April 30, 2008 10:20 AM

Did you know that in the U.K. gas costs $10.00 a gallon?

Which is the equivalent of $8.40 for the smaller U.S. gallon. Two potential presidential candidates are currently proposing temporary cuts in gas tax for the summer, a move which economists say will ultimately benefit only oil companies. The other candidate is totally opposed to this measure. In this particular case it's easy to weigh up either stance, but how do you normally wade through the rhetoric on tax policy and evaluate a candidate's position, be it at federal or state level?

United for a Fair Economy, a group we're supporting on the 2008 ballot, has newly created action tools for evaluating candidates on taxes. They contain short descriptions and definitions of key progressive principles and sample questions that can be asked in research on candidates' proposals and positions.

But back to some perspective on gas prices, and something to think about. To all the Europeans who'll visit this country in the summer (if they can afford the air fare, but that's another story) $4 a gallon is going to seem like a really screaming deal.