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Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLabGuy

What is will do is take even more disposable income from the pockets of average Americans who will in-turn spend less on other goods and services. Again...This will effect the poor and lower middle class who is already feeling the pinch of soaring gasoline prices.

This is a Bonehead measure which will do ZERO in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

:iagree:

we need a national energy policy not a poorly thought out new tax created by another member of the government looking for his sound bite. Article in the NYT yesterday about how we are exporting coal which will cost the power plants more money and cause a 10-12% increase to the consumer next year.

Those of us who saw the energy crises in the 1970's certainly cannot say we didn't know or weren't warned. If we had the discipline to think long term then, we wouldn't be in this situation now. So the same logic applies, if we don't create a national and strategic commitment to energy policy, mgt and consumption, where will we be 30 years from now?

I just fail to see how a .50 gas tax gets us anywhere close to the comprehensive approach we need. The issue we have to address is every potential long term solution will have significant mid term economic repercussions. The American standard of living will either come down or plateau as money is redistributed from discretionary purchases to energy, food, medical care, and maybe education. Coincidentally, these necessities are the most inflationary items in our economy.

I once read a study that said in response to a doctor telling you to change certain unhealthy habits or face certain early death, only 10% of the population could do it. We are unlikely to make any substantive change until forced.

Ok, rant over...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLabGuy

You're forgetting one thing...America is not Europe. We are the land of the Automobile. Our mass transit infrastructure is minuscule compared to most European County's. There is no way to ditch the car for most people. As Quick said...This will have a far greater impact on other aspects of life.

Keep in mind...If every American was to quit driving tomorrow for an entire year. Every Man, Woman and Child walking everywhere. The total Greenhouse emissions on the planet that year would only decrease 1%.

Bad idea...

Expensive gas would drive up demand to fix up our mass-transit infrastructure. I understand this stuff can't be done overnight, and I'm certainly not in favor of more expensive gas (who actually wants to pay more?). But a 50-cent increase won't do anything thesedays.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Expensive gas would drive up demand to fix up our mass-transit infrastructure.

That would require the government do its job and the people hold their Representatives responsible for their actions or lack thereof. I say bureaucracy is not the answer to this problem. Private industry and innovation is our only hope of getting a handle on the fossil fuel dilemma.

We can't continue to look to government for solutions. History has shown that when there is a need or incentive, man rises to the occasion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLabGuy

We can't continue to look to government for solutions.

Certainly not the crappy government that we have. Perhaps we should get ourselves a government that can solve problems. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric5273

Certainly not the crappy government that we have. Perhaps we should get ourselves a government that can solve problems. ;)

:iagree:

Stupid Proposition