A few thoughts about the future of this planet
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I think the carbon tax is an attempt to monetize the social (if we can call the demise of civilization social) costs of carbon emissions and making it possible for organizations to directly (indirectly?) offset their use of carbon with real (or imagined) mitigations, via cap and trade. Taxes are more often utilized to effect change (like the cigarette tax), which is debatable as a norm in our system. Anyway the carbon tax is a transparent and discreet mechanism with supporters and detractors along the spectrum, not just another amorphous conspiracy.
But I agree that once we make something a Tax we hand over the decisions and execution on what to do with the revenue to the governments which we may or may not trust. I'd like the factors that help change to stay more in the hands of the people.
A tax on water? I think the pressure on water is privatization and selling off our natural resources to the right wing oligarchs. Sure the politicians are helping to make it happen but to simply blame the government for everything as if the government were the source and not the tool of the greed and malevolence that stems from the heart of darkness, doesn't get you far. Talk about scams so is bottled water (Okay I've used bottled water, it's great in an emergency but--have you ever checked out hotel room bottled water over $7 depending on the hotel...usually just tap water shipped thousands of miles). It's a capitalist scam, nothing to do with taxes.
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Take a look at the number of companies involved in the supply of potable water, they claim investment is needed to secure our supply of clean drinkable water and put the prices UP. Where is the investment? The London circular water resovoir was funded nby the nation rather than the water companies and yet THEY put up the price for water rates as though they HAD. Take a look at farming in the downstream parts of the middle east and shortages are increasing year on year. We will face more and more cost for drinking water over the next ten years and it will be no joke then. http://www.middleeasterner.net/blog/2015/2/9/the-thirst-is-real-water-scarcity-and-solutions-in-the-middle-east
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There is little doubt that the carbon tax is just another con, every time something new comes along there is an associated tax on it. Looking at the way things are going, how ;long before we get even larger taxes on drinking water? Seriously, how much does a litre of evian cost compared to petrol or diesel?
We are facing a serious shortage of water in the mmiddle east due to the conflagration of the major water sources with hydro electric dams which will in future drier years create conflict. There are so many areas where we as citizens of this planet need to pull together or end up fighting for a chance to live. What a tragedy it would be if we could not do that. -
@mike amos said:
We will face more and more cost for drinking water over the next ten years and it will be no joke then. http://www.middleeasterner.net/blog/2015/2/9/the-thirst-is-real-water-scarcity-and-solutions-in-the-middle-east
Ireland is in a mess with regard to the new Water Board was set up to centralise the charging for water. It hasn't worked as there has been a mass revolt across the country and more than 40% of users did not and will not pay.
It is not that folks don't want to pay for their use of water. I think it's more a case of them not wanting a centralised controlling system that could easily be sold off to big corporations.
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No doubt where government would like to go. Public resources have been sold off for decades now.
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And again ... one cannot make this sh*t up.
#potus_ignoramus
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This administration ruins all the political dramas like "House of Cards" we were enjoying. Now nothing is too outrageous or outrageous enough to entertain. The shows are less enjoyable to watch, because calumny and calamity are real and sad, and everyday now.
Of course the real anti-hero is less a ruthless mastermind than a dangerous fool. Perhaps more like "Boss" or "Veep" than "House of Cards".
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@pbacot said:
Of course the real anti-hero is less a ruthless mastermind than a dangerous fool.
Sounds about right. From where I am standing, Trump distinctively looks like a complete dunce.
"Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated." Frightening. -
This is precious.
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This isn't bad either. From an interview with The Economist:
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Oh my.
Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian foreign minister and ambassador
The president was boasting of the “great intel” he receives when he discussed intelligence provided by a U.S. partner.
The Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com)
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So. Two years to the month.
The USA has a climate denier as a Pres.
Meanwhile the US Military is seeking urgent funds to get out of the coming tide.
And too many corporations to mention are setting up for changing conditions.My country, Australia, has the highest emissions per bod on the planet.
We nearly got the gov we needed. Instead we got the gov we deserved.
So Oz wont be helping any time soon.If you could all somehow energize everyone in your community to this reality, I am sure a lot of people would get it, and into it.
And it has to happen quickly, because IMHO most of us have about (?) years before your power goes out.
Or do you believe in the 'BladeRunner' type world existence?
Did you know that (smart/rich) people have been buying up big in NZ? -
Buying what in NZ? Land?
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Yes land, lots of it. I think the gov is doing something about it.
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Is it the usual lunatic fringe buying stuff because they are preparing for the apocalypse or people looking for a quick profit when it doesn't happen? Always someone willing to gamble on land when conditions seem favourable. The next thing these folk generally change is the zoning regs for land to their advantage which is criminal. I hope the government really does get a grip.
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Not usual lunatic fringe at all. Just smart, informed, cashed up realists.
Of course there would profiteers, but I don't get the impression that that's a big deal.
Will research...BTW. The 'Middle Kingdom' already has big and sometimes important chunks of OZ.
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I'd go to NZ if they'd take me! Don't have enough money.
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Me neither, sadly. Seems much more reasonable than anywhere in Europe, tbh.
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