I know what you're thinking: Oh, God, another blog about gas.

However, I have been disappointed by all the ideological arguments about this topic, with very little in the way of data, facts, or reason.  I am not an economist, but I am a financial analyst who shares responsibility for managing a $750 million portfolio at a private, non-profit foundation.  So crunching economic data is not unfamiliar to me.  My purpose in this piece is not to advocate for or against the tax, although I may let an opinion out here and there.

Rather, I would like to present you with some data, so that you can put these rampant talking points into the context of real facts.  Please be warned: this is a long, substantive document.  It will be boring to anyone who insists only on spin and drama.

There's more...