Green Tax and Ham
I’ve been meaning to say my piece on global warming for a while, so I’ll take this chance to springboard off Lesley’s wonderful post on the subject, since she pretty much said everything that I would.
The bottom line seems to be that yes, the earth is getting warmer, and the jury is out as to whether humans are causing it. To be sure, the overwhelming majority of the people who actually know what they are talking about seem to think we are, and the overwhelming majority of people who seem to think otherwise are generally unqualified to make that call. (“The global warming debate is odd in that it appears to be between climate scientists and rightwing pundits.”). But it is also true that there is plenty of money to be made as a proponent for either side — so those of us who *aren’t* climate scientists can’t simply take either opinion as gospel.
But who cares? The “solutions” to global warming are things which we need to do anyway. Reduce pollution. Use renewable energy. Live more efficiently. Et cetera.
Certainly, the case isn’t strong enough to take radical measures that greatly inhibit human freedom with little or no actual benefit. So — show me where Al Gore or any other global warming crusader is actually proposing that we do so, and I’ll happily stand with you against the measure in question. But, for one example, replacing payroll taxes with carbon and pollution taxes? Well that’s the geolibertarian thing to do anyway, something I believe in regardless of global warming. What, do the right wingers like the income tax now?
(PS: Lesley’s comments on vegetarianism are a good read as well, but I’ll save that for my next overdue-topic-posting : )
Am I wrong for thinking that within the last 8 years or so that the environment and global warming has been such a hot button because the political leaders of our country have a financial interest in the matter? I feel like the average person is just a pawn in the game. Some are getting more pawned that others. But I remember a time in this country when we all agreed that pollution was bad and our political leaders acknowledged that and did what they could to help. And then one administration destroyed years worth of work. An administration that’s full of people who are profiting off inefficient means of energy. So they make global warming some kind of issue and try to de-bunk it while ignoring the fact that pollution is bad.
Thanks for reading my little diatribe this morning. I’m not an activist or preacher, but sometimes I just have to get a few things off my chest.
I think you’re absolutely right on target with that. “Debunking” global warming does seem to be a smokescreen (heh) to try and undermine any attempts to make more rational choices about how to use our planet’s resources.
this so-called “global warming” is merely a farcical attempt by communists to destroy christianity. haven’t you been outside this weekend? it was 24 degrees last night. in april. a record low. any idiot can see that that’s not globally warm. moses controls the weather, and he will never let our planet’s climate go astray. he’s just trying to keep us on our toes. thanks m-dawg!