Re: Expensive oil is the only way to stop gluttony

Sid9 wrote:
> <bvallely@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
>
news:05e59af9-31e8-46a7-878b-3f27e176e294@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> .
>>> Let's tax oil if it drops below $120. That way, the price we pay
>>> will always be at least $120 and OPEC won't be able to put
>>> alternative energy companies out of business at their whim. It's
>>> a matter of national security.
>> .
>> An inconvenient truth:  Alternative energy sources generally don't
>> work.
> 
> Gore proposes alternative energy for our electric grid.
> Our current ten year target should be no fossil fuels for stationary 
> engines.
> 
> A dramatic drop in US oil im****ts will force a a dramatic drop in oil 
> prices.

Will it? What if there are other customers, like China?

> A tax on oil makes good sense for many reasons.

The power to tax is the power to destroy.

> It biases energy expenditures away from oil.

No, since there are no alternatives most places, it just makes
everyone that much worse off.

> It helps restore fiscal soundness to our treasury

There is no conceivable tax that could do this.

> It could be structured to encourage wind, solar, nuclear, etc...... 
> renewable energy sources.

As has been pointed out, if they are competitive as you claim,
they don't need the subsidies and tax breaks.

> Increasing CAFÉ standards more rapidly will also help.

Will it? What when no manufacturer says they can meet the proposed
CAFE requirements (an average 45MPG)? When when a Prius won't fit
your needs? I can't move my family and groceries at the same time
in one.

> Research on new forms of mobile energy sources should be encouraged to
wean 
> America off gasoline.

Until someone gets a bright idea, throwing money a a problem is
just a good way to waste money.

> I agree at present there is not an electric battery that competes 
> effectively with gasoline....
> it doesn't always have to be that way

Let us know when your new battery is available.

Then let us know where the capacity to charge one in every household
(or several more likely) is going to come from.

Cheers,

Rich