me: > a carbon tax would hurt both the rich and poor alike in proportion to their use of carbon-based fuel.<
socialismorbarbarism wrote: > Sure, in the same way a flat tax hurts both rich and poor alike, proportional > to income. That's not true, but it is true that as a sales tax, a carbon tax alone would likely be regressive. That's why many "carbon tax" proposals involve using some of the revenue to cut taxes or increase benefits for the poor. Of course, the _actual_ impact of a carbon tax (or any other tax) depends on the balance of class forces in society. It's unlikely, therefore, for any carbon tax to be complemented by programs that help the poor. Given low degree of working-class-power nowadays, _any_ government program is likely to screw the working class. Workers in the US (and many other places) are in a downward spiral. Of course, the Earth's atmosphere is in a different kind of vicious circle. cheers, Jim Devine / "Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti." (Go your own way and let people talk.) -- Karl, paraphrasing Dante. _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
