Got A Problem? No Problem. We'll Just Tax You

Problem solved...?

A debate about a carbon tax is gripping North Americans these days. My take is that this is a terrible time to introduce a tax of any kind. The special interest "footprint" is all over this one.

Various experts and thoughtful citizens have offered their opinions on the issue. Economically, people are already struggling to just keep up (the rise in gas prices was rather rapid) and pay the bills and a carbon tax would only worsen their stress load.

The idea that a tax would modify behaviour and consumption may not be a bad idea but the timing for one is off. People with the means (blaming the rich and their SUV's is a ridiculous cop out. When everything fails in society blame the rich. SUV's no longer sell at the pace they once did and I read somewhere that Americans have drastically reduced the amount of mileage they accumulate. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 to 12 billion miles) won't get affected and I supsect they'll just absorb the hit.

It's the low-end of the income spectrum that probably will be hit most. Have the powers that be actually thought this through thoroughly enough?

The rise in carbons and oil manifests itself not just at the pump but right through the entire economy. It hits every facet of our lives including how much we pay for our groceries. After all, someone has to transport your strawberries in.

Is it illogical to tax carbons at this time? Shouldn't we let people adjust first to the reality of what's happening and then consider a tax if we must?

Mind you, perhaps we should have done this years ago if we're so worried about the environment - Canada's environmental record is pathetic. After all, environmentalists have been warning people for years now. I remember seeing a video of David Suzuki's daughter in the early 1990s talking about the need to change our ways.

Why is it that whenever we're confronted with a problem we aim to increase taxes to help find a solution?

Is this the best we've got?

So many questions. So many women...wait wrong post.