Is it time to mention the unmentionable? A gas tax!

There seems to be a slight problem with forcing the Big Three to produce more small cars and develop hybrid and electric vehicles — they won't be profitable in the short term, especially with gas prices suddenly plummeting. In fact, many auto analysts believe Toyota actually loses money on every single Prius it sells. So if the Japanese aren't turning a profit on a very popular car, how would the Americans pull it off?

This has led some to propose something that will probably never happen...a gas tax or broader-based carbon-emissions tax to give buyers a real incentive to give up their gas guzzlers.

Andrew Samwick is one of them:

"The reason the tax works is that it encourages us to conserve in every way we possibly can. Nobody likes to pay higher taxes, but if we are serious about reducing emissions, a carbon tax is the most fair and comprehensive way to get the job done."