A federal carbon tax is imminent in the USA, and Exxon is pushing it

Re:A federal carbon tax is imminent in the USA, and Exxon is... by just_a_guy_101 on Monday August 29, 2016 @01:41PM (#12383620)

I feel like a lot of the people who push carbon taxes have little to no empathy for those who live in rural communities.

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Re:A federal carbon tax is imminent in the USA, and Exxon is... by sauwan on Monday August 29, 2016 @02:32PM (#12384041)

I feel like a lot of the people who are against carbon taxes have little to no empathy for those who live in areas of the globe most likely to become less hospitable to life in a few decades.

And that's a lot more people who tend to be much poorer than even the poor rural Americans.

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Re:A federal carbon tax is imminent in the USA, and Exxon is... by just_a_guy_101 on Tuesday August 30, 2016 @10:29AM (#12390470)

People in rural communities typically earn less and consume more petroleum based products. They don't have public transportation. A carbon tax will only further widen the gap between the rich and the poor.

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Re:A federal carbon tax is imminent in the USA, and Exxon is... by OrwellianChild on Tuesday August 30, 2016 @02:42PM (#12392729)

People in rural communities typically earn less and consume more petroleum based products.

The argument goes, this is exactly why a carbon tax is needed. The externalities of using fossil fuels aren't captured in the price, leading to overconsumption. There are plenty of ways to mitigate impact, either by applying a graduated subsidy to low-income populations, etc. Allowing folks to continue to live in a financially unsustainable way doesn't seem to be the answer...

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Re:A federal carbon tax is imminent in the USA, and Exxon is... by OrwellianChild on Monday August 29, 2016 @02:22PM (#12383952)

Can you explain why you feel that way? How would a carbon tax impact rural communities specifically?

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Re:A federal carbon tax is imminent in the USA, and Exxon is... by JamesBarney on Monday August 29, 2016 @07:47PM (#12386334)

Rural communities spend more carbon than city communities. Basically they drive farther. Also less people live in apartment buildings which are more efficient to cool/heat because of shared walls.

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Re:A federal carbon tax is imminent in the USA, and Exxon is... by just_a_guy_101 on Tuesday August 30, 2016 @10:27AM (#12390455)

Exactly James. I don't live in a rural area, but I did grow up in a small town. You have to drive everywhere. Most people live in houses. I have a problem in general with taxing for change. It always benefits the large corporations and crushes the small businesses. Besides that, the three letter agencies have a horrible track record of catering to corrupt companies.

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