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What do you think of this proposed environmental legislation?

Should we ratify the Environmental and National Health Act?

  • Yes, the benefits to both the country and the Earth are numerous

    Votes: 1 14.3%
  • No, I don't agree with an increased tax on gas

    Votes: 6 85.7%

  • Total voters
    7

Ganapathy

Banned
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Jul 11, 2016
Messages
500
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Political Leaning
Socialist
This is my proposed "Environmental and National Health Act."

The government needs to tax the sale of gasoline until the price reaches the same price as it is in Hong Kong, around $7.12 a gallon.

Gasoline Prices by Country

This will have many positive effects on society:

1. First off, this will reduce the amount of driving in this country. People will look for other means of transportation, such as public transit, carpooling, or biking/walking. Also, may Americans will reduce frivolous trips, such as driving down to the local movie theater or ice cream shop, or simply joyriding. All of this means far less carbon emissions from driving.

This drastic reduction in carbon emissions will help stem the tide of global warming, one of the greatest threats humanity has ever faced:
Impact of Global Warming on Future Human Life

It would also greatly improve air quality caused by smog and traffic, leading to less cases of asthma or premature death.

2. This will also encourage the development of better, more far reaching, and more well-used public transit systems. In most states, the public transit system is terrible, since car ownership is the norm. Busses run late, light rail only covers a quarter of the city, stops are few and far between, etc. If car ownership were discouraged by $7.00 gas, the public transit system would have to improve in quality and effectiveness, putting us on par with most other countries in the world.

3. This tax on gasoline will help reduce urban sprawl. Urban sprawl is when suburbs spread out for miles on end, hours away from the downtown city they are centered on. Most people who live in these suburbs drive to work, and do not use public transit at all. By raising gas to $7.00 a gallon, we would halt the expansion of miles and miles of cookie cutter houses into what used to be thriving forest and natural beauty

4. The end of the suburbs will lead to decreased racism and bigotry, while increasing tolerance of others. Most racist whites today live either in the countryside or in suburbia, while the people of color they despite live in more urban areas. By making driving prohibitively expensive, these rich sheltered white communities would have to move closer to where they work, and live alongside communities of color. This would get these racist whites out of their little bubble, and force them to interact with people of other races and faiths, thereby encouraging racial tolerance in this country.

5. Let's not forget that the government would make tons of money with a heavy tax on gasoline. This, in combination with the cutting of our bloated military budget, would give the people of the USA enough money to finally implement single payer healthcare, improve public education, make higher education free, and create so many more opportunities for the citizens of this country.

Of course, the opposition from the oil companies would be ferocious. Some oil workers in places like Texas and Alaska would lose their jobs. There would be a brief period of time, after the tax is implemented, but before public transportation is expanded, where it might be hard for some people to commute to work.

But in the long run, the results of $7.12 a gallon gas would be nothing but beneficial. Decreased carbon emissions, increased air quality, a much improved public transportation system, an end to the suburban sprawl which causes de facto segregation of racial communities and contributes to the systemic racism in this country. We will not only save our society, we will save the human race as well.
 
Well at least your open that part of your intention here is to make life crappier for regular folks.
 
This is my proposed "Environmental and National Health Act."

The government needs to tax the sale of gasoline until the price reaches the same price as it is in Hong Kong, around $7.12 a gallon.

Gasoline Prices by Country

This will have many positive effects on society:

1. First off, this will reduce the amount of driving in this country. People will look for other means of transportation, such as public transit, carpooling, or biking/walking. Also, may Americans will reduce frivolous trips, such as driving down to the local movie theater or ice cream shop, or simply joyriding. All of this means far less carbon emissions from driving.

This drastic reduction in carbon emissions will help stem the tide of global warming, one of the greatest threats humanity has ever faced:
Impact of Global Warming on Future Human Life

It would also greatly improve air quality caused by smog and traffic, leading to less cases of asthma or premature death.

2. This will also encourage the development of better, more far reaching, and more well-used public transit systems. In most states, the public transit system is terrible, since car ownership is the norm. Busses run late, light rail only covers a quarter of the city, stops are few and far between, etc. If car ownership were discouraged by $7.00 gas, the public transit system would have to improve in quality and effectiveness, putting us on par with most other countries in the world.

3. This tax on gasoline will help reduce urban sprawl. Urban sprawl is when suburbs spread out for miles on end, hours away from the downtown city they are centered on. Most people who live in these suburbs drive to work, and do not use public transit at all. By raising gas to $7.00 a gallon, we would halt the expansion of miles and miles of cookie cutter houses into what used to be thriving forest and natural beauty

4. The end of the suburbs will lead to decreased racism and bigotry, while increasing tolerance of others. Most racist whites today live either in the countryside or in suburbia, while the people of color they despite live in more urban areas. By making driving prohibitively expensive, these rich sheltered white communities would have to move closer to where they work, and live alongside communities of color. This would get these racist whites out of their little bubble, and force them to interact with people of other races and faiths, thereby encouraging racial tolerance in this country.

5. Let's not forget that the government would make tons of money with a heavy tax on gasoline. This, in combination with the cutting of our bloated military budget, would give the people of the USA enough money to finally implement single payer healthcare, improve public education, make higher education free, and create so many more opportunities for the citizens of this country.

Of course, the opposition from the oil companies would be ferocious. Some oil workers in places like Texas and Alaska would lose their jobs. There would be a brief period of time, after the tax is implemented, but before public transportation is expanded, where it might be hard for some people to commute to work.

But in the long run, the results of $7.12 a gallon gas would be nothing but beneficial. Decreased carbon emissions, increased air quality, a much improved public transportation system, an end to the suburban sprawl which causes de facto segregation of racial communities and contributes to the systemic racism in this country. We will not only save our society, we will save the human race as well.

Why do you hate poor people?
 
Well at least your open that part of your intention here is to make life crappier for regular folks.

One need only look at the avatar.
 
This is my proposed "Environmental and National Health Act."

The government needs to tax the sale of gasoline until the price reaches the same price as it is in Hong Kong, around $7.12 a gallon.

Gasoline Prices by Country

This will have many positive effects on society:

1. First off, this will reduce the amount of driving in this country. People will look for other means of transportation, such as public transit, carpooling, or biking/walking. Also, may Americans will reduce frivolous trips, such as driving down to the local movie theater or ice cream shop, or simply joyriding. All of this means far less carbon emissions from driving.

This drastic reduction in carbon emissions will help stem the tide of global warming, one of the greatest threats humanity has ever faced:
Impact of Global Warming on Future Human Life

It would also greatly improve air quality caused by smog and traffic, leading to less cases of asthma or premature death.

2. This will also encourage the development of better, more far reaching, and more well-used public transit systems. In most states, the public transit system is terrible, since car ownership is the norm. Busses run late, light rail only covers a quarter of the city, stops are few and far between, etc. If car ownership were discouraged by $7.00 gas, the public transit system would have to improve in quality and effectiveness, putting us on par with most other countries in the world.

3. This tax on gasoline will help reduce urban sprawl. Urban sprawl is when suburbs spread out for miles on end, hours away from the downtown city they are centered on. Most people who live in these suburbs drive to work, and do not use public transit at all. By raising gas to $7.00 a gallon, we would halt the expansion of miles and miles of cookie cutter houses into what used to be thriving forest and natural beauty

4. The end of the suburbs will lead to decreased racism and bigotry, while increasing tolerance of others. Most racist whites today live either in the countryside or in suburbia, while the people of color they despite live in more urban areas. By making driving prohibitively expensive, these rich sheltered white communities would have to move closer to where they work, and live alongside communities of color. This would get these racist whites out of their little bubble, and force them to interact with people of other races and faiths, thereby encouraging racial tolerance in this country.

5. Let's not forget that the government would make tons of money with a heavy tax on gasoline. This, in combination with the cutting of our bloated military budget, would give the people of the USA enough money to finally implement single payer healthcare, improve public education, make higher education free, and create so many more opportunities for the citizens of this country.

Of course, the opposition from the oil companies would be ferocious. Some oil workers in places like Texas and Alaska would lose their jobs. There would be a brief period of time, after the tax is implemented, but before public transportation is expanded, where it might be hard for some people to commute to work.

But in the long run, the results of $7.12 a gallon gas would be nothing but beneficial. Decreased carbon emissions, increased air quality, a much improved public transportation system, an end to the suburban sprawl which causes de facto segregation of racial communities and contributes to the systemic racism in this country. We will not only save our society, we will save the human race as well.

It was silly and childish when Al Gore proposed it. It's silly and childish now. And extremely "regressive," as the word is used as applied to anything which primarily negatively affects those with the lowest income. Of course, Communism has always been led by the well-to-do who never, to a man, ever lose their wealth after they get their Communism. The imposition of greater poverty is always for the serfs, not the party elite.

I'd also mention the impact on freedom, but as a Maoist, you are not at all concerned with such things.
 
This is my proposed "Environmental and National Health Act."

The government needs to tax the sale of gasoline until the price reaches the same price as it is in Hong Kong, around $7.12 a gallon.

Gasoline Prices by Country

This will have many positive effects on society:

1. First off, this will reduce the amount of driving in this country. People will look for other means of transportation, such as public transit, carpooling, or biking/walking. Also, may Americans will reduce frivolous trips, such as driving down to the local movie theater or ice cream shop, or simply joyriding. All of this means far less carbon emissions from driving.

This drastic reduction in carbon emissions will help stem the tide of global warming, one of the greatest threats humanity has ever faced:
Impact of Global Warming on Future Human Life

It would also greatly improve air quality caused by smog and traffic, leading to less cases of asthma or premature death.

2. This will also encourage the development of better, more far reaching, and more well-used public transit systems. In most states, the public transit system is terrible, since car ownership is the norm. Busses run late, light rail only covers a quarter of the city, stops are few and far between, etc. If car ownership were discouraged by $7.00 gas, the public transit system would have to improve in quality and effectiveness, putting us on par with most other countries in the world.

3. This tax on gasoline will help reduce urban sprawl. Urban sprawl is when suburbs spread out for miles on end, hours away from the downtown city they are centered on. Most people who live in these suburbs drive to work, and do not use public transit at all. By raising gas to $7.00 a gallon, we would halt the expansion of miles and miles of cookie cutter houses into what used to be thriving forest and natural beauty

4. The end of the suburbs will lead to decreased racism and bigotry, while increasing tolerance of others. Most racist whites today live either in the countryside or in suburbia, while the people of color they despite live in more urban areas. By making driving prohibitively expensive, these rich sheltered white communities would have to move closer to where they work, and live alongside communities of color. This would get these racist whites out of their little bubble, and force them to interact with people of other races and faiths, thereby encouraging racial tolerance in this country.

5. Let's not forget that the government would make tons of money with a heavy tax on gasoline. This, in combination with the cutting of our bloated military budget, would give the people of the USA enough money to finally implement single payer healthcare, improve public education, make higher education free, and create so many more opportunities for the citizens of this country.

Of course, the opposition from the oil companies would be ferocious. Some oil workers in places like Texas and Alaska would lose their jobs. There would be a brief period of time, after the tax is implemented, but before public transportation is expanded, where it might be hard for some people to commute to work.

But in the long run, the results of $7.12 a gallon gas would be nothing but beneficial. Decreased carbon emissions, increased air quality, a much improved public transportation system, an end to the suburban sprawl which causes de facto segregation of racial communities and contributes to the systemic racism in this country. We will not only save our society, we will save the human race as well.

I think that we should drop gasoline prices to .45/gallon. If we do that, then we'll have more people driving and that means less time oppressing the downtrodden. It would also open up a lot of alternative fuel sources as we consume more than oil refineries can produce, which would mean a vast expansion of alternative fuels. It would also provide a massive boost in consumption as people have more money to spend and since most of our goods seem to be made in 3rd world countries, that would mean a substantial increase in jobs and thus quality of life for the people there. It would also make public transportation far more affordable as the costs to run buses would drop and if it was more affordable, more people would use it. With lowered transportation costs, it would make living in the country a more viable option as commute costs would be affordable and since people in the country all grow their own food, we could move away from factory farms to a more locally grown food supply.
 
Why do you hate poor people?

Since when was wanting an increased public transit system, and enough money in our budget for free education, healthcare, and social welfare for all "hating the poor"?
 
Well at least your open that part of your intention here is to make life crappier for regular folks.

I didn't know that wanting cleaner air, an end to global warming, and a well working public infrastructure was "crappy"
 
5. Let's not forget that the government would make tons of money with a heavy tax on gasoline. This, in combination with the cutting of our bloated military budget, would give the people of the USA enough money to finally implement single payer healthcare, improve public education, make higher education free, and create so many more opportunities for the citizens of this country.

I doubt that. I'm sure the loss of demand for gasoline and the heavily negative economic effects that this tax would create would actually cost the federal government revenue.
 
You realize the people that would be most effected by this are indeed the poor minorities that you say are oppressed?
 
I doubt that. I'm sure the loss of demand for gasoline and the heavily negative economic effects that this tax would create would actually cost the federal government revenue.

Yup. Spiraling costs of living combined with rapidly decreasing consumption, higher unemployment, and reduced savings. Yeesh.
 
I didn't know that wanting cleaner air, an end to global warming, and a well working public infrastructure was "crappy"

It is if your means of achieving those things is to double the cost of living, and force people into crappier, more constrained living conditions.
 
You realize the people that would be most effected by this are indeed the poor minorities that you say are oppressed?

Increased public transportation, decreased racism, increased revenue for better public education, single payer healthcare.

Seems like very positive effects to me.
 
I didn't know that wanting cleaner air, an end to global warming, and a well working public infrastructure was "crappy"


No, because as a Maoist, you don't care who gets trampled or run over by tank treads on the way to your Bright New Future. Omelets, breaking eggs, etc.

Your proposal would make life intolerable, if not impossible, for the poorest people.
 
This is my proposed "Environmental and National Health Act."

The government needs to tax the sale of gasoline until the price reaches the same price as it is in Hong Kong, around $7.12 a gallon.

Gasoline Prices by Country

This will have many positive effects on society:

1. First off, this will reduce the amount of driving in this country. People will look for other means of transportation, such as public transit, carpooling, or biking/walking. Also, may Americans will reduce frivolous trips, such as driving down to the local movie theater or ice cream shop, or simply joyriding. All of this means far less carbon emissions from driving.

This drastic reduction in carbon emissions will help stem the tide of global warming, one of the greatest threats humanity has ever faced:
Impact of Global Warming on Future Human Life

It would also greatly improve air quality caused by smog and traffic, leading to less cases of asthma or premature death.

2. This will also encourage the development of better, more far reaching, and more well-used public transit systems. In most states, the public transit system is terrible, since car ownership is the norm. Busses run late, light rail only covers a quarter of the city, stops are few and far between, etc. If car ownership were discouraged by $7.00 gas, the public transit system would have to improve in quality and effectiveness, putting us on par with most other countries in the world.

3. This tax on gasoline will help reduce urban sprawl. Urban sprawl is when suburbs spread out for miles on end, hours away from the downtown city they are centered on. Most people who live in these suburbs drive to work, and do not use public transit at all. By raising gas to $7.00 a gallon, we would halt the expansion of miles and miles of cookie cutter houses into what used to be thriving forest and natural beauty

4. The end of the suburbs will lead to decreased racism and bigotry, while increasing tolerance of others. Most racist whites today live either in the countryside or in suburbia, while the people of color they despite live in more urban areas. By making driving prohibitively expensive, these rich sheltered white communities would have to move closer to where they work, and live alongside communities of color. This would get these racist whites out of their little bubble, and force them to interact with people of other races and faiths, thereby encouraging racial tolerance in this country.

5. Let's not forget that the government would make tons of money with a heavy tax on gasoline. This, in combination with the cutting of our bloated military budget, would give the people of the USA enough money to finally implement single payer healthcare, improve public education, make higher education free, and create so many more opportunities for the citizens of this country.

Of course, the opposition from the oil companies would be ferocious. Some oil workers in places like Texas and Alaska would lose their jobs. There would be a brief period of time, after the tax is implemented, but before public transportation is expanded, where it might be hard for some people to commute to work.

But in the long run, the results of $7.12 a gallon gas would be nothing but beneficial. Decreased carbon emissions, increased air quality, a much improved public transportation system, an end to the suburban sprawl which causes de facto segregation of racial communities and contributes to the systemic racism in this country. We will not only save our society, we will save the human race as well.

There is no doubt that a cap and trade system of some kind would be cp most optimal. Taxing has a suboptimal solution, but might result in lower administration costs. It would harm agriculture badly and the poor in large countries high taxes on gas in densely populated areas inflict little pain.
 
Increased public transportation, decreased racism, increased revenue for better public education, single payer healthcare.

Seems like very positive effects to me.

Those would not be effects from this though. The decreased racism probably wouldn't happen either. And your forgetting the negative effects of increased cost of living and worse living conditions for most poor people.
 
Increased public transportation, decreased racism, increased revenue for better public education, single payer healthcare.

Seems like very positive effects to me.

The reason public transportation works more efficiently in Europe is because their nations are so much smaller than the USA. Public transportation doesn't work in places that are far spread out. Why do you think that attempting to force a bunch of suburbanites into inner cities riddled with crime would make them less racist? People would simply stop driving to the point where you would lose revenue, as would many businesses that rely on people driving to them. Whoops, there goes a ton of sales tax. Taxis would be so expensive people would rather drive drunk instead of taking taxis. Whoops, death and costs to the state. Single payer healthcare will not be implemented simply by making gas unaffordable.
 
The reason public transportation works more efficiently in Europe is because their nations are so much smaller than the USA. Public transportation doesn't work in places that are far spread out. Why do you think that attempting to force a bunch of suburbanites into inner cities riddled with crime would make them less racist? People would simply stop driving to the point where you would lose revenue, as would many businesses that rely on people driving to them. Whoops, there goes a ton of sales tax. Taxis would be so expensive people would rather drive drunk instead of taking taxis. Whoops, death and costs to the state. Single payer healthcare will not be implemented simply by making gas unaffordable.

Well, how about the fact that after this tax, the country won't be as spread out anymore...
 
Should we ratify the Environmental and National Health Act?


In one word: NO!
 
Well, how about the fact that after this tax, the country won't be as spread out anymore...

So everyone will simply move to the cities? My job isn't in a city area. I still need to drive to it. Its only about a 10 minute drive, but it is not possible to take public transportation there, nor can I bike there safely or most of the year, since it snows for about half the year. I know since you live with your parents you think its very easy to just get up and move wherever you need to, but to tell everyone to move within walking distance of their job is hilariously dumb, and not thought out at all.
 
Well, how about the fact that after this tax, the country won't be as spread out anymore...

That tax will decrease the land area of the United States? That's some tax!

Were you planning on giving away large chunks of land? Not that I'd be surprised if you were.
 
That tax will decrease the land area of the United States? That's some tax!

Were you planning on giving away large chunks of land? Not that I'd be surprised if you were.

No, our land area won't decrease, but most people will no longer be living in suburbs or farms, but will move closer to their jobs so they can take public transit or walk, meaning that urban conglomerates will be more densely populated, and the population will be less spread out.
 
So everyone will simply move to the cities? My job isn't in a city area. I still need to drive to it. Its only about a 10 minute drive, but it is not possible to take public transportation there, nor can I bike there safely or most of the year, since it snows for about half the year. I know since you live with your parents you think its very easy to just get up and move wherever you need to, but to tell everyone to move within walking distance of their job is hilariously dumb, and not thought out at all.

With the rise of urban farming and artificial agriculture, food production can move to the cities as well. The only jobs that will still be in the countryside will be things like mining or national park rangers. The vast majority of people can move to the cities
 
With the rise of urban farming and artificial agriculture, food production can move to the cities as well. The only jobs that will still be in the countryside will be things like mining or national park rangers. The vast majority of people can move to the cities

Where do you live? I live in Upstate New York and almost nothing is in the downtown area. In fact, I rarely go down there unless it is a bar or restaurant that is not in the suburban area. My workplace will never move to the city area. They need a lot more room than they can get in the city. Not everyone wants to live in a city. Especially when the city is so crime ridden.
 
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