Posted on 09/27/2007 8:15:13 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Democrat Wants Higher Gas Taxes, New Carbon Fees By Susan Jones CNSNews.com Senior Editor September 27, 2007
(CNSNews.com) - Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, is proposing a new carbon tax to reduce U.S. energy consumption. Part of the proceeds, he said would help pay for "universal health care -- "upon passage," he noted.
In addition to the carbon tax, Dingell's plan to reduce global warming also includes higher taxes on gasoline; and a phase-out of the mortgage interest deduction on what he called "McMansions."
Dingell, who revealed aspects of the plan earlier this summer (see earlier report), has now summarized it on his website, and he also invited people to comment on the plan.
"The earth is getting warmer and human activities are a large part of the cause," Dingell said. "We need to act in order to prevent a serious problem."
Dingell admits that reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be a "massive undertaking," but he believes higher taxes and fees are "the most effective way" to solve the problem.
Dingell said he would levy an additional 50-cents-a-gallon tax on gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, to be phased in over five years and then adjusted for inflation.
He said diesel fuel and biofuels that do not contain petroleum would be exempt from the additional tax. (As Cybercast News Service reported, new studies say biofuels may increase global warming.)
As for the McMansion tax, Dingell argues that large homes have contributed to "increased sprawl (more gasoline) and longer commutes." Although new homes are more energy efficient, he admits, their size alone gives them a larger carbon footprint.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
Actually, for a Democrat, these aren’t bad proposals.
The home mortgage deduction has caused massive home inflation. No reason to “encourage home ownership” by subsidizing mortgages over a million. Unfortunately, the time for this proposal is when the market is not in crisis, when it could have been phased in to moderate the gain, instead of accelerating the decline. One could grandfather existing mortgages, but resale takes a major hit.
Also, no reason to make 2nd homes including yachts and Luxo RVs interest deductible.
(But rates must be lowered to offset these effects.)
The gas tax I could live with if it really kept all those poor folks off the road. I’d pay more for that!
Of course, all gas taxes should be kept and spent by the state, not the feds, to keep them spending on roads, not Euro-trash trolley boondoggles no one uses.
Watch what you say, higher taxes have created the utopia known as Detroit. Even higher taxes, especially on autos, will make Detroit even better. I believe this idiot is from Detroit. Go figure?
We would be lucky if 2% went where it was intended. When Congress is in session - HOLD ON TO YOUR WALLET.
They’re asking for it. That’s for certain. Would you like ketchup with that tree bark? Mustard with the dirt? LOL!
The democRATS/Socialists will apply that tax to ALL energy sources.
People, people, people. You fail to see what a deal we’re getting for a mere 50 cents a gallon. We will no doubt have a reduction in the use of the dreaded fossil fuels, and a smaller carbon footprint (picture a whopping size 12 Wide cut down to maybe a 7), thereby saving the planet. Not to mention the bonus of universal healthcare. Universal! All courtesy of our forward-looking friends in the federal government. Is that the dawn of utopia that I see on the horizon?
well you get what you elect or you get what you deserve for sitting home not voting to teach the R’s a lesson
yeah worked out great WE will have to pay for that lesson
That's right .... he thinks it is the most effective way to solve the problem .... ANY problem.
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