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Tantalus42 -> RE: Solve the energy crisis (5/12/2006 9:03:16 PM)
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1) Taxes build bridges, schools, firehouses, policestations, etc. Thus reducing the problems of crossing rivers, educating the public, fires and crime. Sure... taxes don't solve any problems completely. But think how many problems would be out of control if there were no taxes.
2) Actually yes, they are poorly mismanaged. And not all have gone through a bankruptcy. Southwest, for example, has not and has managed to continue to thrive because of their GOOD management strategies.
3) Pointing out that your transit system was seriously broken does not prove that putting money into public transit is a waste. But your point is true... if you live in a rural location then of course transit - with its frequent stops - will be slower then driving. Urban locations with their massive traffic jams will have equal or possibly even lower transit times then driving.
However, transit is still cheaper for the environment and uses less energy then all those cars do. Add some hefty tolls to that roadway of yours and I bet more people would take the longer transit ride (and maybe they'd add some express vehicles once folks do). Thus... a tax moves people to transit, reducing a problem.
I missed alot of this thread, but to jump back to solar panels again: yes, there is some heavy metals generated during their production. But it is NOT signficantly more pollution then is created during the mining for coal or drilling for oil/gas, nor is it remotely as harmful to the environment since those metals are created in controlled environments and must be disposed of safely, while mining takes place outside and they can't control for all the run off and other potential problems.
Solar panels are our best bet for reducing energy costs quickly, cleanly and relatively cheaply. Subsidizing their purchase would be money well spent by the government instead of subsidizing more coal and oil explorations.
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