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Re: Excellent Points (Reply to this comment)
by theuerkorn
John, thanks for your support. Looks like we're on the same page one more time. Feels good to know there are a few people who care 'out there'.
- Thomas
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Sep 07 '04
6:20 am PDT
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Excellent Points (Reply to this comment)
by Bruguru
I agree with you here, especially regarding your pet peeve about office power use. Unfortunately, it seems that many people just don't care about this when the cost does not come from their own pocketbook. Most of the people in my office leave their computers on when they leave, because that saves them a minute or two of boot-up time when they arrive the next day.
SUVs and mini-vans are another peeve of mine too. If you have a large family that's one thing, but I have to wonder when I see these huge vehicles with one person in them.
And you're right about China and other emerging economies, too. Our supplies are not as limitless as we think, not to mention the damage we do to our environment.
Best Regards,
John
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Sep 05 '04
11:48 am PDT
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Re: Good points-- (Reply to this comment)
by theuerkorn
Thanks for your feedback. I am glad you took the time to read it and actually comment on it. Consider yourself part of a select few. ;-)
You said: "The US has a history of careless use of energy, but I think that's changing slowly..." An currently that's even true, but looking back to the 80s, it has been true back then too and people forgot about it as soon as the crisis was over. (or covered up by industrial growth)
You also mentioned: " ... freedom to make individual choices that collectively aren't in our best interests? ... And LOTS of people evidently LOVE their SUV's!" Your are making a point but I think it just proves mine from the article that the people cannot be trusted with being the only driver in needed energy conservation actions. In fact, it's all part of the "convenience or 'just because'" part of energy waste.
I wonder how our great grand kids will look back at this period and forgive our excess since we meant good and really just liked it that way?
Anyway, thanks for participating.
- Thomas
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Aug 29 '04
5:10 pm PDT
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Good points-- (Reply to this comment)
by gaviidae
---on an important subject!
You said:
As with all taxes it's hard to control how the money is used, but environmental programs and improvements in infrastructure sure cost money and somebody is paying for it one way or the other.
The federal portion of the US tax on gasoline goes into a "dedicated highway fund" and it's required by law to be spent on improvements in surface transportation. Similarly the aviation fuel tax goes into a dedicated National Airspace Trust Fund. Of course, like all Gummint dedicated trust funds(including Social Security) they're routinely raided for whatever purposes politicians think will "buy" votes. So these "trust funds" are mostly IOU's to be ultimately paid by future tax increases!
The US has a history of careless use of energy, but I think that's changing slowly. Needs more attention all right!
Important point: What doea "freedom" mean? Freedom of choice? Freedom to make individual choices that collectively aren't in our best interests? Important tradeoffs here, it seems to me! But as a basic principle I dislike and fear Gummint coercion, even for social goals that SOME think are worthwhile. And LOTS of people evidently LOVE their SUV's!
Thanks for your entry, and again for sponsoring this W/O!
Regards,
Gavia
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Aug 27 '04
7:55 am PDT
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