World of Suck

I just saw an ad for Kerry Healey, the Republican candidate for governor of Massachusetts. During the ad she attacked all 3 of the Democratic frontrunners simultaneously. (I guess she didn't want to wait until one Democrat was chosen before starting the attacks.) Then, a bunch of her policies flashed quickly across the screen. One in particular caught my attention: "Repeal the gas tax."

That is the worst idea ever! First of all, the only thing that will make people use less gas is having gas be expensive. Gas is cheaper here than in Europe. In Europe, people drive more fuel-efficient cars and use more public transportation. Coincidence? But it gets worse. The gas tax here is 23 cents per gallon. Eliminating the tax would be less than a 10% decrease in gas prices. And it would totally screw up the state's finances. Gas taxes are an important part of the state's income, and they're usually marked for spending on road repairs. So Kerry Healey wants to encourage people to drive more and stop repairing state roads. And this is a selling point for her campaign?

Maybe you're saying that it would help the poor. And that's a reasonable point. The poor spend a larger percent of their earnings on gas. But repealing gas taxes still doesn't help the poor that much. Want to help the poor? Give them health care. Decrease other types of taxes, like sales tax, which also disproportionately hits the poor. Hell, give poor people who drive a lot a tax rebate for some of what they spent on gas. But repealing the gas tax is one of the worst economic policy ideas available. And the fact that Healey is pushing it as a centerpiece of her platform is evidence that she deserves to lose very, very badly.

I know it’s a parking lot. I know there are pedestrians. Hell, I give you the Right of Way out of politeness.

However, there is a limit to my kindness. A fine line that I don’t accept.

So, to the overly fat woman, walking down the middle of the road, cell phone attached to her ear, swerving back and forth to prevent any car from getting past her, I say a pox upon thee. I know you’re on your cell phone. I know you’re a fat. But still, something less than a CAR WIDTH.

However, you’re in the middle of the thoroughfare. Not even an actual parking lane; this is the road to out of the parking lot toward the highway. There is a sidewalk, just 3 yards to your left AND right. Pick one and get your ass on it. Just because your ass is big enough for a bumper sticker doesn’t mean you’re afforded the right to take up a car lane.

I made a decision while sitting behind you waiting for you. Next time, I’m either going to push you with my bumper, or get as close as I can and lay on the horn so you die of a heart attack.

I don’t like people. Have I mentioned that?