"Gasoline prices are like a hidden tax on the working people"

The title is a quote from our president, speaking today at a renewable energy conference.

Look, it's not a tax, and it's not hidden. People who buy their own gas see it every time they fill up. By that definition, everything would be a hidden tax. Bread, milk, beer, water.

When you do the math, some people are spending a whole lot of their money on gas, and you can bet they don't think it's "hidden":

It turns out that the average household uses about 1100 gallons of gasoline per year and has an average income of about $44,000. Take out 20% for taxes and that's a disposable income of $35,000.

So at two bucks a gallon that means the average household spends 6% of its disposable income on gasoline. At three bucks a gallon it's more like 10%. And that's only the average.

So it's great to see our president suddenly interested in keeping down gas prices, I just wonder if if he's seen this chart that ties his popularity rating to the price at the pump?

(chart link via robotwisdom)