re: #64 elbruce

It would be awesome if there were no costs associated with changing the energy basis of our entire society. I’m sure if that were the case, not even the most “pro-business” conservative would be against it. Unfortunately, that just can’t happen. We have to raise the costs of dirty energy and actually support alternative forms.

Of course right-wingers are going to howl “wealth transfer!” over that. But the alternative is that the Earth just keeps getting hotter forever. Nobody’s economic principles are going to keep them cool when we’re all standing on a cinder.

Human beings being what they are you are better off looking for ways to make clean energy more afforable. Punishing people for using dirty energy (and taxes and fees are seen as punishment) is less motivating to change than a positive result. That’s just basic human behavior.

You aren’t going to get people to give up cheap power and goods no matter what their political affiliation. Its all well and good when you can afford to shop at the green market and avoid Wal-Mart but the vast majority of Americans are in the Wal-Mart price bracket. Even more with the current economy.