Gas tax, cap-and-trade: Can we go green without pain?
Don't energy prices have to increase?There is no doubt that cheap gas has helped pump up the US economy. Unfortunately, Americans didn't use cheap gas to efficiently and intelligently create wealth, we used it quite inefficiently. American consumerism has devolved into bling, not necessity. Our car, for instance, had to be bigger, faster or shinier than our neighbors as we kept up with the Jones's.
Them days are over says the new sheriff in town.
Still, I've been watching a lot of Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner's testimony explaining that cap-and-trade tax revenue will help Americans deal with the future's higher energy costs via tax deductions and credits, etc..
Perhaps. Seems a little too perfect world for me to believe.
Nevertheless, considering the impact that foreign oil dependency has had on the world the last couple decades, coupled with the threat of global warming, shouldn't consumers have to accept their share of pain at the pump? Can US politicians put all blame for the inefficient consumerist habits of Americans solely on corporations? Or, do we the people also have to accept some responsibility?
Labels: cap and trade, Foreign Oil Dependency, gas tax
posted by Dahcredyns at
6:13 AM
5 Comments:
Consumers will have to pay more regardless of what the President or Treasury Sec. say about their cap and trade plans. Ultimately, cap and trade is a gas tax, but a bigger, more comprehensive gas tax.
The tax incentives for purchasing efficient vehicles, etc. will help, but every day consumers will feel pain - even a lot of pain if this recession lasts a few more years than anticipated.
A desire for foreign oil independence alone is not enough.
Consumers will not change their buying habits if the cost of gas continues to stay low, and the automakers continue to offer low prices on gaz guzzlers.
We need a gas tax increase and gas cap & trade in order to make foreign oil independence a reality.
In 2008 we proved that higher gas prices will truly make Americans change the driving and automobile purchasing habits.
A gas tax increases and cap and trade will have the following benefits.
1. The cost of protecting foreign oil imports will finally be paid for in each gallon of gas we buy.
2. The additional funds raised help to pay for alternative fuel technology as well as highway construction.
i totally agree. unfortunately, most Americans do not. so the key will be packaging this correctly, which Obama's cap and trade program is trying to do - at least on the face of it.
I drive an 11 year old Saturn. Who here will chip in some money for me to buy a hybrid? Who will help me pay the higher costs of everything when gas is $7/gallon? Should I walk the 8 miles to work or take the bus which would take 2 hours each way?
well, the idea of the cap-and-trade is that it will fund tax credits for those in the middle and lower income levels.
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