Taxes on the other hand are an essential part of the price of fuel that we consume. If it weren't for taxes how else would we build roads? Should we all possess an RFID tag like EZ pass and get a bill at the end of the month for our use of the highways? I think if we are to add into the mix of consumption, conservation, then a tax that is variable with consumption (the more one uses, the more one pays regardless of the mileage on roads driven, ie., gas guzzlers pay more) which in the long run may curb wasteful consumption. I agree. Theoretically, however, one could make the argument that oil is very heavily subsidized by the State Deparment/Military/Foregin Aid budgets, so that one could reduce taxes on domestically produced energy and/or increase taxes on middle east energy.