<Thoughts after a trip to Botswana The Oil Drum France and Italy: is nuclear power the way for energy independence?>

108 comments on A Better Gas Tax?

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eric blair on March 24, 2008 - 6:10pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

There's a huge anti-rationing sentiment in America.

Rationing has not been popular elsewhere either. So long as the myth of 'you are upwardly mobile if you work hard' exists in the US of A....so long as people who are not middle class see themselves as middle class....rationing will still be seen as not the best way out.

Rationing was done during WWII, 'accepted' by the population...as it were. The promise was 'there will be an end'. Peak Oil looks to be an unending shortage of liquid fuel.

Before 'rationing' there will be 'fuel for these services paid by taxes 1st at low price' in a reaction to tax load.

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Shaunus4 on March 25, 2008 - 10:07pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I would agree that it is crucial to the public acceptance of rationing that 'there will be an end'. The Mark Roodhouse historical paper I referenced above in my reply to Sharon also emphasises this.

But I would disagree that the permanent nature of Peak Oil implies permanent rationing. The purpose of a well-designed rationing system must be to stimulate and support the transition to a society of leaner energy use. If it achieves its purpose it will make itself obsolete. If it fails in its purpose we will be overwhelmed by climatic feedbacks and a different type of end will be rolling into view...

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108 comments on A Better Gas Tax?

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