by Jesus Alaniz
In his 1790 book, “Reflections on the French Revolution”, author Edmund Burke wrote “But the age of chivalry is gone. That of sophisters, economists, and calculators, has succeeded; and the glory of Europe is extinguished forever.” The war in Iraq begins on March 20, 2003. Oil prices have been creeping up and soon begin a steady climb. Nancy Pelosi calls President George Bush a failure when gasoline prices reach $3.05/gallon. However, Pelosi as of late has stated that she’s interested in a gasoline tax increase along with tax cuts for the middle class that has allegedly been proposed by Republicans. Local, county and state governments have also raised gasoline taxes or have made no effort to bring working families relief at the pump. Early in his campaign Obama was open to higher gasoline prices to compel people to drive less thus “reducing fossil fuel emissions and fuel consumption”. In 2011 Obama also floated the idea of a mileage tax though a spokesman later stated the suggestion never entered the administration’s discussions. In 2011 GM CEO floated the idea of a $1 per gallon gasoline tax to “help guide” people into more fuel efficient cars, presumably the “Chevy Volt”. Gasoline prices had been coming down and American families had finally seen some relief right up until refinery workers who blame the big oil companies for being greedy went on strike though I doubt they’re striking to lower prices for working families. In Aesop’s fable of the Lamb & the Wolf, a hungry wolf observes a lamb drinking water from a brook and then confronts the lamb for muddying up the water though the water is running down stream away from the wolf. The wolf then accuses the lamb of telling lies about the wolf the previous year though the lamb is only six months old. The wolf then rushes the lamb justifying that whether the lamb’s lies were about him or his brother is inconsequential and eats the lamb. The moral is written “The unjust will not listen to the reasoning of the innocent. – The tyrant can always find an excuse for his tyranny.” There has never been a good reason for raising gasoline prices over the years. Oil profiteering, wars, taxes to reduce consumption/emissions or create shovel ready projects, bail out an auto giant or serve organized labor are nothing but excuses. When’s the last time you saw an American flag flying at a gasoline station? It’s time the American people understand the difference between a democracy and a republic, political parties not with-standing. In a democracy two wolves and a sheep vote on what’s for dinner. In a republic two wolves and a sheep vote on what’s for dinner but the armed sheep contests the vote. If you have not read or studied “The Wolf & the Lamb” don’t bother, you’re living it. The working class’ only task is to now boldly “contest the vote” to increase gasoline prices & taxes when the time comes. References: Democrats Then vs Now: Nancy Pelosi Blames Bush for High Gas Prices https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjigcS8gN04 Pelosi Challenges Republicans To Put Up A Vote On Middle Class Tax Cuts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XRL5Y1BZFI Pelosi Open to Increase in Gas Tax https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkzE5IeGrgk Obama Admits He Wants Higher Gas Prices https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRzKutZMrHo GM CEO calls for $1 gas tax hike http://money.cnn.com/2011/06/07/news/companies/gm_gas_tax_hike/ Obama administration floats draft plan to tax cars by the mile http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/159397-obama-floats-plan-to-tax-cars-by-the-mile The Wolf & the Lamb – Variant http://mythfolklore.net/aesopica/milowinter/45.htm
