Tax, tax, tax... thats the plan

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by Zachstar

We need massive funds for development of solar and algae based biofuels. No I am not naive enough to think it will do more than put a dent in coal use but solar is most effective in summer in the blazing sun meaning it gives our EXPENSIVE and aging power grid system a bit of a reprieve in danger areas.

I really hate getting on your case every time we talk about this, ZS. But think about it, man. If those were such good alternatives, don't you think somebody would have capitalized on them by now?

Let me put it another way; do you remember what happened last time we bought the whole "green energy/biofuel" bit?

I don't want to sound condescending or harsh or anything, but think about how this stuff works, boss. It's great that you're concerned and I hope you never lose your enthusiasm for this kind of stuff, but it isn't as easy as just saying "x should do y".

When you create a tax-based revenue source for something that seems like a good idea, there will be people looking to obtain some of that revenue. It won't be people like you or me,who are concerned but not involved, it will be established interests who are in the best position to take advantage. Naturally their interest is not in actually making the thing work, but in the bottom line. When you give them handouts you're actually impeding technological development buy giving industry an easy out. Why develop an effective biofuel or other energy source when the state will give you a handout for making corn-ethanol? Why pay for expensive R&D when the state will do the work for you? Why try to give people what they want and will pay for when you can easily co-opt an agency that will simply take their money? Where's the incentive? Perversely enough, that's how it usually works.

The energy crisis in California at the turn threatened to destabilize the economy. We cant afford not to have massive funds for development

Again, I would like for you to really think about this. It wasn't just California who deregulated energy, it was everyone, and not everyone had such severe or lasting problems. California didn't have an energy crisis because its energy industry was different or worse. It didn't have less access to resources. The only thing that set it apart was that, unlike most states, it tried to retain control. The measures implemented by people who listened to people like you actually messed things up more than they helped. Ask McBee, this is one of his personal bugbears.