This diary was inspired by Devilstower's "Good Ideas that are Bad Politics" post and the subsequent comments, most of which were about the suggestion of a 55 mph speed limit, which many people didn't want to do.
Almost all of us are supporters of the environment over, say, oil companies. And when you ask us what should be done to protect the environment, we all have some ideas...which usually affect other people.
"I don't smoke, so smokers should pay higher taxes."
"I bike to work. People who drive on highways should have to pay tolls."
"I drive a hybrid which gets 38 mpg; people who drive cars with less than 37 mpg mileage should pay a guzzler tax."
This diary is about what things YOU do that you know is bad for the environment or society, and whether you'd stop doing them or pay more to keep doing them in a perfect world. I'll start, after the jump.
- I take long hot showers. If I had to pay a water bill instead of having it provided by my apartment complex, I'd probably cut down significantly rather than pay for it.
- I occasionally smoke. I would be willing to pay much more for cigarettes if it were taxed more.
- I leave lights and appliances on, sometimes all night when I fall asleep on the couch. I'm not sure there's anything that would get me to stop doing that, although probably if I knew how much each thing contributed to my total energy bill, I'd cut back.
- I use more heat than is necessary in winter, because I don't like bundling up when I'm at home. I know how expensive this is, but I do it anyway. I think excessive heat use should be taxed, but I don't know how to enforce it since people get it from different sources.
So what makes you a jerk, and how much would pay to keep doing it?