Comment Re:Going green (Score 1) 427
Apology accepted. And to clarify, in my parent post, I wasn't asking why peopke harass me or anyone else about SUVs. I was debating that SUVs kept us in bondage to Middle Eastern oil despots and that SUVs, in and of themselves, are bad.
The only problem I have with yet another tax is two fold. The first side is that there are already taxes being imposed (and tax breaks being given) that are supposed to encourage and build research for alternative fuels. If something that already exists isn't working, I begin to question when something else is proposed which is supposed to do almost the same thing. The second side is that change ought to occur by the people. Government isn't a parent who, when the people are foolish, rises up and spanks them. Instead, Government is meant to be a mentor who gently moves the student, but seeks to get the student to move first. (Does that make sense? I hope so.) Therefore, it ought to be through education, or other such means, that we bring the people to a knowledge of the problem and, consequently, a willingness to pay a bit more for the benefit.
I think the Free Market can do this. I believe in the Free Market. It's more a matter of educatiion and understanding than government. Why have I not spent my dimes to buy more efficient vehicles? Mainly because I have yet to see enough evidence that it is worth the price. If I went out and bought a hybrid to try and conserve gas and save the environment, the cost to benefit ratio is against me. I have wasted my money. Now, if that comes up, I think there are plenty of people who will buy. Heck, I know scores of people who would buy such vehicles, but the development costs are just beginning to wear off, and until they do, few people will buy.
And, honestly, I think this is a large reason why such hybrids have not been purchased. However, development costs don't last forever. They will wear down, and we will begin to see economical vehicles which can handle our daily efforts, and they will be bought. Then, we'll get right back into this rut in another 30-100 years and we'll have a different problem with cars. :)
Good day!
The only problem I have with yet another tax is two fold. The first side is that there are already taxes being imposed (and tax breaks being given) that are supposed to encourage and build research for alternative fuels. If something that already exists isn't working, I begin to question when something else is proposed which is supposed to do almost the same thing. The second side is that change ought to occur by the people. Government isn't a parent who, when the people are foolish, rises up and spanks them. Instead, Government is meant to be a mentor who gently moves the student, but seeks to get the student to move first. (Does that make sense? I hope so.) Therefore, it ought to be through education, or other such means, that we bring the people to a knowledge of the problem and, consequently, a willingness to pay a bit more for the benefit.
I think the Free Market can do this. I believe in the Free Market. It's more a matter of educatiion and understanding than government. Why have I not spent my dimes to buy more efficient vehicles? Mainly because I have yet to see enough evidence that it is worth the price. If I went out and bought a hybrid to try and conserve gas and save the environment, the cost to benefit ratio is against me. I have wasted my money. Now, if that comes up, I think there are plenty of people who will buy. Heck, I know scores of people who would buy such vehicles, but the development costs are just beginning to wear off, and until they do, few people will buy.
And, honestly, I think this is a large reason why such hybrids have not been purchased. However, development costs don't last forever. They will wear down, and we will begin to see economical vehicles which can handle our daily efforts, and they will be bought. Then, we'll get right back into this rut in another 30-100 years and we'll have a different problem with cars.
Good day!
