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Automotive News & Views Is a Higher Gasoline Tax Good Or Bad For America?
849 messages, Last post on Nov 19, 2009 at 2:22 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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Was the Rev. Thomas Malthus right, after all? As you probably know, Malthus (1766-1834) warned about the impact of overpopulation on living standards. A United Nations study estimates the world population will continue exploding, from 6.6 billion to 9.3 billion by 2050. By 2050 America's population is expected to be 400 million, give or take one or two. That's an increase of ~30% from today's level. That means we'll be vastly outnumbered by 8.9 billion others across the planet, all competing with us. Some experts warn that it won't be long before "The Age of Oil" is over. Soon the marginal cost of extracting a barrel will equal the sale price. We are on the downside of the bell curve. No? Check out LifeAftertheOilCrash.com: "Civilization as we know it is coming to an end soon. This isn't the proclamation of a wacko. It's the scientific conclusion of the best paid, most widely respected geologists, physicists, bankers and investors in the world. These are rational, professional, conservative individuals who are absolutely terrified by a phenomenon known as global 'peak oil.'" The solution? Stabilize the population. The problem is that this is so much easier to prescribe than to implement. Should we factor a rapidly growing population into our energy consumption plans, or should we continue on our present course and just hope that the Rev. continues to be wrong? Hopefully, new technologies will continue to bail us out, but maybe not. I don't know the answer to that one, but I sure think about it. |
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Replying to: gagrice (Jan 27, 2009 2:06 pm) I'll work on my proposal and get back to you. |
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Replying to: nippononly (Jan 27, 2009 7:30 am) |
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Replying to: kernick (Jan 27, 2009 5:48 am) 150,000 SD and FO bridges is only part of what is needed. Last I saw the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the U.S. infrastructure a grade of 'D' for the entire system, not just bridges. Nothing wrong with subways and as someone who has lived and worked in the D.C. area I can attest that they can be economically justifiable. If you doubt me just look at the change in property values adjacent to subway stations. I used "sin" is quotes b/c it is subjective. Unless you can prove man-made climate change does not exist I would say that there is a chance for sin on a massive scale. Yes the creator in addition to fossil fuels has also made available renewables that humans have been using for much longer than we have gasoline. To not use these renewables that don't pollute - see a picture of modern day Vietnam and everyone wearing masks as an example - is a sin b/c other people's lungs will suffer as a result. I also do distinguish between 'use' and 'overuse' when it comes to prescription medications for our bodies as well as natural resources for our transportation. |
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Replying to: gsolman6 (Jan 27, 2009 8:41 pm) The UAE is more likely to build roads with the money than MN. They want roads for US to drive on and use their oil. MN is infiltrated with some of the goofiest politicians in the nation. They cannot even keep their bridges from collapsing. Why would you trust them with more money... I know MN, as I am a property owner in the state. Unless you can prove man-made climate change does not exist The weight is on YOU to prove it exists, not us to prove it does not exist. We do have a thread for that if you would like to join in on the debate. Man made GW/CC is a grand scam pure and simple. Just another way to extort money from the masses. |
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Replying to: larsb (Jan 27, 2009 7:39 am) That's a lot of qualifiers you have to use to get on that bus. You assume that everybody lives in sunny AZ like you and can have a pleasant walk to the bus stop. Where I live it is 20 degrees (a warm spell) and snowing. You also assume that everyone is healthy enough for such a walk. Right now I'm limping around due to one of my many age-related infirmities. Even if the sun was shining and the birds were singing I would have a hard time walking a half mile. I admire your single minded pursuit to save the planet but you have to consider some of your fellow creatures who live here.
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Replying to: gsolman6 (Jan 27, 2009 8:41 pm) Unless you can prove man-made climate change does not exist I would say that there is a chance for sin on a massive scale. This is the sort of illogic that people used centuries ago when making a case for witchcraft, or appeasing the God in the volcano. That sort of reasoning has for the most part been purged from our society. see a picture of modern day Vietnam and everyone wearing masks as an example Most of Vietnam is rural and pleasant, though I have seen what you're saying in their several cities. But Vietnam does not have pollution controls as we do. And particulate pollution that you wear masks is not the same as CO2. Masks do not stop CO2. I also do distinguish between 'use' and 'overuse' when it comes to prescription medications for our bodies as well as natural resources for our transportation. As long as your concerned with yourself and don't want to tell me what to decide - fine. I consider it a "sin" when people try to impose their opinion, such that I can't decide for myself. You may wish to ride a bike or Segway, and have little power or protection. My priorities might be power and safety, and thus an armored Hummer H1 is my choice.
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Replying to: oldfarmer50 (Jan 28, 2009 3:54 am) My point is that MANY MANY more people COULD commute in more environmentally-friendly ways if they just sat down and thought about it for a second or two. And YES, there are millions who CANNOT, for whatever various hundreds or thousands of reasons. |
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Replying to: kernick (Jan 28, 2009 6:27 am) The truth is that when Oprah bought her gas guzzling G500 Mercedes SUV, the cost of premium gas was not even on her mind. I would also bet if she drives it there is no thought of hypermiling. All the gas tax will do is cause further inflation during hard times for 12 million people that are out looking for work. I can hear the person doing the interview for a job. "What is that smell?" Oh, I rode the bus down for my interview and the person next to me had not bathed in months. There were 3 teenagers smoking a joint in the back so I did not want to move there and smell of reefer. |
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Arnold is getting his wish in that the state will be able to establish their own air quality standards as long as they are stricter than the FEDs. Arnold says that this will give California the ability to force the manufacturers into making cleaner, greener cars. As he thumps his chest to show what a concerned person he is and he has allowed an exemption for companies Like RR and Bentley so his fat cat friends don't have to suffer with considering a hybrid or Prius. I guess that would include a Maybach and who knows what else? Hummers? He is just the next perfect example of, well they could do something only to see what they are going to do. Plug loop holes? Not in our life. |
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