In 2008 we are living in interesting times. We are witnessing the largest transfer of wealth in the history of mankind. $700 billion is leaving America every year and going to rich Muslim Arabs. Keep in mind that in Saudi Arabia women are not allowed to drive cars or to vote. People are stoned to death for having an extramarital affair.
When I was in college back in the late 1960's it became clear to me that the rich countries in the world needed to transfer a large amount of wealth to the poor countries in Africa and the southern hemisphere. We could do it voluntarily (unlikely) or some terrorist group with an atomic bomb or a biological agent would extort this wealth.
As it turns out this hasn’t been the actual scenario at all. Instead most Americans have become like heroin addicts. Even in the face of the energy crisis and global warming, they continue to drive enormous, terrible fuel economy vehicles. And they drive them fast, constantly speeding up and then braking, so as to insure the very worst fuel economy possible. Most of the vehicles I see driving around town are large heavy SUVs or V8 engine pickup trucks. And much of the time there is only one person inside.
So these drug addicts continue to drive their morbidly obese American pig cars. In the face of all logic they don’t change the light bulbs in their houses to compact fluorescents, and they don’t put more air pressure in the tires of their vehicles and slow down a lot. Just like alcoholics they live in denial. It is so sick and so sad to watch.
America uses 25% of the world’s oil, but it only has 4% of the world’s population.
In 1970 America imported 24% of the oil it was using.
By 1990 this had grown to 42%.
And by 2008 not only were we using much more oil, but 70% of it was being imported.
The solution is simple, feasible, and possible. But frankly this is not at all likely due to the problems caused by massive corruption in our political system.
The government needs to provide rebates to consumers buying high fuel economy vehicles like the Toyota Prius. Rebates of at least several thousand dollars at the time of purchase.
And the government needs to tax heavily those great big, polluting and poor fuel economy vehicles which are so common today. Taxation at the time of purchase on the order of $8,000- plus an annual wastefulness tax of several thousand dollars would be a good place to start.
The government needs to apply a tax of several dollars per gallon on gasoline and diesel, and
use all of the funds generated to support wind generation of electricity. Insulation and energy efficiency of buildings and household appliances needs to be mandated and encouraged through tax policy and building codes.This all is more than possible. Other countries have already done it.
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Just like other countries have solved the health care problem and have instituted affordable, universal access health care. But I would give The United States of America less than a 5% chance of doing what it necessary. What a pity.
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