John McCain vs. Barack Obama on Gas Taxes

[gwengoad]

dumb propaganda

[jdonovan90]

i thought obama wasnt a state senator untill 2004?

[Pocadott7]

he's been a state senator since 1997. then he ran for the u.s. senate in 2004

[Tessa92503]

Um...so what if he voted for the holiday in 2000. Do any of you guys think the EXACT same way you did about issues, etc. today as you did eight years ago? Sometimes people do a funny thing...they change their minds. Realize that they were wrong about things.

[Soravia]

Obama voted for gas-tax relief in his state senate and now he is against it when people need it the most? He says Hillary only has tricks and he is the only one with long-term plan.

Such lies, Hillery has better long-term energy plan than he does in addition to her short-term relief with the oil profits going to highway fund, preventing price gouging.

Obama is nothing but a lying politician who will saying anything to make himself look good, including calling his own grandmother a racist.

[cnote602]

Sorry to say but Obama has a point on THIS top, maybe not so much on others. But he tried it in the state senate 8 years ago and it didn't work. So I think it would be worse for him to back something he tried and didn't work than to "flip flop". Plus nearly every economist in the country(including Hillary supports) said its not going to work and actually raise gas prices. Hil was even asked to name one economist that agrees it'll work and she couldn't. Then she called economist elitist.

[Soravia]

So it's OK for Obama to flip-flop but not for Hillary to flip-flop?

The issue is not just about gas tax, it's about how Obama is a hypocrit.

As for the gas prices, it doesn't matter what anyone in US does, so long as OPEC, Russia, Venezuela controls the oil and gas, they will do what they can to suck the economy blood off the US and destroy the nation economically.

[cnote602]

I never said anything about Hillary "flip-flopping"; the gas tax is just a bad idea. And like I said Obama on THIS topic has a point.

Plus I do not consider learning form a mistake "flip flopping". Flip flopping is constantly changing your position on something or changing it just for the heck of it or to gain support.

Flip flopping example: I think global warming is fake few months later I think its real few more months later I think its fake, then I say its real only around environmentalist

[cnote602]

Learning from a mistake example: 5 yrs ago I was for giving teachers guns in the classroom to deter school shootings. After trying it the stats shows it didnt help deter school shootings and innocent students were more likely to get hurt mistakenly.

Now the subject is brought up again, but I vote against it. Thats me learning from a mistake not flip flopping in my eyes. I rather a person man(or woman) up to a bad decision and correct it than KNOWINGLY continue to do something that is a bad idea.

[cnote602]

I try not to be bias towards a particular party or person. For example I do not like Obama's plan for another economic stimulus package. I do not see how printing more money and getting further in debt to another country is going to help the country in the long run.

Anyways getting off topic I do agree with Soravia over OPEC they control about 2/3of the worlds oil practically a monopoly. And oil can crush our economy easily(look at Japan WWII)We have to find an alternative

[cnote602]

In that case ALL politicians lie and change positions at some point. Such as how Hillary "misspoke" about sniper fire and Mccain "flip flopping" about Martin Luther King Day(being against it then being for it) Since in some people's world that is flip flopping...if he was against it then he better be against it now.

But then again you have to vote for the lesser evil. How bout Ron Paul too bad he'll never get the nomination over Mccain.

[hillaryclintonforum]

Was good enough for Obama and his state back in 2000. Suddenly it's not a good idea for Obama when his opponents have the idea. So typical. Flip-flop #4098 from Barack Obama.

[cnote602]

Obama voted for it back in 2000(8 years ago) that was a while ago it wasn't like it was just last week and he's "flip-flopping". What's wrong with having a person how learns from there mistakes? Obama said they tried it in Indiana 8 years ago and it didn't work. So you want him to do it again knowing it didn't work before?

[energyeternal]

all expert economists have spoken against the gas tax holiday stating that it would increase gas prices and profits for oil companies.

[Soldierette]

Don't worry about what McCain says about a gas tax. He won't be in office to implement it. Besides that, he won't remember even saying it.

[blackshepherdschio]

ridiculous gas price

[shnaaarf]

Oil companies do not control the price of oil....once again OIL companies DO NOT control the price of oil...the market does..futures traders do..oil comapnies like all other industries are susceptible to the ebb and rise of market prices...GAS prices are the result of of the price of the unrefined raw material...if barrels are trading at 120 a barrel OFCOURSE the finished product will be 4 a gallon.

If you think gas companies control the price why was oil 13 a barrel in 1998?

Blame the market

[optimistbre]

Yes, envioronementalist, Liberals, are responsible. As an oil company it's nice to have X% of $4.00 than the same X% of $2.00. Us conservatives need to realize the free market needs control too. Microsoft took controls out if business.

[cnote602]

I say the market and OPEC pretty much control oil prices therefore gas prices. OPEC will determine how much oil they want to drill so they can set a barrel at the price they want it at.

[shnaaarf]

OPEC can AFFECT prices from the supply side..however there are multiple factors that affect the market rate.

[shnaaarf]

You suspend a gas tax that pays for roads and it cuts the jobs of the construction workers. You increase the consumption of gas with the short term drop in prices, there is a run on the market,icreased demand,shortens supply and the price of oil rises anyway.

WE NEED a stronger dollar the market will respond and oil will drop, example: Fed lowers rates by 1/4 point the price of a barrel drops to $113

Stop listening to fucking politicians who just want a vote and dont give a shit about you.

[adventurousvictor]

The maker of this video is stupid to make the assumption that all the factors in 2000 vs. 2008 is the same. It might just be the case that in 2000 the tax holiday was a good idea for the state. Until the maker of this video substantiate more on what the State 2000 tax holiday entails, he just trying dupe people for his own political agenda. The conditions are different and so are the playing field (state's tax holiday vs. nation's holiday). The national tax holiday now is bad idea.

[Msbea345]

Clinton's policy, gas tax holiday and the loss will have to be paid by the Gas companies...so what this means is, the gas companies will raise the price of gas and the cycle will go on...so really you are not saving anything in the long run.

[lees20022]

The only way to bring down gas prices if to get off the self imposed restrictions of utilizing new domestic oil fields.

We have oil, Congress has refused to let us get it.

Even an announcement that the US will start pumping it own oil will bring imports down because the strangle hold they have will be relieved

Oil companies are not evil and only make 9 cents on the dollar, McDonalds makes more than that. So going on with EVIL BIG OIL rants just make you seem crazy and naive.

[lees20022]

Obama's economic team is young and inexperienced. One did a study in 2006, that said if we let the federal goverment automatically do the taxes of 1040ez users it would save billions for the poor in tax preparation fees. Sounds great huh? Not.

1040ez users don't need a tax advisor because they have no deductions and can do their taxes already for free online or by phone in minutes and have been doing so for 10 years. lol

Can't wait to see what they come up with next

[lees20022]

The gas tax holiday is a good thing, the savings for the working class will be far more than when they fill up their tank.

If the trucking industry doesn't get the break it will have to increase their fees and that will be pass on to the consumer in higher prices of all goods especially food. The goverment won't lose money in the end if the relief prevents a further slow down in the economy which would cause a huge decline in all tax revenues esp, income tax and sales taxes

[montecristo1982]

I don't think people realize that Obama is not being hypocritical at all by changing his stance from 2000 to 2008. We didn't have this problem in 2000 but we are having it in 2008. The situation has changed, and Obama is making a smart move by adapting accordingly. A temporary tax holiday would make people happy in the short run. but will hurt them in the long run.

[cleodotte]

Obama realizes here that a very temp solution is not a solution. That's the clever stance here.

McCain is just pissing time away! He should be ashamed. This is the difference in quality of leadership/vision between the two. People, wake up. Temp solutions and money handouts are not gonna save the US (you and me) from irresponsible shortsighted republicans.

[MyPasswordIsUserName]

McCain is in bed with the oil companies like Bush, why anyone would vote for him is insane

The only logical solution is to increase taxes on oil companies so they can give something back to America, the media who is paid out by the Oil companies know this and they are not letting Obama speak about it

People need to wake up in this country, you let that fucking retard stay in office for 8 years and look what we got, if you allow Obama to slip away you will regret it, I assure you that

[Kiokya]

You show a great understanding of economic principles.

Not.

[AvinashTyagi]

His change of opinion was from the wrong stance to the right one, amazing a person who learns from their mistakes changes to the right answers over time unlike Shrub and McSame

[AvinashTyagi]

Obama's right, you see there is reason why the Gas tax hoilday is stupid, first it won't lower prices, because it will increase fuel demand causing prices to rise, simple supply and demand, meaning our inflation would go up, secondly it would drain money away from our decaying infrastructure raising the deficit.

[Kiokya]

You obviously don't understand the idea of elasticity of demand. Gas is inelastic. Demand does not increase or decrease in regard to price the way you are talking about.

[montecristo1982]

Correction: Gas demand is inelastic in the short run because people can't change their transportation methods all that quickly. However, if gas prices rise high enough, then most people will adapt either through purchasing more efficient vehicles or using public transportation. The only ways to solve the gas crisis is by 1)reducing oil consumption 2)use alternatives to oil, or 3)invade another oil producing country - I hear that OBL and WMDs are in Tajikistan... Invade them, they hate freedom!

[AvinashTyagi]

like monte said short term demand may be inelastic, but over the course of a month or so people will adapt to changes in price, in fact a lowering in price will have a faster effect than a raising

[cowboycarl04]

Of course Obama thinks its a bad idea. He's a far left democrat.

But Obama is right, we need alternative fuels today... not tomorrow.. not 4 years from now... NOW...

but he won't do anything about it... oil rich white men (republicans) aren't the problem... the demand has never been higher globally, and when we rely on countries like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela (who charge $120 per barrel and it costs them $4 per barrel), we made this mess ourselves...

[newagesin]

In 2000, gas wasn't 3.51 a gallon either. Why is it so shocking to people when over the course of EIGHT YEARS someone's opinion on an issue might change based on the events that transpired during almost a decade? He's not a liberal machine, he's an intuitive human being that is aware of his surroundings. It's not the year 2000 anymore and, luckily for us, Obama knows that.

Obama '08!

[jbvoter]

INDIANAPOLIS - Democrat Barack Obama on Friday blamed high gasoline prices on Washington and a political establishment, including his rivals for the presidency, that he says hasn't stood up to oil companies. AP, April 25, '08

[givingvoice2003]

Brain-Dead People! McCain is a dangerous man. You didn't learn from BUSH?

[clemtoe]

obama is a very dishonest person.

[Chapa7ld]

If you are going to state an opinion, it needs to be explained... you just sound ignorant with a unexplained comment like that.

[clemtoe]

there isw a litan to be recited, but ts hardly worth typing when there is a prime example three screen-inches above where you left your stupid, stupid comment.

obama's, ahem, "change" on this stems from the fact that he's taken over a quarter of a million dollars in donations from big oil for his campaign. he's of course lied about this too, claiming to have never taken money from the oil industry.

[Chapa7ld]

Could you please cite some sources so that the people reading your comments can know that your information is valid. Otherwise there is no truth to your claim.

[Chapa7ld]

Could you please cite some sources so that the people reading your comments can know that your information is valid. Otherwise there is no truth to your claim.

[clemtoe]

actually, if something is true, it's true whether you look it up or aknowlege it or not.

here's your link anyway..

latimes*com/news/nationworld/n­ation/la-na-money24apr24,1,232­8541*story

[Chapa7ld]

"Obama's ad is factually correct. He does not take money from oil companies. A 1907 federal law bars all corporations from giving money to political candidates. However, oil company employees can make donations."

[Chapa7ld]

I guess its a matter of perception...

People will see what they want to see.

He has never lied about it, let's make that clear.  However he has taken $ from people within the oil industry, but since the donations are from people who happen to be working for a company, can the argument logically be make that he's associated with that company?

I mean, it's people who want change, why does it matter who they work for? Everybody's gotta put food on the table, and most hate their jobs anyways.

[clemtoe]

wow. what a principled stand that is, toeing on the edge of campaign finance law.

"change" i think must be a euphamism for hypocrisy.

[Chapa7ld]

I think we've both explained our points, but the perspective I carry is just that the media can spin almost everything.

Just because people employed at a certain company donate to a cause, doesn't mean that the company itself supports the cause, and vise versa, the cause may not support the company. People are free to carry any beliefs they want, and no one should jump to conclusions based on employment location, especially the media. It tends to do that to spark controversy for it's own gain.

[freedomintheus]

HEMP IS FUEL PEOPLE, I like a buck a GALLON.

GOOGLE HEMP.

[YoRapperBitch]

Well it's possible he learned from trying it out in 2000 that it was a bad idea.

This looks like a case of faulty logic on whoever edited and uploaded this video.

[DistantSoul13]

very true....

[Spectreman]

Did Obama vote for the gas holiday, before he voted against it??

Well, he is the candidate of "change"

[ahunkaburninlove]

But the Obamatrons will still cheer him on...