Who Makes the Most From the Sale of Gasoline?

[sam h]

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Which taxes in theory aren't for the public good?

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I was referring to the uses of the money, which will be spent on some public goods and on some things that are spent on discrete constituencies.

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The theory regarding taxes on "windfall" profits seems to be that the price of a gallon of gas will be reduced. If that's not the theory then what is the rationale for the tax? If the price of a gallon of gas is reduced because there are less taxes then the effect is the same.

I'm perfectly willing to believe that a winfall tax on oil companies is totally irrational and will not reduce the price of a gallon of gas .

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Oh, I see. I didn't realize that the lawmakers had some sor t of "economic rationale" behind this argument about windfall taxes. I agree with you completely - that's a totally ridiculous argument.