Fuel-efficiency-come-lately

Many economists will use this article as proof that the market can effectively regulate fuel efficiency. Prices are up, and demand for efficiency rises. Unfortunately, the economists will miss a few points:

• For the poorest Americans, a tripling of gas prices (as has nearly happened since 2000) creates a disproportionate burden on poor families, who have little discretionary income to cover them.
  
• It overlooks what we could have done with a sizable gas tax in 2000, driving fuel use down and banking the money for mass transit and car-alternatives to save even more fuel, as well as providing people with transportation options.
  
• If nothing else, we could have used the extra money to help balance the budget.

In other words, I'm delighted to see that people are turned on to more fuel efficient vehicles. It's just too bad we've waited until those high pump prices mean more money for Saudi madrasahs instead of American metrorails.