Blowing a Storm?
01/11/06 21:04 |
Personal
I
just don't get it. We all know that global warming is
no longer just the rambling of the green lobbies but
is in fact a reality, having a highly visible impact
on the environment. We all know we want to do our bit
to preserve the planet and ease the burden from Co2
emissions but how do we even begin when the
Government have got it so badly wrong? Instead of
making it affordable to 'ease in' the changes
necessary in our personal lives they have -
predictably some would say - taken a sledgehammer to
crack a nut. Rather than giving us the carrot to
encourage us to make a start they have decided to
rely instead, on a heavy beating with a big stick,
using the theory that we should be punished for
having the cheek to enjoy a life we all work so hard
to achieve!
I
would love to install a wind turbine and solar panels
to my house - after all I live on the coast and the
wind is never in short supply - but the predicted
savings do not make the outlay necessary an
attractive proposition. I would love to buy a more
eco friendly car but when you look at the price of
these vehicles it is not even an option. Why? because
the government are receiving huge returns in taxes on
these items.
By reducing the rates of tax they could be encouraging investment in all things green and make the whole thing viable. Instead, they are thinking of raising taxes on the eco "unfriendly" items.
For example, rather than make energy saving bulbs cheaper, tax the old type to close the price gap and of course pocket the increase! Charge people with high emission cars extra duty - even though they are already paying more in fuel tax than anyone else - and of course pocket the increase! Charge a green tax on the flights you take when you have a well earned holiday and of course pocket the increase! and so on and so on....
History - a subject the present government is not keen to promote - has shown taxes just don't work in changing people's way of life.
The present proposals are in reality just opportunism. They are a way of exploiting and profiteering from something that effects all our futures. After all, there is a rather large hole to plug in the Chancellor's Global Warfare Chest!!
Don't be fooled and beware the "Robber Barons!"
By reducing the rates of tax they could be encouraging investment in all things green and make the whole thing viable. Instead, they are thinking of raising taxes on the eco "unfriendly" items.
For example, rather than make energy saving bulbs cheaper, tax the old type to close the price gap and of course pocket the increase! Charge people with high emission cars extra duty - even though they are already paying more in fuel tax than anyone else - and of course pocket the increase! Charge a green tax on the flights you take when you have a well earned holiday and of course pocket the increase! and so on and so on....
History - a subject the present government is not keen to promote - has shown taxes just don't work in changing people's way of life.
The present proposals are in reality just opportunism. They are a way of exploiting and profiteering from something that effects all our futures. After all, there is a rather large hole to plug in the Chancellor's Global Warfare Chest!!
Don't be fooled and beware the "Robber Barons!"
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