[Chris]

Quote by: Autolykos To what end? In other words, what do you want that revenue to be spent on? And again, if they wisen up (according to you) and stop using so much oil/petrol, that revenue won't exist anymore. What then?

The revenue should be spent on moving forward with renewable energy. And a better solution than digging up black fossil fuels. Once they do the revenue doesnt exist anymore, they can get it from the road tax, and the need to fund renewables will be less.

Then again, no one has to burn fossil fuels at any rate, do they? My point is that, without establishing criteria for judging rates of fossil-fuel consumption, your argument is meaningless.

There already are criteria for fossil fuel consumption. Its called MPG standards. Also CO2 emissions through coal burning power plants.

That begs the question -- just what are the best interests of the people? Who says what they are and what they aren't? I know I've brought this up before, but I feel it needs repeating, because people seem too used to flaunting their personal opinions as "the bests interests of the people".

The best interests are not damaging the only habitable planet (for now) for at least 4-5 parsecs. Wouldnt it be in our best interest to give the environmentalists the benefit of the doubt? Whats a few more dollars here and there? You can't take it with you when you die.

Again, this begs some questions: Is protecting the environment a top priority? For whom? If so, why is it a top priority? And should it be?

Cause if the planet is dead - or at least uninhabitable to humans - than the future of the human race is doomed. I would place that well high on the priority list.

While there are certainly some Dudley Do-Rights in government, the temptation of "free money" from taxes seems practically irresistable. Case in point: To finance the Spanish-American War, a tax was placed on telephone usage. Now, the Spanish-American War didn't last all that long -- not even a year, IIRC. But the telephone tax lasted for over 100 years. It was finally repealed just this past year. Clearly this is an example of the temptation of "free money" at work. My point here is, why bet on the Dudley Do-Rights winning out in the halls of government? If history has shown us anything, it's that they always lose. So I think it's pointless to rely on government to effect social change. They have more important things to do, like taking more of your money. - Rob

Ahh you do make good points, but to me, its more important to stop climate change than a few more measly dollars taken out of my wallet. I dont drive a hummer, or a bentley, or a vehicle with a "HEMI". So I am not too worried about it.