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  Taxing and Spending

  There are any number of taxes we could choose to offset against potential revenues from carbon taxes.  The real issue is which offset has sufficient political juice to make it happen. And, countering the regressive character of carbon taxation (it is mostly just another sales tax) can best be dedicating the revenues to other essential public needs not being met by the private sector.  

  So, everyone casts in their first stone.  Mine is a different sort of approach.  Use carbon taxes to pay for Medicare for everyone.  Ease it in with sufficient cultural foreplay.  Start with one level of carbon taxation to pay for medicare for children (people) under 21, then incremental segments of the adult population until most elements of basic medical care as provided by Medicare for people over 65 are extended to the rest of the population.  

    Its a lot of money at some level, yet much cheaper than the present medical system.  And, it doesn't just offset one tax with another like Corzine just did in Jersey (raising regressive sales taxes to fund property owners rebates) but goes about providing an absolutely critical public service and one that removes enormous pressure on the un-insured and those who pay enormous present medical vigs.On Albert, Martin, and ... Ralph? Solving the real energy crisis posted 3 years, 3 months ago 26 Responses