I’m debating with a guy who thinks a carbon tax is a great idea (in comparison to an emissions trading scheme). Feel free to post resources and arguments demolishing the case for a carbon tax here.
As far as political strategy goes, it does the libertarian movement no good to roll over and propose “second-best” solutions without arguing the radical case - against taxes, ETS and IPCC climate change science - first.
The best case against a carbon-tax is that it is a tax. The more pragmatically-minded argue within a framework where taxes are taken as a given. However, I view the State in exactly the same way that an atheist living in medieval Europe must have viewed the Church… a dangerous and unstoppable institution built on superstition that cannot be defeated by reason (in the short-term, in any case). Its motivating effect on the public at large is so powerful that even the most gifted, intelligent and well-educated men and women hold the view that this menace to society is a not even a necessary evil but a necessary good. That such an organization should have the power to coercively collect revenues is insane. That’s how an atheist in medieval Europe must have felt about the Catholic Church, whether he ever expressed his feelings or not. That’s how I feel about the State.
Clayton -
No need to worry, Global Cooling will soon become the new boogeyman, just like in the '70s.
"No need to worry, Global Cooling will soon become the new boogeyman, just like in the '70s. "
The unfortunate thing is presuming does come to pass, and happen on a large scale it will only serve to reinforce the views of those that wanted the that it’s working regardless of evidence to the contrary…
…much like Keynesians.