Letters to the Editor
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raise the gas tax instead
The problem with CO2 emissions and global warming is that none of us pay the cost of emitting CO2. Right now, its free to pollute with CO2.
Let's slap a tax on all fossil fuel emissions, from our homes, cars, whatever. The fossil fuel tax would be paid at the pump and in our home electric and/or gas bills. If we want to avoid making the poor pay this admittedly regressive tax, we could offer low income exemptions from the electric and gas bill taxes and low income tax breaks for gasoline.
Doing this would drive a move towards conservation, lowering demand. This would both lower prices and reduce our CO2 emissions. (The lower prices would disproportionally help the poor.) We'd regain our leadership role in world politics on the environment. We'd become less dependent on despots in the Middle East and Latin America. The development of clean energy technologies could drive a new round of economic growth for the USA, much in the way the internet did in the 90s.
Obama has chosen the high road on this issue and he deserves the nomination for it. In contrast, Hillary has shown us what sort of president she would be. When push comes to shove, she'll back down and pick the politically expedient choice instead of doing what's right for the country.
If you think 5 cents a gallon is going to help anyone, you are delusional.