Next time I’m grumbling about the cost of pumping gas into my tank, and blaming –falsely – the darn gas tax, I might want to picture the analysis submitted in a letter to the editor of the Times Colonist by Thomas Martin of Victoria (depicted above). In the May 6 edition, Martin says, in reference to a TC article, New Alberta refinery could help with squeezed gas supply: Horgan, April 27:
High gas prices have made the news (again). I sat down, did the math and found the increase will cost me only $120 annually.
My car, if you account for maintenance, depreciation, financing and insurance, costs about $8,000 a year. Rent, utilities, phone and internet for my one-bedroom cost $22,200.
If we have the infrastructure, I can choose to drive my car less, but I will always choose to have a roof over my head. I hate driving to work. However, our government’s choices make us dependent on the automobile for daily life, and thus forced to spend absurd amounts on what should be a luxury item.
If politicians actually cared about the ordinary person, they would give us options to reduce car dependency (more bike lanes, better transit, etc.) and work to reduce the cost of necessities such as housing.
Makes dollars and sense to me!
