Truly Inexplicable -- January 11, 2015

I agree with the writer. Investor's Business Daily is reporting:

It's shocking that Republicans, who won the last election by promising limited government and lower taxes, would in their first week back in power make noises about joining tax-and-spend liberal Democrats to raise the 18-cents-a-gallon gas tax. But that's exactly what they're doing.

Suddenly, a number of Republicans — who should all know better — are saying they'll "consider" a gasoline tax hike, especially if paired with something they want badly. A hike in the gas tax, they say, could "finance" other things — like a big-spending transportation bill, or even corporate tax cuts.

A headline in The Hill captures it perfectly: "Momentum builds in Congress for raising the federal gas tax."

Well, if the GOP is serious about being a party of limited government and low taxes, it shouldn't raise gasoline taxes; it should cut spending.

And don't tell voters you can't cut.

If they refuse, they shouldn't expect to be re-elected in 2016. The GOP's 2016 "wave" will crash. We're pretty sure of this since our own IBD/TIPP Poll, just finished on Thursday, asked 867 adults if they support or oppose a gas-tax hike. Fully 59% oppose it, while just 34% support it. Among Republicans, 70% are opposed and just 24% in support. Are you listening, GOP?

Fix the transportation funding bill; don't increase taxes.