Plastic Bag Tax

Citizens in Ireland have been faced with a tax on plastic bags for the past five months. In doing so, the government has reduced the use of the litter producing bags by 90 percent and increased revenue.

I feel that this a great measure in helping reduce the litter of these bags. They clog up the environment and create dangerous situations for some animals as well. Not to mention that they require oil to be manufactured.

I have already seen a trend where more and more people are beginning to use reusable bags to do their shopping, but it hasn't quite reached the mainstream just yet. I believe that the U.S. could learn a thing or two about this.

In fact, why should we stop at plastic bags? Why don't we start taxing everything else that is not eco-friendly? I believe that gasoline should be taxed more than it is at the moment. If it were, you would begin to see people drive more fuel efficient vehicles, ride bikes more often and use more public transportation.

But instead we will continue to invade nations that provide us with a steady cheap oil supply. What ever happened to using innovation and invention to overcome obstacles? I know most Americans do not share my sentiment, but if we are to ever turn our polluting ways around, the government will have to step in and either mandate certain policies, or tax us for choosing more polluting alternatives.

What are your ideas or opinions on the subject? I would love to hear from you. Just leave a comment below.

Get Your Money From Congress

You could soon be receiving a rebate check from the government worth $300 to $800 a person. With the economy sinking faster everyday, the government is looking for a way to spur a turnaround. Along with rebate checks, President Bush also favors tax breaks for businesses.

There are many people out there that believe that this is an ineffective patch to the problem at hand. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review puts it bluntly, "Tax rebates, however, don't stimulate the economy. Cutting tax rates does". Becky states in her blog Just a Girl in short shorts, "Now, what would make a difference is if the government were to quit pocketing one third of our income, or at least knock it down in a meaningful way."

While I feel the rebate checks will undoubtedly be welcomed, I don't think it will help jump start our economy out of a recession. I believe that what ever positive spike in the economy is felt, it will be short lived and we will be back where we started.

What are your thoughts on the subject? Leave a comment to let us know!

$1 Gas Tax

In the past six years, the price of a barrel of oil has increased almost $65 by going from $25.50 to $90. Apparently after the tragedy of September 11, 2001 occurred, many called for a gas tax of one dollar to allow for more energy efficient designs from American automotive manufactures, and to keep revenue from going to the very countries that oppose the United States of America.

But the government decided that it would be in their best interest to not interfere with the free market and the price of oil has steadily increased. The tax was to be phased in over 12 months, and was to help Americans switch to more economical friendly automobiles and to be more energy conscience.

Personally, I think Americans have become spoiled in how we use our energy. Many always state that we have the freedom to do this. My question would have to be, "At what price?" The United States is one of the biggest polluters in the world and we don't seem to care.

While I'm not as dedicated or severe as a tree-hugger, I feel that if we can do minor things (that have a big impact) for the environment, why not do so. Unfortunately, others do not feel the same and need to see a change in their pocketbook before they will initiate change in their life. This is where the tax would have helped.

Americans do not rely enough on personal transportation (i.e. bicycles), or mass transportation, but instead climb into a huge 8 passenger SUV to transport usually just themselves (at 13 MPG). When gas prices peaked at over three dollars a gallon, you began to see a change in this trend. Many found alternative forms of transportation because they were forced to because of a change in their financial situation, not because they wanted to help the environment.

If the United States leaders care at all about the environment, they would initiate a stronger gas tax. But since the U.S. did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol, I doubt the government is interested in helping the environment. They only worry about their status and popularity; creating another tax or changing our way of life would disrupt how they are viewed and therefore the status quo prevails.

The $1 tax in itself would probably not do much for Americans other than cause them to spend more on gasoline...and complain. Some day others will realize that reducing emissions and oil usage will be beneficial to the environment and people. Hopefully it is not too late.