Why we ARE lucky here

[swissmiss04]

I read an article about gas prices in other countries. I was absolutely amazed.
Link: http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/...tra/P82771.asp

Anyone who knows why it's this high elsewhere???

[thetalady]

When I was in Italy several years ago, we paid the equivalent of $5 per gallon of gas. I almost choked. I am trying to remember that now, as I pay 1.90/gal

There are a couple of reasons, some mentioned in the article:
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In the United Kingdom, however, gas taxes provide 17% of the government's budget and make up more than three-quarters of the cost of a gallon of gasoline. Taxes in Italy, Germany and France raise 4% to 5% of the national budget revenues, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
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1. the governments need the money

2. many of their roads are in terrible shape & must be maintained

3. they impose the high taxes to force people to use the public transit & stay out of cars. Much of Europe has hideously overcrowded streets & pollution.

[queequek]

That's why we need Iraq as our ally.
'Nuff said.

[swissmiss04]

Originally posted by thetalady
1. the governments need the money

2. many of their roads are in terrible shape & must be maintained

3. they impose the high taxes to force people to use the public transit & stay out of cars. Much of Europe has hideously overcrowded streets & pollution.

I think these are all pretty valid reasons. If I knew I had reliable public transport at my disposal, I wouldn't complain about paying $5/gal. Of course if the gov't tried to implement a system like that here people would cry "Communist/socialist/liberal" and it wouldn't get off the ground. The roads here suck azz and our government (state government, particularly) needs the money. Of course people here drive to the mailbox, and then bitch about being fat. It's almost as hard to get them to give up their guns.

[justamom]

On topic, but not so much with the thread...

Today on the radio I heard some obscure talk show and the guy was saying WHY we are so lucky to be Americans and WHY HE was supporting the war. NOT for Bush to get elected, but for a win in Iraq that would (hopefully) turn other dictated countries around WITHOUT a war. If the war is successful, MAYBE Bush will win, but the bigger picture would be freedom spreading without violence and of course, a return to our own individual freedoms.

It is the youth of Iraq-the teens and young adults-that he sees accepting more western culture influence-forgiving us for the crass culture of the Brittany Spears and Janet Jacksons-the crude videos...but embracing the freedom our own youths' of America's experience. They see what we have and perhaps, their desire to have the same independence will aid in our quest for world peace. These are unpopular things to depicted on TV.