It seems everyone is once again searching for the Alternative Energy Future, and despite what you might think, this same 'political power play' happens about once every decade. Why you ask? It's simple, because it speaks to the desire of humans for a utopian society and civilization, so it's a great emotional trigger point to move a population. Meanwhile, throw in a little fear, and you have all the components to lead the people and get them to do anything you want.
Okay, so that's what is going on now right? I mean can't you see what's happening? Funny thing is the powers that be have been running this same strategy for nearly 45-years now, and what has changed? Not much, nor will it, but do you know why? It's simple,
because if alternative energy was viable and made sense, we'd be using it, and wouldn't be using fossil fuels anymore at all. Unfortunately, the leadership now is hell-bent on making alternative energy viable even if it has to unbalance the playing field, destroy the economy, and cheat to do it.
Last week, I read a very interesting research paper put out by the Rand Corporation and I feel that it brings up a very good point, and helps illustrate the point I'm trying to make here in this article. The name of the research project was; "The Option of an Oil Tax to Fund Transportation and Infrastructure" by Keith Crane, Nicholas Burger, and Martin Wachs, Rand Corporation Publishing, (2011), 49 pages, ISBN 978-0-8330-5178-3.
This research report discussed how the federal legislature expected to deal with the funding of transportation infrastructure. It seems that the U.S. Congress wants to put more fuel taxes on gasoline and diesel. The only problem with that is that any time you increase the cost of fuel, you are in essence putting a wholesale tax on the entire economy. And that's no way to treat a lady.
In this particular report there was a paragraph in the introduction which stated; "The rate used for such a tax would fluctuate, falling as oil prices rise and rising as oil prices fall, but would be set so that sufficient tax revenues are raised to meet targets set by Congress." The problem is that once you institute something like this, it's hard to take it away and giving more money to the U.S. Congress to spend, will not make them more fiscally responsible.
As soon as there is a crisis this money will be diverted to other projects, perhaps in the name of transportation even though that money was to be earmarked specifically for transportation infrastructure. If you doubt this, just look at the Social Security tax that the government now collects and uses in the general fund, but continues to purport that is saving money for Americans in their retirement. That has become the definition of a Ponzi scheme, and it would be hard to trust the government to create anymore user taxes, with only promises of where the money will be allotted too.
Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns you may e-mail me and we can talk about this topic in-depth. Because there's a lot more to the story, and a lot more strategic thinking behind the assignment of this research report than meets the eye.
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