Another Tax Rebate?
Barack Obama is proposing that Americans receive another tax rebate—this one in the amount of $1000 to offset the rising price of gasoline and to counter the accelerating slide of the US economy into the black hole of universal bankruptcy. The extra cash would come from a windfall profits tax on the oil companies.
I’ll happily receive the check, as I’m sure just about everyone else will. But one has to wonder whether there might be better things to do with the money. Given that America is already broke (tens of trillions in liabilities) and will have to spend trillions on new energy and transport infrastructure to survive the effects of declining oil production and exports, shouldn’t we be spending more strategically whatever money we can collectively lay hands on?
There are millions of homeowners in the northern part of the country who will soon be unable to afford to heat their homes. Just helping them to pay their heating bills for one more season is no solution. They need their homes super-insulated, and they need alternative (solar and/or geothermal) heat sources. Given a check for a thousands bucks, a few of them will apply the money toward a long-term fix; most won’t.
Millions of Americans will soon find electricity costing much more—even as their incomes dry up in the worsening recession. A rebate check could keep the lights on, or it could pay other debts. Meanwhile, what is the nation doing to rebuild its decrepit power grid, or develop distributed generation of renewable energy?
Drivers will feel even more pain at the gas pump as oil prices resume their upward march back into record territory over the next few months. A check from Uncle Sam will mask the immediate discomfort, but it won’t keep the effects of high oil prices from rippling through the economy. America needs an integrated, long-range plan for dealing with the impact of Peak Oil—including investments in public transportation, incentives for ride sharing, and development of innovative new car-share programs.
Hello, Washington—is anyone there awake? Are there any adults in the room? We have some problems here that need immediate attention toward a long-range, concerted, strategic effort.
How about sending this commentary to the Obama Campaign. The only way to make Washington aware of people's opinions is to send it to them. Repeatedly, if necessary.
The US government is straping its population to the gunnells of the good ship fossil fuels even as she slips belowthe waves.
Hi Richard,
I've read most of your work. Bravo, Man. I stand in awe, really. Until recently though, I had continued to resurrect my inner Pollyanna and put her to good use.
For the past year, I've spent about 6 hrs/day on awareness issues. But something's not right. As my attempts to wake our citizenry become ever more polished, focused, targeted and loud; an awful dread is creeping over me - a feeling I remember well. I'll never forget the waves of panic and grief that pulsed and echoed through my body as I tried unsuccessfully to awake my grandmother. Shaking, screaming, jumping up and down... none of it mattered.
I love our country... but, like my grandmother, she is not waking up... and neither is my dear Pollyanna.
yeah, gimme gimme gimme!!! I want some more!!!
we live in a very bizarre era. we are given money to fix a screwed up economy, rather than the government using that same money to put people to work and create a strong economy with infrastructure that will actually have long term benefits.
All we are doing is feeding people for a day.
What are the chances of this new tax rebate that Obama is proposing. Is this only if he gets in office for next tax season or possible before the end of 2008.
I agree that we have to push Obama! It is our only hope to get the government to move into the new era and make the kind of progress we really need. It has been this low rumble by the intellectuals for way too long. It has to be done loudly from an empowered group. I don't know if it might have to wait until he is elected though. He seems to be going with popular consensus so he doesn't lose the election. All I know though, is that we won't get that kind of interest from McBush. God help us if he gets elected...really! I guess there is some hope there that he is pandering to those that will get him in office. I won't hold my breath...
So the government is going to spend billions to help out millionares. Meanwhile the rest of us real people keep taking it in the a$@ I LOVE THIS COUNRY!!!!
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