Raise U.S. Gasoline Taxes; Expand Mass Transit; Cut Gas Use

Why raise gasoline taxes? Many advocate suspending gasoline taxes while gas prices remain high in the U.S. I sympathize with the good intentions. Yet, I urge the opposite. Raise gas taxes.

The same supply and demand issues that led oil companies to increase prices and earn immense profits can be used to benefit the government and U.S. citizens.

Some Facts

Many oil companies earned huge profits in the first quarter of 2022 according to a Guardian article [1] and other sources. The Saudi Arabian company Saudi Aramco became “the world’s most valuable company” after its huge quarterly profits according to the Associated Press [2] and other news sources.

Retail gasoline prices in the United States have increased substantially because the supply is down and demand is high. Three gas stations near my Lexington, Kentucky, apartment on May 9th, 2022, advertised gas at the highest prices I've ever seen there: $4.29 per gallon for regular unleaded and $5.29 per gallon for diesel fuel, as shown in pictures of their signs.

Today, May 17th, 2022, AAA [3] reported a record high national average gasoline price of $4.523 per gallon, with diesel over $1 per gallon more.

Supply and Demand

Currently the supply of gasoline is down a bit (due to war in Ukraine, limited production by OPEC and other countries including the U.S., etc.). Demand remains high.

Until supply increases, persons need to reduce purchases. If it’s not done voluntarily, it will be done via (1) price increases, (2) rationing, or (3) stations running out of gas.

Maybe the best free market approach is to increase prices. Furthermore, instead of just oil companies raising prices to cut demand, I support raising gasoline taxes to increase federal tax revenue.

The higher taxes and thus higher retail gasoline prices, will lead to a decrease in demand. Decreased demand can lead oil companies to lower their prices.

Though for simplicity, I refer only to the gasoline tax, I support raising the tax on diesel fuel as well.

More Reasons Why Increasing the Gasoline Tax Makes Sense

Many problems with infrastructure have been mentioned in recent years. Bridges and roads need much maintenance and repair. In some areas we need new construction.

Furthermore, mass transit in the United States pales in comparison to the transit systems in several other countries. It could be partially funded by fuel tax increases.

The federal gasoline tax of 18.4 cents per gallon (and the diesel tax of 24.4 cents per gallon) have not increased since October 1, 1997 according to Table FE-1A on a Federal Highway Administration webpage [4]. Furthermore, the federal gasoline tax in the United States is much lower than that in many other countries, as shown on numerous websites. Indeed, almost all countries shown in a chart on CarScoops.com [5] have higher gasoline taxes than the U.S.

A gasoline tax increase could pay for much needed infrastructure repair. Furthermore, if part of the tax revenue is used to support mass transit (city and intercity bus systems, subways, intercity rail travel, air travel, etc.), it could encourage more people to use mass transit, thus reducing traffic congestion. Adding more sidewalks and bike lanes/paths would likely increase pedestrian and bicycle travel too.

It could be great if persons:

• use mass transit more,

• carpool more with trusted friends, neighbors, relatives, coworkers, etc.,

• bicycle more,

• walk more,

• and avoid unnecessary trips.

Fewer cars traveling fewer miles would lead to less pollution (as well as less wear-and-tear on highways). The increased exercise could help make us healthier.

Eventually we will run out of oil. But if we dramatically reduce our consumption of it now, it will be better for the environment. The production, transportation, and consumption of oil create a lot of pollution.

In addition, the huge production of oil from oil shale in recent years adds new environmental risks. The fracking process that is frequently used in producing oil from oil shale produces numerous small earthquakes and some damaging earthquakes, as noted by the USGS [6] and other sources.

Electric vehicles may be an alternative to gas and diesel-powered vehicles. But it will be at least a few years before electric vehicles are mass produced at affordable prices—and an electric grid supported by renewable energy sources adequate to recharge them exists.

Closing Thoughts

Tax increases are typically not popular with the public. But, we currently have a huge federal budget deficit. Furthermore, the deficit is expected to get worse due to infrastructure needs, increasing costs of Social Security and health care (Medicare, Medicaid, etc.) and other expenses.

Our transportation system needs major repairs according to many (most?) people. Therefore, it seems logical to get additional funding for fixing problems. Increasing taxes on gasoline (and diesel fuel) can help fund maintenance of highways and bridges.

A tax hike will hurt drivers, especially persons like truck drivers who travel thousands of miles annually in vehicles that get relatively poor fuel efficiency. But these drivers are already being impacted by current high prices. Better to have price hikes benefit the government and pay for needed projects for citizens than fill the coffers of oil companies.

Increasing taxes on gas and diesel fuels makes sense to me. The costs of maintaining and building highways have increased substantially since the tax was last increased in 1997. To generate revenue and to decrease demand for gasoline, the tax increase needs to be a large one. At least a 50 cents-per-gallon figure seems reasonable to me. Over the long term, I’d even support a significantly larger increase. Do you agree?

NOTE:

This article is adapted and updated from articles the author submitted to other websites in past years about raising the U.S. tax on gasoline.

ENDNOTES:

(1) Milman, Oliver; “Largest oil and gas producers made close to $100bn in first quarter of 2022”; Guardian; May 13, 2022; webpage accessed May 17, 2022; https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/may/13/oil-gas-producers-first-quarter-2022-profits

(2)Debre, Isabel; “Saudi oil giant Aramco’s first-quarter profits soar 80%”; Associated Press; May 15, 2022; webpage accessed May 17, 2022; https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-arab-emirates-saudi-arabian-oil-co-44809d786ae32adc178684a5ce3c6837

(3) “National Average Gas Prices”; AAA; May 17th, 2022; webpage accessed May 17, 2022; https://gasprices.aaa.com/

(4) “Federal Tax Rates on Motor Fuels and Lubricating Oil (1)” November 2021; U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration; page last modified November 16, 2021; webpage accessed May 17, 2022; https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2020/fe101a.cfm

(5) Chilton, Chris; “Which Countries Pay the Most and Least Tax on Their Gas”; CarScoops.com; April 10, 2022; webpage accessed May 17, 2022; https://www.carscoops.com/2022/04/which-countries-pay-the-most-and-least-tax-on-their-gas/

(6) “Does the production of oil and gas from shares cause earthquakes? If so, how are the earthquakes related to these operations?”; USGS; webpage accessed May 17, 2022; https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/does-production-oil-and-gas-shales-cause-earthquakes-if-so-how-are-earthquakes-related-these#:~:text=Fracking%20intentionally%20causes%20small%20earthquakes,a%20M4%20earthquake%20in%20Texas.

Gasoline Prices at Record High: Tips and Perspective

Yes, the U.S. has record high gas prices. The American Automobile Association[1] reported today, May 10th, 2022, that national gasoline prices have hit a record high.

Near where I live in Lexington, Kentucky, three gasoline stations all advertised regular unleaded gasoline for $4.29 a gallon and diesel fuel for $5.29 a gallon yesterday afternoon, May 9, 2022. See the photos of their signs.

That’s the highest price I’ve ever seen here in Lexington, Kentucky. Nationwide, the price is even higher according to the AAA figures.

Below I offer some suggestions for coping with gas prices and some perspective on them. .

Coping With the Prices

Ways to cope with the prices include:

* Eliminate or reduce unnecessary trips just for pleasure.

* Order deliveries of products instead of driving to stores; many supermarkets even offer free delivery for orders over a certain dollar amount.

* Combine trips to reduce the low efficiency car warmup period and to reduce driving over the same territory unnecessarily.

* Carpool with trustworthy coworkers, relatives, friends, neighbors, etc.

* Walk and/or bicycle when feasible.

* Use buses, passenger trains, trolleys, subways, etc., when and where feasible.

Some Perspective on the Prices.

1. Adjusted for inflation U.S. gasoline prices are not at record levels.

For example, adjusted for inflation, gas prices were much higher in 2008 when the price reached over $4 a gallon nationally and here in Lexington. Adjusted for inflation, that would be a price of over $5 a gallon now, according to a piece posted on the Washington Post [2] website last December, as well as other sources.

2. It’s better to pay high prices for gas than to not be able to buy it at all.

Back in the 1970s during the Middle East oil embargo many U.S. gasoline stations sold out of gas and others rationed it. Decreases in the supply and/or increases in the demand could lead to that again.

Increasing prices is one way to decrease demand so the supply doesn’t run out. When supply is limited at least one of three things typically happens: (1) prices rise, (2) purchases are rationed, or (3) supplies sell out. That’s a basic economic reality.

3. Temporarily suspending gasoline taxes would be wrong.

Though many state and federal officials are calling for suspending the federal gas tax and/or state taxes during this time of high prices, that makes little economic sense in some ways.

First of all, it wouldn’t stop oil companies from raising prices again to offset the price decrease resulting from elimination of the tax in order to make the supply-demand levels match (see #2 above).

Second, it would reduce federal revenue, adding to the government's huge budget deficit. It might actually be better to raise the tax to discourage consumption and increase revenue to the government for highway construction/maintenance, so the government gets the money instead of wealthy oil companies. Federal gasoline taxes haven’t increased since the 1990s according to the U.S. Department of Transportation [3] and other sources, while many other prices has increased, including the cost of maintaining bridges and roads.

4. Other prices are going up to.

Some other price hikes are larger than gasoline’s. Perhaps one reason we focus on gas prices if that they are typically posted prominently in large letters at service stations.

5. Diesel prices have increased more than gasoline.

This will lead to higher shipping costs for items delivered by vehicles using diesel fuel, costs that will likely be passed on to consumers. But recognize that the diesel fuel cost is only one component in the cost of goods sold by companies. Fuel prices aren't the only reason for inflation in the costs of products at the retail level. Shortages of truck drivers, warehouse workers, factory workers, etc., as well as COVID-19 lockdowns, and extra spending from stimulus checks are all factors. And gas-powered car drivers can sympathize with the diesel truck drivers while appreciating that gas prices aren’t increasing as much.

6.. Gas prices are much higher in many other countries of the world than in the United States as noted by the website GlobalPetrolPrices [4], and other sources. This is due to various reasons, including higher taxes in many other countries.

7 In Ukraine and some other parts of the world, residents face life-and-death problems much more severe than high gas prices. Ideally, we need to look at the big picture rather than selfishly focusing on our own issues.

Final Thoughts

Please seek to reduce unnecessary driving. Also, seek to put gas prices in perspective. They’re not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things.

Focusing on the positive can help avoid anger issues, blood pressure increases, and other health problems that can be far worse than the gas price increases.

Let’s seek to enjoy our blessings. For me those blessings include not owning a car with its various expenses (purchase price, gas, maintenance, repair, insurance, parking, etc.). I walk, bicycle, and use mass transit. Maybe many or at least some of you can too?

ENDNOTES:

1. “AAA Gas Prices”; webpage accessed May 10, 2022; https://gasprices.aaa.com/

2. Borenstein, Severin; “Gas prices aren't actually all that high”; Washington Post; December 2, 2021; webpage accessed May 10, 2022 https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/12/02/gas-prices-are-not-out-control/

3. “Federal Tax Rates on Motor Fuels and Lubricating Oil (1)”; November 2021; U.S. Department of Transportation; webpage accessed May 10, 2022; https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2020/fe101a.cfm

4. “Gas Prices, 02-May-2022”; GlobalPetrolPrices.com; webpage accessed May 10, 2022; https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/gasoline_prices/

Raise to 25 Minimum Age for Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Use in U.S.: Lower Legal BAC Max to 0.05%

The harmful effects of alcohol abuse and tobacco use are well known. A large percentage of those abusing them are young persons under age 25.

Most abusers of these products began using them before the age of 21 and certainly well before the age of 25. .

Human Brains Are Not Fully Developed Until Age 24 or 25
One reason for the poor judgment that leads to alcohol abuse among young persons is that persons’ brains are not fully developed until their mid20s. According to the Alcohol Pharmacology Education Partnership [1], “there is clear evidence that the brain does not mature fully until about age 24.”

“The rational part of a teen’s brain isn’t fully developed and won’t be until age 25 or so” according to the University of Rochester Medical Center [2].

Raising the minimum age for consuming alcoholic beverages to age 25 and raising the minimum age for tobacco use to age 25 would benefit young people enormously. This includes raising the age for using e-cigarettes to 25. Using e-cigarettes, also called vaping, is also very harmful, as noted numerous sources, including the CDC in “Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults [3].”

Alcohol abuse is high among college students, who are primarily under age 25. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [4] cites a national study as finding “almost 53 percent of full-time college students ages 18 to 22 drank alcohol in the past month and about 33 percent engaged in binge drinking during that same time frame.” .

Death, assaults, sexual assaults, and academic problems are some of the problems alcohol abuse among college students leads to according to collegedrinkingprevention.gov [5], citing studies linked to in its article.

Passing and enforcing a minimum age limit of 25 would stop a lot of college student alcohol abuse. If effectively enforced, it could also eliminate alcohol abuse by high school students as well as by high-school dropouts in their teens and early twenties.

Raising the minimum age for consuming tobacco and alcoholic beverages could do enormous good. But additional benefits can come from reducing the maximum legal blood alcohol concentration to 0.05% from the current 0.08% limit in the United States. .

Lower the Maximum Legal BAC to 0.05%
Negative effects of alcoholic beverages occur well below 0.08%, including negative impacts on driving, as reported by Michigan Medicine [6] and ePermitTest [7], as well as numerous other sources.

Many countries already have a BAC maximum limit of 0.05% or less including Canada, France, Germany, and Italy, as noted by various sources, including RUPissed.com [8] and drinkdriving.org [9].

Litter Is a Side Issue
In addition to the health risks from alcohol and tobacco use itself, one of the side problems is the litter generated by them. Studies indicate that cigarette butts are one of the most common items among litter. [10] The picture below shows cigarette butts beside a sidewalk along Virginia Avenue here in Lexington, Kentucky on September 28th, 2021.

Furthermore, empty cigarette packages and alcoholic beverage containers are high on the list of litter too. I know I often see smoldering cigarette butts on the sidewalk or ground, as well as empty cigarette packages and alcoholic beverage containers--often broken beer bottles. Smoldering cigarette butts sometimes start fires. Broken glass bottles can cut persons or tires on vehicles.

Raising the age to begin consuming such products and effectively enforcing the age limit could reduce this litter, and thus reduce the accompanying risks of fires and cuts caused by the poor judgment of individuals.

Closing Thoughts
Raising the minimum age for consuming alcoholic beverages and using tobacco to 25 might prevent persons from ever starting to consume alcoholic beverages or use tobacco products. By age 25 the more-fully-developed brains and better judgment of young persons might lead them to conclude that the risks of using such products are not worth it. I certainly hope so.

ENDNOTES:

[1] “Content: Brain Maturation is Complete at About 24 Years of Age”; The Alcohol Pharmacology Education Partnership; https://sites.duke.edu/apep/module-3-alcohol-cell-suicide-and-the-adolescent-brain/content-brain-maturation-is-complete-at-about-24-years-of-age/

[2] “Understanding the Teen Brain”; University of Rochester Medical Center; https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3051

[3] “Quick Facts on the Risks of E-Cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults”; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; webpage last reviewed August 25th, 2021; https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html

[4] “College Drinking”; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; The quote I took from the article is referenced by an endnote in that article to the SAMSHA article cited below from their footnote. [SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Statistics and Quality. 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Table 6.21B—Types of Illicit Drug, Tobacco Product, and Alcohol Use in Past Month among Persons Aged 18 to 22, by College Enrollment Status and Gender: Percentages, 2018 and 2019. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29394/NSDUHDetailedTabs2019/NSDUHDetTabsSect6pe2019.htm#tab6-21b. Accessed January 11, 2021.] That date accessed is the date the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism accessed the SAMSHA article. It was September 2021 when I accessed it via the link from the website below. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/college-drinking

[5] “College Drinking—Facts for Parents”; CollegeDrinkingPrevention.gov; https://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/parentsandstudents/parents/FactSheets/ParentFactSheet.aspx

[6] Uren, Brad, M.D.; “How Alcohol Impairs Your Ability to Drive”; Michigan Health; July 29, 2016; https://healthblog.uofmhealh.org/wellness-prevention/how-alcohol-impairs-your-ability-to-drive

[7] “The Effects of Alcohol on Your Driving Skills: Minimizing Driving Risks”; ePermitTest; updated November 21, 2020; https://www.epermittest.com/drivers-education/effects-alcohol-your-driving-skills

[8] Blood Alcohol Content Driving Limits By Country”; RUPissed; https://www.rupissed.com/blood_alcohol_limits.html

[9] “International BAC (blood alcohol concentration) Limits”; DrinkDriving.org; https://www.drinkdriving.org/worldwide_drink_driving_limits.php

[10] “Tobacco and the Environment”; truthinitiative.org; https://truthinitiative.org/sites/default/files/media/files/2021/03/Truth_Environment%20FactSheet%20Update%202021_final_030821.pdf

NOTE: This article was last revised on September 29th, 2021.

Solar Energy, Including Solar Cars, May Be the Way of the Future

I envision solar energy as the way of the future. I even expect the majority of cars to be solar-powered.

I admit that I may be dreaming. But there seems to be increasing support for solar power, which is becoming more practical.

What About Fossil Fuels?
Use of fossil fuels like coal, oil, natural gas, and gasoline is likely to decline dramatically in coming years. Indeed, their use is already declining. One reason: the pollution incurred by their production, transportation, and consumption. Another reason: their limited supply.

What About Alternatives to Fossil Fuels Other Than Solar Energy?
Solar energy is not the only alternative fuel source that can replace fossil fuels. Nuclear energy, wind power, and hydroelectric power are also in use and being considered for expanded use.

But nuclear energy is arguably much more dangerous than other fuel sources, including fossil fuels. Past accidents like the 1979 partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, the 1986 disaster at Chernobyl in Ukraine , and the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan that followed an earthquake are examples. The need to store radioactive nuclear waste may be an even larger problem--a huge one. The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission states “the only way radioactive waste finally becomes harmless is through decay, which for high-level wastes can take hundreds of thousands of years.”

Wind power requires turbines that take up a lot of space and kill enormous numbers of birds. Furthermore, they only work when the wind is blowing. Some areas seldom receive significant winds.

Hydroelectric power is useful in certain areas. For example, Norway generates most of its electricity this way. But relatively few places seem to have water resources suitable for safely producing hydroelectric power in large quantities. Altering water flow for electricity generation affects the environment, droughts impact water availability, and some areas lack much water to start with.

How About Solar Energy?
The sun offers an enormous potential amount of energy that can be used for solar-power. The cost of solar panels has dropped enormously in recent years. Economies of scale can lead to further huge decreases in upcoming years. And solar power is already price-competitive with other energy sources in some areas.

A weakness of solar energy is that it doesn’t work at night when the sun isn’t shining. During times like the twilight before dawn in the photo taken the morning of September 7th, 2021 of part of the Lexington, Kentucky skyline below, solar power would not be generated. And the electric lines in the photo, like others in Lexington, are powered entirely or almost entirely by fossil fuels, which remain the #1 source of energy generation here in Kentucky.

N95 Masks: Some Benefits, Risks/Weaknesses, Etc.

Persons in the general public are wearing N95 masks much more in recent months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because of increased production and supply, the masks can now be purchased easily by the general public. Early in the pandemic persons were urged to not purchase them to save the limited supply for medical professionals.

Benefits
The current touted main benefit of course is protection against many particles of COVID-19. But N95 masks also help protect against transmission of the flu and many other diseases, as well as dust. N95 masks offer more protection than cloth masks. According to an OSHA webpage (1) , “When worn properly (with the mask making a tight seal with the user’s face), surgical N95 masks can filter at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) test particles.”

Risks/Weaknesses
But there are risks and weaknesses. A study found (2) that wearing facemasks for long periods often produced “headaches, rash, acne, skin breakdown, and impaired cognition.”

For one thing, wearing the masks does make breathing more difficult. Furthermore, wearing them offers significant health risks for certain at-risk groups. For example, a study linked to on the National Institutes of Health website (3) discusses the risks to persons with COPD of wearing N95 masks.

An article in The Atlantic (4) questions whether the benefits of masking children outweigh the risks.

Furthermore, the N95 masks by definition only remove at least 95% of particles of a particular size. And the letter N in N95 indicates the masks do not protect against such things as oil. P95 masks protect against oil. No mask is 100% effective.

Wearing N95 Masks
N95 masks come in different sizes. For one to work properly, it has to be the right size for an individual’s face and needs to be put on properly. Furthermore, it’s nice to have clean hands when attaching the mask.

The OSHA website includes videos (5) about fit testing for N95 respirators. Since N95 masks made by different companies often differ in design, company websites often provide specific guidance too. For example, a Prestige Ameritech webpage (6) provides links to information about sizing and applying its ProGear® N95 respirator masks. That happens to be the type I purchased, and below is a photo of a box containing some of those masks, as well as a photo of an individual mask. But there are numerous other companies making the masks, and I am not affiliated with Prestige Ameritech in any way.

N99 and N100 Masks
In addition to N95 masks, there are N99 and N100 mask which protect respectively against 99% and 99.97% of the particles that the N95 is 95% effective against. But these masks are more expensive than N95 masks, likely harder to breathe through, and wearers likely experience side effects of wearing them that are more severe than those from wearing an N95 mask.

Cleaning and Reusing N95 Masks
While N95 masks are considered to be disposable, single-use devices, there are procedures for cleaning and reusing them. as noted in a study linked to on the National Institutes of Health website (7) .

Closing Thoughts
I’m not a medical professional and can give no medical advice. But I feel each individual needs to carefully consider the benefits and risks of wearing an N95 mask versus wearing just a cloth one or not wearing a mask.

Personally, I typically wear an N95 mask now while riding on my city’s bus system and while visiting the grocery or public library. However, at my workplace which seems to be well ventilated and where I seek to maintain social distancing, I normally still wear a cloth mask with three layers. Wearing an N95 mask for four hours or longer at work seems like a lot. I do feel the pressure on the bridge of my nose and my face from the tighter fit and a bit more difficulty breathing while wearing it. But I do feel that for me its benefits outweigh its risks when social distancing isn’t easy.

ENDNOTES:
(1) “OSHA Requirements for Occupational Use of N95 Masks in Healthcare”; April 18th, 2020; https://oshareview.com/2020/04/osha-requirements-for-occupational-use-of-n95-respirators-in-healthcare/; webpage accessed September 3rd, 2021

(2) Rosner, Elisheva; “Adverse Effects of Prolonged mask Use among Healthcare Professionals during COVID-19”; Journal of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology; Volume 6, Issue 3; https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/jide/journal-of-infectious-diseases-and-epidemiology-jide-6-130.php?jid=jide; webpage accessed September 3rd, 2021

(3) Kyung, Sun Young; Kim, Yujin; Hwang, Hyunjoong; Park, Jeong-Woong; and Jeong, Sung Hwan; “Risks of N95 Face Mask Use in Subjects with COPD;” Respiratory Care; 2020 May;65(5):658-664. doi: 10.4187/respcare.06713. Epub 2020 Jan 28., https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31992666/; accessed on a webpage of the National Institutes of Health September 3rd, 2021

(4) Prasad, Vinay; “The Downsides of Masking Young Students Are Real”; The Atlantic; September 2nd, 2021; https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/09/school-mask-mandates-downside/619952/ Webpage accessed September 3rd, 2021

(5) “Respiratory Protection: Respiratory Protection Training Videos”; Occupational Safety and Health Administration; https://www.osha.gov/respiratory-protection/training; webpage accessed September 3rd, 2021

(6) “N95 Instructional Videos”; Prestige Ameritech website; https://www.prestigeameritech.com/n95-videos; webpage accessed September 3rd, 2021

(7) Juang, Pascal S. C. and Tsai, Peter; “N95 Respirator Cleaning and Reuse Methods Proposed by the Inventor of the N95 Mask Material”; Journal of Emergency Medicine; 2020 May; 58(5): 817–820. Published online 2020 Apr 16. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2020.04.036; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7161499/; accessed on webpage of National Instututes of Health September 3rd, 2021

Make U.S. Mass Transit Much Better

Large numbers of low-income persons in the United States devote much of their money toward paying for personal automobiles, which they seem to consider virtually a necessity.

Automobiles are a big chunk of the budget for typical middle-class individuals too.

A key reason is that United States mass transit pales in comparison to that of many other developed nations. It seems sad that many poor persons own cars. Often persons consider them a necessity to get to and from work, buy groceries, etc.

Low-Income Persons Buying and Driving Unsafe, Undependable Cars
Frequently persons with relatively limited income buy and drive vehicles with defective brakes and other problems that make them unsafe and undependable. These persons endanger the safety of themselves and others. Furthermore, they spend money they might better use for other things like food, rent, healthcare, etc., on cars. These folks need alternatives.

Cities and Towns
A much-improved mass transit system would enable the majority of car owners in cities and towns to either do away with their cars or to drive them much less.

Subways, buses, passenger trains, and even ships on waterways are alternatives or potential alternatives to driving automobiles that typically carry only one or a few people.

Walking and bicycling is good exercise and can work for many short trips.

Carpooling with relatives or friends is another alternative. Furthermore, occasionally taking a taxicab, Uber, or Lyft is cheaper than owning a car fulltime.

Also, some employers (especially temp agencies) even provide transportation for employees to and from work. But I think riding on mass transit with an experienced, professionally trained driver is better, other things being equal.

In addition to employers offering transportation for employees, some organizations often provide transportation to and from medical appointments, etc.

Improving mass transit such as subways and buses in large cities is important. In the United States, New York City is probably the only major city where mass transit dominates over cars convincingly.

Lexington, Kentucky where I live is a city of over 300,000 people. It is blessed with a reasonably good bus system by U.S. standards. The bus system is called Lextran, and pictures below show a few Lextran buses and the Lexington Transit Center hub.
But in order to get the vast number of persons in my city who drive cars to switch to buses, my city's bus service might need to run much more frequently and to many more areas.

Improving bus service in smaller cities and towns than Lexington is important too. These smaller areas currently often have limited or no mass transit.

The first two photos show one of Lextran's buses. The last photo shows a few of the city's buses at the Lextran hub which is located downtown.

City bus systems like Lextran with their fleets of buses are leaders in the switch from diesel and gasoline to alternatives. Though the majority of Lextran buses may still be diesel powered, my city's buses include some diesel-electric hybrid ones, some powered by compressed natural gas, and some electric buses that charge at charging stations.

Dependable, frequent bus service is a key to winning over car drivers to riding buses. Providing local buses that travel the streets of cities and smaller communities frequently, accompanied by intercity buses to get to large cities, can alleviate the need for personal cars for many.

Traveling may not be needed at all for many purchases. Ordering online from Amazon, Walmart, etc., is an alternative. Also, many businesses, including some groceries and restaurants, offer deliveries via third parties such as Instacart.®

Servicing Rural Areas
Mass transit may not be economical in rural areas. But rural residents can receive many deliveries via USPS, UPS, and other delivery services that pick up and deliver groceries, etc., to homes.

Furthermore, rural residents can use alternative methods of transportation to get to towns where mass transit exists. For example, expanded availability of taxicabs, Uber, and Lyft may make it possible for even persons in relatively isolated areas to ditch their cars.

Rural residents can also carpool or ride with a neighbor or relative to the nearest town for shopping. Furthermore, after they get a ride to a town, in that town they can make a connection for a local bus or an intercity bus to go elsewhere.

Persons far away from their nearest town, nearest relative, or nearest neighbor may face the toughest time. For these persons a personal vehicle may almost be a necessity. But these individuals constitute a relatively small portion of the population. Most United States residents live in or near a town or city.

Pollution
Using mass transit can greatly reduce pollution. Enormous pollution is caused by automobiles despite efforts to improve gas mileage efficiency and the elimination of leaded gas.

More pollution is caused by the production, transportation, and use of the materials in the building of automobiles.

Electric-powered cars with batteries that are charged from the electric grid may overwhelm an electric grid that is already strained in many areas. Additionally, the charging of these vehicles often consumes electricity that is generated from fossil fuels that pollute.

Personal vehicles may become more environmentally friendly over the long term. For example, solar-powered electric vehicles that need no charging from the electric grid may become economically feasible. But that time appears to be far off. In the short term, person autos are likely to be polluting the environment in one way or another.

The least polluting forms of travel may be walking and bicycling. They provide exercise and are a great alternative to motorized vehicles for short trips. But in inclement weather such travel is tough, and transporting a family or large purchases isn’t reasonable while bicycling or walking.

Time and Space
Using mass transit can save time and space in addition to saving money. The average commuter devotes much time to driving in traffic on congested streets and highways or on long drives in less congested areas.

Furthermore, a lot of space is used to park these automobiles in home driveways, garages, and parking lots for workplaces, shopping centers, airports, etc. Much money is expended on the purchases, construction, and maintenance of these parking areas too.

By contrast, while riding a bus, subway, Amtrak train, taxicab, Uber, Lyft, or riding with coworkers, friends, or neighbors, one can talk to fellow passengers, read, enjoy the scenery, write, or listen to or watch something on your cell phone using headphones. That seems more fun than driving and dealing with traffic, parking, etc.

Savings on Highway Construction
Enormous sums of money are spent on expanding highways to accommodate increasing numbers of vehicles. If more persons use mass transit, it will reduce the need for highway expansion. This savings can pay for part of the cost of expanding mass transit. The cost of highway construction and maintenance varies widely depending on numerous factors, but it may cost millions of dollars per mile to build a new highway or widen an existing one.

Paying for Expanded Mass Transit
As mentioned in the last paragraph, the reduced expenditures on highway construction and expansion can pay for a significant part of the cost of mass transit.

Raising taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel is another way to help pay for such mass transit. U.S. taxes on such fuels are much lower than in many other countries.

As the trend toward purchasing private electric vehicles accelerates, a tax on the purchase of the vehicles and perhaps a tax on electricity could help subsidize mass transit while discouraging the purchase and driving of private vehicles.

These taxes are a way to help compensate for the environmental damage caused by private vehicles in addition to paying for mass transit.

Me in My Early College Years and My Grandparents for a Lifetime Doing Without Driving a Car
Mass transit used to be much more widespread in the United States.

My grandparents lived in relatively small towns all their lives. But as far as I know neither my maternal nor paternal grandparents ever drove a car. They depended on buses, passenger trains, walking, riding with friends or relatives, deliveries of goods to their homes by businesses, etc.

Furthermore, I remember while in college some decades ago that I rode a Greyhound bus from Lexington to a small town in southeastern Kentucky, then my parents picked me up there and drove me the remaining 30-40 miles to the family home in Jenkins. Years before that Greyhound even served Jenkins.

It’s been years now since Greyhound cancelled all service to southeastern Kentucky. But I support reinstating it, as well as service to many other areas. Additionally, with expansions to Uber and Lyft, it could be feasible to get to and from most places in the country without owning a car.

Dealing With Some Other Disadvantages of Mass Transit
Some persons fear the transmission of COVID-19 or other diseases while riding mass transit. But Greyhound, Amtrak, and commercial jets all apparently have ventilation systems that replace the onboard air every five minutes or less. Persons can wear a facemask for extra protection, indeed facemasks are currently required for travel on such transit in the United States.

Another problem is emergency travel when mass transit is not operating. If a person needs to travel to a hospital or evacuate at say 3 a.m. when mass transit is likely not operating in most areas, that is a difficulty. However, very few such emergencies occur. Furthermore, in cases of mass evacuation traffic jams, gas stations without fuel, damaged roads, etc., likely make automobile use unsatisfactory unless you leave in advance. And if you leave in advance, mass transit may be available.

Closing Thoughts
I confess that I lack the expertise to discern how cost effective and feasible it is to design and implement a quality mass transit system in the United States.

But it seems a terrible waste the way persons in the United States devote so much time, money, and materials to a transportation system that pollutes the environment so much.

We might be happier, healthier, and enjoy more free time if we devoted less time and money to purchasing, driving, and maintaining personal automobiles that sit idle for perhaps 150 or 155 of the 168 hours in a week.

I support improving mass transit. How about you?

Afghanistan May Be Better Off Under Taliban Than U.S. Military Rule

Afghanistan may be better off under the Taliban than being basically under United States military rule for approximately the last 20 years.

Furthermore, the rapid and relatively peaceful transfer of power to the Taliban seems to have gone surprisingly well so far. Relatively few deaths occurred during fighting. This is preferable to a civil war erupting--or perhaps more accurately an escalation of a civil war that has been going on for years. Maybe now the nation can experience a form of peace, relatively speaking.

Despite the United States spending over 2 trillion dollars directly and indirectly between 2001 and now on the war in Afghanistan according to a Brown University analysis, the U.S.-backed government obviously lacked the ability and/or willingness to control the Taliban or the country. An Associated Press article August 17th, 2021 discusses the costs and effects of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. I strongly agree with President Joe Biden that delaying withdrawal months or years would have been counterproductive.

The ease with which the Taliban fighters took control of cities, the negotiated surrenders of city officials, and the apparent acceptance of the Taliban provide at least circumstantial evidence of significant support for them. This is preferable to the violence and virtual civil war that has been occurring.

The future of Afghanistan is uncertain though. Indeed, fear of the Taliban may be a factor in the surrender of Afghan forces. Later in the article I discuss some serious weaknesses of the Taliban, weaknesses you've likely read about elsewhere. And though the Taliban controls most of the country, as of August 18th, 2021, Reuters reports that Panjshir province is not controlled by the Taliban.

Who’s to Blame for U.S. Failures in Afghanistan?
The United States military deserves credit for its efforts in Afghanistan. Praises to the many brave, dedicated soldiers who sought to do correctly. But the mission is still an overall failure as I see it.

Four United States Presidents have served in office during the United States war in Afghanistan. Many will blame President Joe Biden for his withdrawal plan. Others will blame President Donald Trump for setting up a withdrawal plan or President Barack Obama for his failure to solve the problem.

But in my view, the primary responsibility lies with President George W. Bush. He erred in embarking on the war in Afghanistan. The money, materials, and manpower could have been much better spent.

Bush’s main goal apparently was the capture of Osama Bin Laden. However, a small group of Special Forces that learned the language and culture of Afghans, became assimilated to them and their nation, and achieved camaraderie with the local people and warlords could likely have found Osama Bin Laden quicker and with fewer problems, less loss of innocent civilian lives, as well as fewer U.S. military casualties.

The difficult terrain of the landlocked country and the tribal nature of its culture would make it difficult for even a superb central government to control the nation. It was probably not realistic to expect the Taliban rulers to locate, capture, and turn over Bin Laden to the United States. And while that Taliban government couldn’t effectively control the entire nation, Afghanistan’s central government of the last twenty years under U.S. leadership seemed to offer far less control.

Taliban’s Former Rule in Afghanistan and Its Future Rule
During its former rule before U.S. intervention in 2001, the Taliban took actions to establish a form of law and order in the country, as well as providing some services. But it was guilty of excesses and abuses. Its regime seemed repressive by U.S. standards. Its treatment of women was especially harsh. Still, unless or until we have an international police force to enforce a set of standard international laws, legal international action within a country is limited.

A USA Today article is one of many offering a timeline for several events in Afghanistan's history in the last several decades.

Women’s Rights
The Taliban’s treatment of women during its former rule was a bit like that of Judaism outlined in the Bible’s Old Testament that Jews no longer follow, a radical distorted form of Islam, and to a lesser degree similar to that of the United States a few centuries ago when women couldn’t vote, were often homemakers focused on raising a family, and some women accused of witchcraft were tried, convicted, and murdered.

Furthermore, if the United States seeks to condemn the Taliban for its treatment of women, it would do well to do the same for Saudi Arabia, which has committed some of the same abuses. However, Saudi Arabia seems to gradually be changing. Maybe the Taliban is or will too. Of course, Saudi Arabia’s oil wealth enables its residents to enjoy benefits that those of relatively poor Afghanistan lack.

The Taliban claims it will not take as drastic action as in the past, and changes will not come suddenly, as reported by CNN and other news sources. During Taliban rule 1996-2001 women were required to wear burkas/burqas in public, which covered basically their entire body, with a screen in front of the eyes to see through. Still, there are already signs of requiring women to wear hijabs, but the hijab can be a head covering that is more like a scarf, less conceiling than burqas.

The London Guardian and other news sources reported about the Taliban's first news conference after the takeover, which was held August 17th, 2021. In it the Taliban promised forgiveness to enemies, as well as some rights for women and the media, but noted limitations on these rights and freedoms. But the Taliban does seem to support education and work for women now. And the Taliban is committing to not allowing terrorists to operate from Afghanistan.

U.S. History in Afghanistan and Some Other Places
The United States has a long history of negative impacts on Afghanistan, including military aid that benefited Osama Bin Laden, whom one prominent U.S. official called a “freedom fighter” when he was fighting against the Russians. The U.S. even paid for textbooks for schoolchildren that urged the children to fight against the Russians.

U.S. military actions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, and several other places have done more harm than good. Iraq is basically in a civil war. Vietnam experienced enormous tragedy after our withdrawal from there.

Aftger a terrible transition period, Vietnam has experienced significant success. The same can happen in Afghanistan--hopefully with a far less tragic transition period. Lowering the U.S. Flag
Lowering the United States flag from the United States embassy in Kabul and the burning of U.S. flags and other materials by embassy personnel served as a symbol of the United States withdrawal from the country. Indeed, the widespread U.S. military forces, symbolized by U.S. flags similar to the one in Lexington, Kentucky that I photographed years ago near the courthouses that is shown below, were likely a negative influence among the many Afghans who did not want outsiders to control their country, and among those who suffered abuses at the hands of the U.S. military.

I hope over the long term the U.S. retains an embassy in the country, maybe in the same building it was in until days ago if it survives the transition period. But for the short term, removal of U.S. flags from the embassy is the correct decision.

Early Indications of How the Taliban Will Rule
It is too early to tell how the Taliban will rule Afghanistan this time. There have been reports of at least a few Afghans killed. But it is not known if these killings are sanctioned by Taliban leaders or just isolated incidents by Taliban fighters not controlled by leaders or by persons posing as Taliban.

Chaos has occurred at the Kabul airport and near it as thousands of persons seek to flee. Efforts by the United States and the Taliban to limit access to the airport have led to injuries, some severe. Video footage apparently showed persons seeking to rush onto a U.S. aircraft leaving the Kabul airport, and one or more persons hanging onto the aircraft and then apparently plunging to death from it onto the ground, as the jet took off. But controlling a mob of persons isn't easy.

Whether or not the fear many Afghans show toward the Taliban is justified remains to be seen. However, there are reports of Taliban going door-to-door seeking out persons who helped U.S. and NATO military forces.

A USA Today "Fact Check" article August 20th, 2021 sought to separate out some of the false information from the truth about the Taliban takeover. An August 21, 2021 New York Times piece discusses some of the ongoing events in Afghanistan.

Closing Thoughts
It’s time to seek to end destructive military actions by the United States. Our nation needs to respond in a more humanitarian way. We need no more gun toting Americans seeking to impose U.S. selfish interests by force.

Some years ago when I asked one U.S. military veteran who had served in the Middle East if he or many of the other U.S. soldiers had learned the language of the country they were in, he replied no, but that when U.S. soldiers pointed their guns at the residents they got the message. They likely did. And when the Taliban provided a form of law and order during its reign a couple of decades ago they got a message too. Despite its mistreatment of women by U.S. and international standards, the Taliban did provide structure and a form of law. Of course, I oversimplify things. The United States military performed many, many humanitarian actions in Afghanistan, and the Taliban has a history of abuses, including harsh laws in general--in addition to its mistreatment of women.

However, the Taliban in recent days seems to have enjoyed a manifest destiny superior to that of the U.S. white savages that stole land from Native American Indians, started war with Mexico and acquired more land, and enslaved African-Americans to do much of the manual labor on their farms, etc.

Recent news reports cite the Taliban as stating it will allow nonprofit organizations to continue their humanitarian work, allow embassies to stay open, seek to prevent outside terrorist groups from basing in the country, offer amnesty to those who opposed them, and oppose terrorism. They also stated they will support women’s rights, though they didn’t provide a lot of specifics on what they meant by those women’s rights.

Time will tell whether the Taliban has learned enough from past experience to rule constructively.

Various news organizations including BusinessInsider report that the United States has frozen approximately 9 or 10 billiion dollars of Afghan assets in the United States. The desire to get those assets unfrozen gives the Taliban extra incentive to be on good behavior.

I confess that I have never served in the military, nor have I ever traveled outside the United States. My views are based on what I've read, heard, and seen via news reports. But, as I see it, it is apparent that the United States involvement has not been nearly as effective as desired. Our withdrawal is a wise move. And President Biden stated August 16th, in a public speech to the nation, the United States will still seek to provide humanitarian aid, and to combat terrorism in various places as situations arise. And if the Taliban behaves well, they can obtain good international relations and presumably get back the frozen assets.

NOTE: This article was last revised August 21st, 2021.