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So true...and then there is Canada. They held up quite well in the Housing/banking collapse compared to the US. And the bigger point is Canada mirrors so much the culture,the lifestyle, we are so used to here.lessons are to be learned from our neighbor to the North.
Canada and Europe sound great until you actually go and see how the average person lives and how much oppoturnity they DON'T have...besides, their socialist programs are self-imploding and private sector is flourishing. Socialism is not sustainable because eventually the needy parasites outgrow the people who can support them.
All you had to do was go to the USSR to realize how crappy life can be under a communist/socialist regime (which I did).
i don't like the idea. it seems like a silly European idea, where the politicians think they are smarter than not only the present markets, but the future ones too.
i think it is oppressive for the government to de-incentives the 17 year old who wants his 5.8L V8. He should have every opportunity to pay for his fun, and there is certainly no reason to give the government or industry any loopholes; hell, they use the most gas anyway.
it makes much more sense for me, if we (A) stopped giving the gas and oil industry so many subsidies and (B) doubled, perhaps tripled the national gas tax. We want less gas consumption, not smaller engines.
They do go hand in hand. The higher RPS and smaller displacement practiced in Europe and Japan has led to huge innovation, also shared by the USA as time went along. Diesel is another way to go. Mercedes has had that since 1936.... All ths stuff is really nothing new, and new is what is needed, we CAN do it !
They tried building cars in Ireland also...did not work out so well ether. Brazil has a strong Automobile MFG. heratiage....and they are getting off oil, one car at a time.
If you want Brazil's standard of living, go to Brazil. You're not going to sell it to a nation that spent generations of sweat and treasure to become a fully developed industrialized society.
you are arbitrarily deciding that everything about 3.0L is not worthy of future innovation, that ALL new innovation will occur in engines under 3.0L.
By taxing gasoline, not only are you removing this arbitrary preference for 2.9L instead of 3.1L, but you also reduce gasoline consumption equally across ALL sectors of the economy, not just passenger automobiles. And it is this freedom of choice for the consumer that makes America great. It is unAmerican to penalize Joe Consumer, while giving the Electricity companies, and the manufacturing companies, and whomever, a free pass on this taxation. It creates economic imbalances, and it sends a statement that burning 1 gallon of gasoline via electricity (say, running the oven) is "better" than burning 1 gallon of gasoline by driving a car.
Canada and Europe sound great until you actually go and see how the average person lives and how much opportunity they DON'T have...besides, their socialist programs are self-imploding and private sector is flourishing. Socialism is not sustainable because eventually the needy parasites outgrow the people who can support them.
All you had to do was go to the USSR to realize how crappy life can be under a communist/socialist regime (which I did).
Lets hear from some Canadians on this. Thats a fair statement. So far , all my Canadian friends are quite happy with the system. I am sure there are some disgruntled also, probably from Alberta.
If you want Brazil's standard of living, go to Brazil. You're not going to sell it to a nation that spent generations of sweat and treasure to become a fully developed industrialized society.
Only to send it all offshore, and increase the unemployment roles. Thinking outside the box is what I propose, not futher politics and protecting the Corporate bottom line at the expence of the People.
That's funny. My dad has worked in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for the last 15 years and says the exact opposite. That finally the people have something. And problems that are there stem from the corrupt government. But what does he know? He's only been there 15 years, dealt with locals, the government, foreign ambassadors...please peddle your pucky elsewhere.
That's funny. The per-capita GDP in Uzbekistan and Kirgyzstan is about the same as Sudan and Guinea, and about half of Ecuador and Nicaragua. But 50 years ago, every person in those countries had gainful employment, a modern house with amenities, a free education, and free health care.
Maybe your dad spends a lot of time associating with degree engineers and investment bankers and foreign ambassadors, and not enough wandering around the back streets and riding local busses into the countryside.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stan4
Canada and Europe sound great until you actually go and see how the average person lives and how much oppoturnity they DON'T have...besides, their socialist programs are self-imploding and private sector is flourishing. Socialism is not sustainable because eventually the needy parasites outgrow the people who can support them.
All you had to do was go to the USSR to realize how crappy life can be under a communist/socialist regime (which I did).
I was the "average person" living under Canada's system for 15 years. Don't try to tell me about it.
I can't wait to hear how much better is in Malawi or Sierra Leone under the capitalist regimes (where there are apparently no parasites). Tell us about those when you get back from your visit there.
You don't give people "opportunity" by telling them they are free to rip off whomever is dumb enough to be a victim. You give them opportunity by providing universal education, health care, nutrition,basic infrastructure, so those who can excel will excel.
What you need to understand is that Americans enjoy their cars. For most, it's not just an appliance to get from point A to point B. Cars have always provided a feeling of freedom, an outlet of expression, and just a plain sense of fun for Americans. Who is the federal government to strip this away by taking away choice? Stripping away people's freedoms one at a time was not the vision of government when this country was created and they have no right to restrict people to only one car.
Believe it or not, sports cars are a huge hobby for many people. From going to a roadcourse, dragstrip, autocross to car shows and cruises is a passion for so many that you may never understand.
Only to send it all offshore, and increase the unemployment roles. Thinking outside the box is what I propose, not futher politics and protecting the Corporate bottom line at the expence of the People.
you are arbitrarily deciding that everything about 3.0L is not worthy of future innovation, that ALL new innovation will occur in engines under 3.0L.
By taxing gasoline, not only are you removing this arbitrary preference for 2.9L instead of 3.1L, but you also reduce gasoline consumption equally across ALL sectors of the economy, not just passenger automobiles. And it is this freedom of choice for the consumer that makes America great. It is unAmerican to penalize Joe Consumer, while giving the Electricity companies, and the manufacturing companies, and whomever, a free pass on this taxation. It creates economic imbalances, and it sends a statement that burning 1 gallon of gasoline via electricity (say, running the oven) is "better" than burning 1 gallon of gasoline by driving a car.
Thats what Japan has done with their kei truck program. I don't disagree with your statements, but , we must find a way. Displacement is not the answer, we are not japan, we can do better than that.
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