Yet another example of the use of narratives in marketing, "Gas Tax Holiday". The hard numbers take time to explain and most people do not have the patience to understand. By repeating the story and by creating a strong, albeit non-existent, relation to the prices we pay at the pump, the two presidential candidates managed to grab attention.
The problem is that the Government needs to fund the infrastructure through other means and taxing oil companies, whose margin is 25 cent from a $3.50 retail price, will only result in them passing on this tax to the customers. Multiple other reasons like a weakening dollar, supply disruptions, or increased demand may push the gas price much more than current levels.
The reality is this will save utmost $30 for more than 95% of the people. But by framing it as "Holiday" and as a plan to "provide relief to people", by funding it by, "taxing the oil companies", the numbers get lost in the narratives.
It is surprising that narratives never fail.
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