Alan, you'd better get used to paying more for things like energy. It's just a sensible policy if you want a better life for everyone. The Germans have learned that, and they have arguably a better life than Americans.
Americans pay some of the lowest prices in the western world for vehicle fuel. Americans also have some of the worst-maintained roads in the western world -- a sure sign of poor governance, formerly the sole province of the third world and TinPot dictatorships. If you want to fix the potholes, you're going to have to pony up.
Same thing for renewables. It's gonna cost us all more, even you, but it's worth it. Just ask the younger generations.
You may not be familiar with US taxes. But we pay very high taxes in gasoline that are supposed to be used for maintaining the roads. Much of that money however goes for redistribution. It pays for other social benefits. There also a joke, mainly true, that the George Washington Bridge joining New Jersey and New York State has been paid for 50 times with the tolls it's collected since it was built. It now costs $14 to drive a car into NYC. $0 when you drive from NYC to NJ. I guess they want people to leave and never come back.
Again, much of this money goes to social welfare. Unfortunately, my government wastes enormous amounts of money. Actually, the roads aren't that bad. Sure there are potholes, worse in snow areas in the north. And in heavily congested municipal areas like NYC. Roads are better in the warmer south and even in northern suburban areas. There are also variables depending on which of the 50 states you live in as much of the cost for road repair is paid by the states, not the federal government.
Vehicle fuel may be cheaper here. But we drive more than in let's say Europe due to longer distances and suburban living. So total costs per year are about the same. By the way, Canadian gasoline costs are a little more expensive than America's but a lot less than Europe's too. I believe you have longer driving distances like us.
