tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976144462093297473.post5923006757451368529..comments2024-03-18T23:58:46.484-04:00Comments on West Coast Stat Views (on Observational Epidemiology and more): Inessential Yglesias -- understanding the elasticity of oil demandJosephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10760453165301871031noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6976144462093297473.post-14875188995103721592011-04-29T08:44:22.999-04:002011-04-29T08:44:22.999-04:00I think we are closer than you think. I liked the...I think we are closer than you think. I liked the point that, even if gas taxes do not change use much then they are are still socially useful (to raise revenue). This was a good counterpoint to people like Megan McArdle who were arguing that because there was no elasticity that we should abandon the idea. Because if there is no elasticity then it is a perfect taxable good, so it'd still be good to tax.<br /><br />I think that you are arguing that it is implausible that they won't reduce demand, which I agree with. <br /><br />But it was just cool how, even if the poorly thought out research held up, that it would just create another (equally valid) reason for the tax. Anti-gas tax types really need a new argument. :-)Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10760453165301871031noreply@blogger.com