Aviation fuel for domestic and international flights should be taxed to combat climate changes ?
Answer:
No, I don't think it should. Unlike my predecessors, I do "believe" in man-made climate change. I am, however, not an avid fan of increased taxation.
Why? Because taxes would hit the consumer first and foremost. This is important from an awareness stand-point, yes, but it also has some economic consequences that are hard to predict.
I say no with a reservation: used in conjunction with other measures--such as incentivizing airlines to use low-emission technologies through, say, tax cuts--it might actually create some interesting effects: airlines would be able to cancel out higher fuel prices through the use of "free" technology upgrades. Those airlines who choose not to upgrade would soon find themselves unable to compete as they have to make up for higher fuel prices by passing the cost on to consumers.
In this scenario, the government would be at a loss (someone needs to provide the tax cuts) but the cost is probobly less than the risk of crippling the airline industry. I say: use the market baby, but spare the consumer--at least until you have no other choice.
how can we prove global warmin exists? we havent been studying the earths climate for that long? just because we have had a warming trend doesnt mean that its global warming.
How is someone collecting more money going to help the climate?
The airplanes are going to take off regardless of taxation. The fuel is going to be used regardless of taxation. All you would do is take more money out of the consumers' pockets.
Global Warming is a religion.
Not a happening.
Now, that would be a really dumb idea. Trying to use taxes to implement policy usually is.
But to be specific:
First, the airlines are currently stressed--and are saddled with an aging fleet. Now, if you tax fuel, they'll have to pass some of the cost on to consumers--but competative pressure will force them to absorb some of it.
At the same time, we have a whole new generation of advanced aircraft just coming online--and one of the big advantages is tha tthey use far less fuel.
So--put a tax on the airlines and you reduce their ability to shift to fuel-effcient aircraft.
As I said--DUMB idea. Ifanything, we should be thinking about how to shift public policy to make it easier for the airlines to get those planes ASAP.
BTW--(and I'm not point a finger at you)--This is exactly the kind of counter-productive proposal the right-wing keeps claiming the "liberals" are planning--to scare people into thinking envvironmental action will hurt them. That's not the case. Policy action yes--but more along the lines of the proposed requirement that autos havie substantially improved fuel efficiency. That not only will help the environment, it will reduce costs to consumers--everybody wins (except the oil companies the right-wing love so much).
That's the kind of policy that history tells us willl work.
I totally agree with the guy above, Global Warming is a religion, you don't need good facts, just have faith. Believe and you will be convinced. Most of these liberal ideas require a lot of faith in them cause there just are no facts to support their ridiculous conclusions.
No new taxes. In case you didn't hear me NO NEW TAXES. In case you didn't understand my answer:
Not just no to new taxes but hell no!!
Yes, please make it harder for the middle class to afford plane tickets.
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