Taxing carbon and/or gas is a good idea. Carbon pollution is a hidden cost to society and should be a market factor. Market forces are the "best" way to direct the consuming public's choices. And something must be done about climate change!
However, carbon and/or gas taxes are unpopular because they are a "tax" and they are regressive.
Everyone hates new taxes because we "all" don't want to give any more money to the government ("which is the problem"). Also we can't increase taxes during a economic downturn ("everybody" knows that).
The above is true unless you are a "dirty hippy" and "dirty hippies" don't want to have a regressive tax on the poor.
What to do?
Eliminate gas taxes??? Now that is an excellent GOP "contrarian" solution!
But what if instead of the government keeping the money from the gas/carbon tax it was rebated back to the American people? A equal share for each man, woman and child.
That way you would have a "popular" bill because everyone would get money back from the government. Rebate the money quarterly. Even better yet estimate the collection revenue and rebate the money ahead of time.
And the people like me who ride the bus to work, or drive gas efficient cars, etc. get rewarded. The people who trash our environment have to pay a little bit more.
Comments Please!