Fuel isn't luxury
צילום: עופר עמרם
A view from America
Op-ed: Israeli living in United States still stunned by low gas prices, urges Bibi to cut taxes
One gets used to good things quickly. After landing in the United States, I underwent a fuel revolution. The first time the pump showed $25, I reminded the gas station attendant that I asked for a full tank. He shrugged and muttered: “Ma’am, it is full.”
Really? This is the thought that still goes through my mind every time the warning light flickers and I stop at the gas station and pay $3.80 per gallon, precisely half of what I used to pay for fuel in Israel. I then emit a sigh that combines happiness and sadness, while again realizing why so many young people are willing to pay the heavy price of bidding our homeland farewell.
After all, fuel isn’t a luxury; it is the basic oxygen one needs to get to work, to the mall and to the grocery store.
Later, while starting my car slowly (no rush, nobody honks in New Jersey) I wonder why Americans are whining and why President Barack Obama’s popularity is declining.
Bibi, you went too far
Indeed, Obama managed to stabilize the job market, cut unemployment and create a situation whereby more families can make ends meet, yet if the gloomy predictions materialize and the price of gas reaches $4 a gallon, he may be expelled from the White House.
This is not the only difference between the land of opportunities and the land of insane taxes. While Obama argues that the price of fuel is skyrocketing because of the “Iran chatter” and suggests that Israel put an end to the talk for this reason, the Netanyahu government is breaking new records not because of geopolitical events, but simply because it wishes to boost its tax revenues on basic products.
This would allow all government ministers, deputies and their secretaries to keep driving at the expense of the regular folk, who are not given a proper alternative via train or public transportation.
Enough, Bibi. We’re out of gas. There’s no longer anything to cut or save. This time you truly went too far – lower Israel’s gas taxes.
