Wout, I think the poor people in Europe are better off than the poor in America. (At least the more western/northern parts of Europe (excluding the Eastern bloc). Remember, we're not socialists.

And you are right about the cultural 'manly car' issue, but in a lot of cases I don't think it's even that. I'm speaking from some experience, I'll admit my background is pretty white trashy. Keep in mind, also, that as much as I hate to admit it, Americans are not taught to think. Look how we handle debate, you see it right here on the Internet. And the lower down on the income scale (for the most part) the less thought process there is. Boy am I gonna catch it for that remark, but that's how I see it.

I digress...

Joe Bubba doesn't think as far ahead as 'justifying' anything. He's living week to week and like I said he's putting $5 in the tank at a time so he sees his cash flow as being OK. He isn't saving for a rainy day or making investments, every bit of his check is gone every week. I didn't say Joe was sensible, that's just how it is. Kinda like when Joe buys furniture by renting. He's seeing that week-to-week cash outlay and he can handle that, but he doesn't realize he's paying a whole buttload of interest on that furniture and doubling his price. He affords it best he can.

It's not even so much as a manly-man thing. You can buy used gas-guzzlers for cheaper than you can buy used economical cars. Joe Bubba's got that old clunker paid for, OK? He sees that he can kinda make ends meet, and the car is running more-or-less ok. Remember he's living week-to-week, and if he gets into more debt for a new car, because he won't get decent trade-in for the clunker, he ain't gonna do even as well as he's doing.

Joe Bubba's got too many kids, too. And he's bought a vehicle with the same room as that economical SUV for a whole lot less.

I'm not saying that taxing gas is a bad idea, but it's gonna have to be worked out a lot better than just 'taxing the gas and refunding it back by payroll.'