and accruing debt of perpetual war.

[predfan]

6. Dora, would you agree

that the pressure of real time financing would force the administration to justify to the general public the benefits of this war? Want to see the most gung-ho warhawk think twice? Ask him to sacrifice in some other war than going to the mall, or on vacation ( as was suggested after 9-11, you'll recall)

[predfan]

Dora, would you agree

that the pressure of real time financing would force the administration to justify to the general public the benefits of this war? Want to see the most gung-ho warhawk think twice? Ask him to sacrifice in some other war than going to the mall, or on vacation ( as was suggested after 9-11, you'll recall)

[Dora]

8. The general public wants to end this war, didn't you know?

We are the majority. Those "most gung-ho warhawks" are already being crushed by the weight of the truth.

[SecularMotion]

7. Don't even think about it

There are too many people struggling to fill their gas tanks at the current prices. It would be too much of a burden on the budgets of the poor.