Half of America supports a gas tax?

A fuel tax to fund alternative fuel research?

According to a survey released by the Civil Society Institute "more than half of Americans would support higher gasoline taxes if the money went to research into alternative fuels." (CNN)

I say, what a silly study.

While I favor a gasoline tax, I think the revenues derived from the tax should go only to consumers whom purchase hybrid cars, electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars, clean diesel vehicles, etc. Instead of using a gasoline tax to fund research, simply leave alternative fuels exempt from the tax. Thus, alternative fuels become more price competitive.

Giving tax revenue to fund research sounds too much like pork to me. Give it to 'the people', not to the people whom are owed political favors.