Government should cut taxes on gas

Prices for commodities are on the rise, with oil prices far in the lead, but also food prices are moving upward as well. No big surprise; everything is made, moved or maintained using oil, so, when gas prices increase, prices on almost everything will also increase.

The sharp jump in fuel prices have brought protests from truckers, who are hard hit. With farmers reportedly backing off on planting corn this year (maybe, depending on bean prices), the cost of food is also likely to increase. In the food chain, corn is like oil. It seems to be involved in everything.

Oil prices have increased around the world as demand increases and supply doesn't. A similar situation is underway with corn. The only way to stabilize or reduce the prices of both is for people to cut back on their purchases of these commodities.

Yet, without committing market mischief, government can do something about gas prices: cut the gas tax. The federal government charges 18 cents a gallon; Illinois adds another 19 cents, plus sales tax of nearly another 20 cents these days. More than 55 cents of the price of a gallon of gas is taxes. For diesel, it is about 10 cents higher. Illinois has the fourth highest fuel tax in the nation, according to the Tax Foundation Web site.

Of course, amid all these calls for government action, you won't hear many politicians suggest that they cut tax income to ease our pain.

A call for recall

The (proposed) recall amendment is not about Gov. Rod Blagojevich, yet it is. Illinois has needed a recall provision for some time, but it has taken the ineptitude and political shenanigans of the current governor to spark increased interest in giving Illinoisans the same option as residents in 18 other states.

Where that power exists, it has been used sparingly. Just knowing the authority is there might help make elected officials more responsive to taxpayers. Sometimes, waiting years for the next election is too long.

However, there are multiple hurdles to be jumped. If the Legislature puts the proposal on the November ballot, there could be enough time to recall the governor before his term ends in January 2011. But that would require recall organizers to gather more than 400,000 signatures on petitions within 160 days of filing a notice with the Illinois Board of Elections.