So? You think I don’t buy food? Considering the state of farm subsidies in the developed West, you’re going to have trouble drumming up sympathy for your poor oppressed country brethren.
I have already quite clearly explained where I “get” it, I shall not do it again. Do you have a counterpoint you’d like to present?
Sure. That’s easy.
Your statement that I have issues with -
Counter point to address your original statement -
I suspect that you want this gas tax to support public transport. So that it would force “commuters” (your quotes and your words) into public transport.
Still you have not explained the quotes around “commuters”. I guess that you think that everyone can just live in the city and use public transport.
Just how far have you been out of your front door? Ever been to the country? Ever seen what it takes to feed a population?
You want to tax everyone so that you have better public transportation in cities? Thats what it sounds like. Do you understand that that will cost those in the cities too?
I have stated that a tax on petroleum to research alternative energy would be a GOOD thing. IMHO, your idea to tax petroleum to support inter-city public transportation is NOT a good idea.
It would be the most logical use, since public transportation in North American could use the improvement, and people presumably would like that kind of thing, given that gasoline would be more expensive, but the basic purpose of the tax is to encourage reduced fuel usage. You could very well use the money to erect solid gold statues of Bush, I suppose, the effect would still be achieved.
I already did. I put quotes around it because IMO most people who do it should be taking public transportation. It may be a poor usage of the quote marks, but irrelevant to the discussion at hand. Just ignore them if they bother you so much.
What do I care about any of those things, comrade? Maybe we should get together some kind of 5 year plan for the agricultural sector? Maybe set prices to save the peasants from exploitation? Like I said, the market will take care of it. Unlike you, I’m not asking for some kind of special treatment from the government, gas will be just as expensive for me as it will be for you, as will food.
More public transportation would be a good idea, I suggested it would be a good way to use the funds, but the tax isn’t specifically to support any program, it is specifically to discourage you (and me) from consuming any more petroleum. How you and I are going to split the cost, the market can decide.
In what way am I asking for special treatment? I guess that you think that anyone that does not live in a city is in your words – “people carrying out the undesirable behavior”.
You want to tax everyone for services that many, if not most can NOT use. But people in cities can. I suspect such a tax would directly benefit you. And you dare tell me that I’m asking for special treatment?
I would prefer a tax that supports alternative energy solutions. That’s the third time I’ve said that. Not just a tax that puts more busses on the road.
Yes the market will end up solving this. Do not try to push your econ101 class on me. Your ideas helps no one but big oil.
And you call me comrade?
My understanding is this.
Throatwarbler Mangrove would like to see higher taxes on fuel for everyone to support public transportation in cities.
I – enipla, would prefer local taxes for those that can use the service. And an additional tax on fuel to research alternative energy.
Now that just pisses me off. I never voted for the man and I can’t imagine why you think I support him.
Throatwarbler – perhaps we are talking past each other, I’m not sure. Anyway, this is not the forum to continue this discussion. Perhaps this would be good for GD or IMHO.
Public transportation is an alternative energy solution. It’s a more energy-efficient replacement for the gasoline-powered automobile. It’s also more adaptable to different energy sources (e.g. subways run on electricity which can come from wind, nuclear, etc).
And more buses on the road would benefit you, the driver, because each bus-load of passengers represents several dozen fewer cars that are on the road. How is that different from using fuel tax to build additional lanes?