The idea of adding pollution and resource taxes sounds great. The trouble is
by the time the law makers pass the law and the IRS writes up the fine details
you will have a jumbled mess that will be sure to protect the big corporations
and hurt the consumer. I use to prepare tax returns and found most tax laws
were created for the benefit of, the country. or economy. or environment
(environment would run a distant last place) but for the benefit of a group of
individuals that had managed through lobbyists or votes to persuade the law
makers to pass the new tax law FOR THEIR BENEFIT. That's why our tax laws are
such a confusing mess. Every few years under the guise of cleaning up the
mess the law makers satisfy someone and add another layer of laws to the tax
code.
I agree our consumption based economy is out of control and think we are
headed for a tremendous economic crash somewhere down the road. However, the
reason you need an expanding economy is to provide a living for the increased
number of people. I remember a recent post to sanet on hungry people that
said that most countries have enough food to feed their hungry but the hungry
do not have the money to buy the food.
According to economists your scenario on the million pig farm is flawed.
Their ideal million pig farm would provide cheaper meat for the consumer, more
jobs for workers and reasonable profits for the investors, while protecting
the environment. Reality is quite a bit different. AND IT'S ALL OUR FAULT.
We allow big business to cozy up to law makers and get what they want instead
of insisting on laws and enforcement that protects the consumer and the
environment. The vast majority of business's focus on one thing THE BOTTOM
LINE. That is why we must insist Government force business to the toe the
line.
On the whole I think a consumption tax coupled with resource and pollution
taxes would be a step in the right direction, however, I don't think we will
see a consumption tax anytime soon.
On another different note:
Like the farmers in the UK, I would like to know why PORK IS STILL SO
EXPENSIVE IN THE GROCERY STORE IF THE FARMER IS ONLY GETTING $18 A HUNDRED
WEIGHT.
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