Re: More Good Policy from Obama (Seriously)
VAT is a terrible idea.
It won't raise nearly as much as anyone thinks it does - just look at all of the VAT scams - as well as black market activity/labor - in Europe.
Carbon taxes are also equally a bad idea. Everything generates carbon.
If you want to use taxes to redirect behavior - i.e. reduce foreign oil imports - then increase federal taxes on gasoline.
If you want to reduce energy usage, then increase property taxes along with gasoline taxes. Smaller homes = less energy use per person.
I completely agree with EJ and Dr. Michael Hudson: the problem isn't taxes - it is FIRE economic rent.
VAT is a terrible idea.
It won't raise nearly as much as anyone thinks it does - just look at all of the VAT scams - as well as black market activity/labor - in Europe.
Carbon taxes are also equally a bad idea. Everything generates carbon.
If you want to use taxes to redirect behavior - i.e. reduce foreign oil imports - then increase federal taxes on gasoline.
If you want to reduce energy usage, then increase property taxes along with gasoline taxes. Smaller homes = less energy use per person.
I completely agree with EJ and Dr. Michael Hudson: the problem isn't taxes - it is FIRE economic rent.
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