Kyoto a go?
I've seen several reports that Russian president Vladimir Putin is going to sign the Kyoto accords. The conservatives are already getting their panties in a wad over it, but I still don't see what they're worried about. The Europeans are, so far, not succeeding in keeping their end of the bargain. Even if the U.S. was a signatory(which it isn't), what exactly are the consequences of not meeting the goals? Nothing much, as far as I can tell.
I know I'm wasting my time here, but this doesn't have to be painful. Implementing a carbon tax, while simultaneously reducing other taxes so that the overall pain felt by the general populace is minimal, is possible. If this were explained in a simple manner most people would accept it. Overall taxes could actually be reduced if Republicans need an extra incentive(plus, I'd love to hear the debates. Dem - "This is another tax cut for the Rich!, You're increasing the deficit!" Rep - "Isn't Global Warming more serious than those things, would you rather tax the rich or save the earth."). The Republicans might actually get to portray themselves as the "good-guys."
I know. It'll never happen. The "Global Warming is a Crock" meme has totally infested the Republican and Libertarian spheres. NASA, The American Geophysical Union, and most climatologists believe it is happening. But while their collective scientific efforts are applauded by conservatives when they have no political stake in the results, on this one topic apparently an entire field of enquiry has been subborned by the "greens".
Once again, I think the Republicans are missing a huge "put-up or shut-up" opportunity. Politics is about compromise, so ask the Dems to trade for the pro-green legislation. This could be an opportunity to enact tort reform, truly reform social security, cripple the teacher's unions, or any other political view that I support. If Al Gore and the rest are serious, and this is the most important issue facing humanity, then they should be willing to trade any number of sacred cows in order to get it enacted.
I know I'm wasting my time here, but this doesn't have to be painful. Implementing a carbon tax, while simultaneously reducing other taxes so that the overall pain felt by the general populace is minimal, is possible. If this were explained in a simple manner most people would accept it. Overall taxes could actually be reduced if Republicans need an extra incentive(plus, I'd love to hear the debates. Dem - "This is another tax cut for the Rich!, You're increasing the deficit!" Rep - "Isn't Global Warming more serious than those things, would you rather tax the rich or save the earth."). The Republicans might actually get to portray themselves as the "good-guys."
I know. It'll never happen. The "Global Warming is a Crock" meme has totally infested the Republican and Libertarian spheres. NASA, The American Geophysical Union, and most climatologists believe it is happening. But while their collective scientific efforts are applauded by conservatives when they have no political stake in the results, on this one topic apparently an entire field of enquiry has been subborned by the "greens".
Once again, I think the Republicans are missing a huge "put-up or shut-up" opportunity. Politics is about compromise, so ask the Dems to trade for the pro-green legislation. This could be an opportunity to enact tort reform, truly reform social security, cripple the teacher's unions, or any other political view that I support. If Al Gore and the rest are serious, and this is the most important issue facing humanity, then they should be willing to trade any number of sacred cows in order to get it enacted.
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