Stewart Hargrave<
[email protected]> wrote in
news:
[email protected]:
> You seem to be a little confused. You blame the government, yet
> suggest hitting the oil companies.
But the oil companies are hardly innocent bystanders. Almost all of them
have questionable human right records, and the two in question here, BP
and Exxon/Esso, are amongst the worlds biggest polluters. Exxon leverage
their relationaship with the US government to lobby for reductions in
climate change controls and emission controls, and the right to plunder
Alaskan national parks.
> Now, if you think there is too much tax on fuel, the oil companies
> will agree with you, so hitting them in any way won't help anything
> (assuming your proposals will affect them at all).
> If you think that recent petrol rises are the fault of the guv'ment,
> well you may be right, but not necessarily in the way that you think.
> Overall, we have little direct say in the cost of a barrel of oil.
The "free market" controls the cost of oil. But while America continues
to use oil profligately, they will continue to drive demand that
increases prices. Conversely, the British government could act to put in
place more sustainable energy projects, and reduce our own demand for
oil, and we could also leverage our special relationship with the USA
(the one that requires us to do whatever the hell Dubya tells Tony to) to
drive policy change in the US.
> If you think that lowering tax on fuel will make us all better off,
> many economists will disagree, because the Chancellor has revenue and
> spending targets - you will just move the tax to a different place.
> Lowering the tax on fuel will do nothing to prevent rises due to
> problems in Saudi.
But part of the reason that there is more tax on fuel (and on other
things) is that successive governments have rolled over to the demands of
international business in a way that places the brunt of the tax burden
on working stiff, and reducess the total contribution made by corporate
entities. SO basically the big shareholders are getting richer while the
working and middle classes face a greater tax burden.
> If you think you are spending too much for fuel for your personal
> transport, campaign for a régime change by all means, but it may be
> more than just our government you need to overthrow.
But don't let that stop you. After you succeed in bringing about the
downfall of our government, please feel free to direct your attention to
the man who claims to be the President of the United States of America
next.
> Meantime, here
> are some alternative suggestions that many people find beneficial:
>
> Walk more
> Use a bicycle
> Use a more economical car
> Alter you driving style
> Convert to an alternative fuel
Agreed!
