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131 comments on Is There A Painless Way To Fill The Oil Supply Gap?

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andytk on February 1, 2007 - 4:12am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

You're arguing that we can't increase energy prices artificially because old people will be confused and refuse to heat their houses? I believe that the phrase I'm looking for is the skin condition on the tail wagging the entire dog. It's a bit ridiculous to base the world's energy and environmental policies on the actions of people who are mentally unfit to care for themselves.

You misunderestimate the effect of the tabloid press.

And besides do you really think that people will vote to increase the cost of heating and lighting their homes?

Turkeys do not, as a general rule, vote for christmas.

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SunnyvaleCA on February 1, 2007 - 6:35pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

>>> Do you really think that people will vote to increase the cost of heating and lighting their homes? <<<

Actually, yes! The vote isn't quite that simple. It's more like: Increase the cost of heating and lighting your home but also get a check for $2000 for each person in the house as a free gift from the government. You get the $2000 rebate each year. I suspect that most people think they use "less than average" amounts of energy; therefore, assuming the rebate makes the tax revenue neutral, most people could be convinced that they will get a rebate larger than their increased energy costs.

Many people were excited about the government enacting a windfall-profits tax on the oil industry. Taxing fuel could be sold as having a similar effect.

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SunnyvaleCA on February 1, 2007 - 6:37pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Do you really think that people will vote to increase the cost of heating and lighting their homes?

Actually, yes! The vote isn't quite that simple. It's more like: Increase the cost of heating and lighting your home but also get a check for $2000 for each person in the house as a free gift from the government. You get the $2000 rebate each year. I suspect that most people think they use "less than average" amounts of energy; therefore, assuming the rebate makes the tax revenue neutral, most people could be convinced that they will get a rebate larger than their increased energy costs.

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