A bold President would do it. Only a very stupid candidate would.
Secondly, I am not convinced that the Pigou logic applies here. Liquor and the time of day you run errands our whatnot is very selective. Having to be at work at 8am is not. No matter how painful you make it to the driver, they will still have to be at work at 8am. You’re just simply taking money from the consumer and giving it to the government to spend at their disctretion, which does not guarantee anyhing is done to solve the problem. See the tobacco settlements for the perfect illustration of why I don’t think this idea works. I think McCain’s suggestion is purely pandering to the voters, so it’s not like I’m defending him. I just don’t think higher taxes on stuff we HAVE to have solves anything. It never has in the past, so there is no justification to say it will in the future. All that will happen is people will buy fewer and fewer luxury and entertainment items ( and more efficient vehicles ) until a real alternative is presented.
