Incentive for Fuel Efficient Cars

Gas Prices have been skyrocketing recently, and many Americans are struggling financially because of it. However, the op-ed writer for the New York times, Richard A. Daynard, suggests we increase gas prices even more by creating larger taxes on gas in this Op-Ed piece. He suggests that by doing this, it would encourage more Americans to turn to fuel efficient cars that benefit the environment. 

While, it is important to help the environment, and fuel efficent cars are a great alternative, I think that by raising gas prices even more, we would be harming many Americans. Many people may no longer be able to afford gas if the prices are so high, but they might also not be able to afford a new, more fuel efficient car. Because of this, they could have consequences of not being able to transport themselves to their job if they cannot afford gas.

I think there has to be some other incentive to buy fuel efficient cars other than rising gasoline prices. While I fully support cutting on gasoline usage, harming many Americans, and their ability to transport themselves to work is not the best option.

Are there any other ways to create incentive for fuel efficient cars?

Budget Cuts

As the government is preparing to make their $85 billion budget cuts, they may be harming the poor families of America the hardest. Annie Lowrey wrote "As Automatic Budget Cuts Go Into Effect, Poor May Be Hit Particularly Hard" In the New York Times. She wrote "housing programs would be hit particularly hard, with about 125,000 individuals and families put at risk of becoming homeless."


I think it is really a shame that we are putting low income families out on the streets with the budget cuts. There are so many other areas to cut back on our budget, so putting American families out on the street should be the last resort. For example, in class we have seen the extremely large budget put into law enforcement for stopping drug use. We have also seen all of the money going into prisons. It seems that not all of that money is necessary as we are locking up many fairly innocent people.

In what other, less harmful places, could budget cuts be made?