newsminer.com

The McCain-Clinton scheme for a federal gas tax holiday is a bit of campaign nonsense.

Better to call this the McCain-Clinton road repair holiday.

America's transportation infrastructure is crumbling and the federal gas tax should be increased, not decreased, to rebuild bridges before they collapse, improve highway safety, etc. Barack Obama has attacked the gas tax holiday as a gimmick that won't work. He's right.

The gas tax goes into the highway trust fund, an account that soon will be running a deficit, which means that the nation's roads and bridges will continue to fall apart.

McCain, Clinton and Obama haven't wanted to risk offending their supporters by offering comprehensive solutions to the nation's energy crisis. They stick with ideas that their supporters find pleasing.

These can be summarized as: "Don't worry. Someone else will pay."

The reality is more complicated than the candidates let on.

It may be that tax increases are required and not just on the oil companies. It may be that drilling in ANWR and off the coast is required.

It may be that nuclear power is required and it may be that Americans will have to learn to use energy more wisely, pay much more for the privilege and drive smaller cars.

There are economic consequences that add up to job losses and higher costs.

If the candidates ever muster the courage to tell their supporters about unpopular choices that may be required, perhaps the federal leadership holiday may end.