Re: No More Dependence on Foreign Oil- Coming to Your Neighborhood Soon

Paul E. Schoen wrote:
"Jim Thompson" <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:f7uk42l1nkjs13j10k744ei25hp1fi22mk@xxxxxxxxxx

On Sat, 22 Apr 2006 18:33:02 GMT, Fred Bloggs <nospam@xxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:


http://ur.rutgers.edu/medrel/science/coal.shtml

Of course! But do you think the "greenies" allow it? We can't even
open up the Alaska fields.

...Jim Thompson


It should be possible to mine and process coal without excessive damage to the environment. The real problem is our (mostly USA) overconsumption and waste of energy. I consider myself a "reasonable" greenie. I oppose opening Alaskan oil fields because it just delays the proper solutions to this problem, and allows Big Oil and other corporate interests to continue to make obscene profits while despoiling the environment for future generations. My recommendations include:

I think that your plan would work, with small modifications:


1. Add a federal surcharge of $2/gallon on gasoline, and give every individual a $500 transportation tax credit. Use the surplus for vehicular efficiency research.

Yes, those who wish to impose this on others should
serve as the test case first, to prove validity. So
have a vote - the greenies who vote for it will be
subject to it, to prove their point.


2. Reduce long haul trucking and replace it with much more efficient rail transport.

To prove this point, products that are hauled by truck over
long distances will have a surcharge, paid by those who vote
for the idea. People who vote against it will not pay the
surcharge. The surcharge will be based on the ratio of
long haul trucking efficiencey/rail transport efficiency.


3. Make passenger car rail transport cost effective and convenient for long trips.

Yes. You buy a ticket to x destination. When you arrive
there, a greenie supplies you with a car. It's convenient,
because you don't have to drive your car onto the train.
It costs less, because there is no need for moving the
car - it stays at the owner's home. Lower energy cost,
and no need for special trains that can move autos.


4. Use advertising techniques to convince people it is cool and sexy to drive a vehicle that gets 40+ MPG rather than compensating for sexual inadequacy and workday frustrations by promoting dragster acceleration and competitive (rather than cooperative) driving.

This is a flaw in the plan. Sexually inadequate people
are presumed to be non-greenies by the greenies. If that
were true, they'd Darwin out of existence in time, so
the plan would be unnecessary. Greenies presume themselves
more intelligent - so intelligent, that they think they have
the right to dictate to others. Thus, another reason that
greenies will prevail a la Darwin - and another reason that
greenies should recognize the difficulty with the plan,
even before non-greenies.


5. Put real money into alternative fuels, hybrid and full electric technology.

Yes. The surcharges that the greenies pay should go to
that. This will not only promote r&d, it will make the
greenies happy.


I have a simple 1998 Saturn SL1 which averages 35-40 MPG, and a 1989 Toyota 4WD pickup which I use only when necessary, and it gets about 22 MPG. Technology exists to double these figures without degrading performance. Aggressive driving habits will knock 30% off these numbers even with the most efficient technology. When people actually consider their vehicle and public roads as tools for transportation, rather than an amusement park thriller or an arena for competition, our lopsided demand for oil will become more in line with the rest of the world. Most people will not voluntarily change their habits, so taxation (with rewards for conservation) is probably the only means that will work.

So the tax rate for those who vote for the plan should be
what? Doubled? Tripled? X times the current rate?


As engineers and hobbyists in the field of electronics, we can contribute by designing systems which can increase efficiency, especially with EVs and possibly a hybrid conversion kit such as I am attempting to design. See http://www.smart.net/~pstech/SHAMPAC.htm

Paul E. Schoen
www.pstech-inc.com



Yup, overall, a very good plan. It's about time
greenies start to carry their weight.

Ed
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: No More Dependence on Foreign Oil- Coming to Your Neighborhood Soon
    ... But do you think the "greenies" allow it? ... open up the Alaska fields. ... individual a $500 transportation tax credit. ... efficiency research. ...
    (sci.electronics.design)
  • Re: OT: This is why there are "denialists"...
    ... "The House of Representatives is preparing to vote Friday on a massive ... 'cap and trade' bill purportedly designed to address global warming ... But the marketplace isn't being allowed to on account of 'subsidies' and ... Maybe but we could still flog the current crop of greenies with a lash. ...
    (sci.electronics.design)
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