Should we raise the federal tax on gasoline?

[dead0man]

I've always wondered why people that honestly fear global warming (or whatever environmental dire straights we'll be in next year) would bitch about high gas prices.  If part of the problem is too much pollution from cars then wouldn't it be best to drive less?  Or encourage, through the market, people to buy more efficient vehicles?  One easy way to do that would be an increased gas tax.

I'm not saying I'm for it (or against it for that matter), but if ones goal is fewer miles driven, then it's a sensible position to take.  On the other hand, if you care about the enviroment and bitch about high gas prices, you're an asshole.

[dead0man]

Rail is probably a good solution, but even it's not perfect.  HUGE initial costs and can be difficult to "upgrade" to newer technologies.  The private auto on the other hand is constantly evolving because it's replaced every few years or a decade at most thus easier to incorporate future tech advances.  Rail will help, but I don't think it's the answer for everybody.

where I got these crazy ideas

(I'm much more rail friendly than that guy though.  He does make some interesting points.)