re: Why not pursue the more efficient option and take away the subsidies to the oil and gas industry instead? That would do more to solve the problem.
Talk about unintended consequences; the price of gasoline would probably skyrocket overnight. You could say that would be a good thing for consumption, but the recession might be harsh side effect.
re: Microsoft, Intel, McDonalds, Whole Foods, etc.
Those are corporations, not commodities. We pass laws against the use of dangerous chemicals, we pass laws to discourage the use of marijuana, we have many, many laws that discourage use of non-beneficial products. Some would argue that decreasing the use of gasoline would be much more beneficial to the country than decreasing the use of marijuana.
re: The easiest way to increase an auto's gasoline mileage is to decrease the auto's weight. That also compromises safety.
Wouldn't be a bad thing for most SUV's if you get hit by one in a smaller car.
I think the biggest hit would be to domestic auto companies. They just are not as nimble and couldn't react as fast to the changed marketplace. Also reduced consumption would really hit the energy companies.
Listen, I'm not a big fan of government intervention, but the oil consumption by this country is a huge problem, and the solution of more efficient use is a huge benefit. I drive a car that gets "average" mileage, and I look around and I'm surrounded by giant SUV's that are going the same distance on twice the gasoline. They are the reason I pay more for gasoline, the reason we all pay more for gasoline.
5% of the world population; 25% of the world consumption. Just think of the opportunity to feed more capital into our economy!
John |
