I could be writing about the economy. Or baseball. Or a behavioural analysis of people in 1974. (These are all forthcoming.) However, there's another issue dominating the news which I'd like to talk about - Stephane Dion's carbon tax proposal.
I have to say, it's actually a great idea. Dion proposes to put huge taxes on all fossil fuels, as well as - and this is the important part - cut income taxes to the extent that the average Canadian will actually be paying *fewer* taxes under the plan than they are now. The only people really getting screwed are the corporations, and Liberals like to screw corporations, so there's no problem there.
The best part? Unlike anything the Conservatives have been able to come up with, or any of the rhetoric flying around the public discourse, this plan will lead to actual changes in our energy-using habits. And by "us", I don't mean Canadians as some sort of abstract quantity (which is what it's been thus far), but rather you, me, your neighbours, my co-workers, and the people in the next car to drive by your house. We're actually going to have to change what we do. And we're going to make a difference.
(Of course, the Conservatives will fight the next election on "YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS MORE TO HEAT YOUR HOUSE", conveniently ignore the income tax cuts, and win another minority. Such is life.)
--Ryan
No comments:
Post a Comment