As the Indiana and North Carolina primaries approach, Eagleionline is curious what our readers think about one of the hottest issues on the campaign trail: a halt to the 18-cent per gallon gasoline tax.  Of the three major candidates, two — Senator John McCain (R) and Senator Hillary Clinton (D) — have come out in favor in a temporary gas tax “holiday.”

Economists and environmentalists have come out steadfastly against the gas tax holiday, noting that it would stimulate gasoline demand at the expense of the environment, and would likely do little to reduce gasoline consumption.  As the New York Times noted:

An open letter signed recently by more than 100 economists said the proposed tax holiday would do little to reduce gas prices. In part, that is because a fall in prices would lead to more demand, which would cause prices to return to their earlier level. The result would be that overseas oil-producing governments would get money now flowing to the United States government in gas taxes.

 
Senator McCain has similarly derided opposition to his gas tax proposal, linking it to the policies of “Washington insiders.”

Of the major candidates, only Senator Barack Obama has opposed the gas tax halt, calling it a “Shell game” (pun intended).

So, Eagleionline readers: what say you?