are the government right?

Question

to put on a fuel tax on planes to help with the problem of global warming or is it more trying to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted

Answer 1

The current government will put a tax on anything. Any common sense person knows that by putting a little tax on something will not stop it. Planes are only a small part of the ozone layer problem. America in it's usual selfish way, will do nothing to allay the effects of global warming, and could not, just possible, rockets balasting through the ozone layer have something to do with it's depletion?
You know, those rockets that are going up to the space station so that eventually they can build a rocket heavy enough to get a man safely through the "Van Allen" Radiation Belt, to get to the moon that they didn't reach in the 60's.

Answer 2

as earlier contributors have said.. its a tax, not a green / environemtnal tax.
Does it change behaviour
What are its claimed beneifts?

If it was eriously about redcuing greenhouse gas emissions then it would be significantly higher.. its slapping on a tax to raise revenue in a mnner wihihc may hurt but doens't stop the activity
is it about time we questioned why it is that train travel is so dramatically more expensive than flight (or car for that matter)

At the same time you could say which countries finances are in such a poor state that it desparately needs more money...( answers on a postcard to Grapsing Gordon, care of the Treasury)

Answer 3

Is there global warming? or is it natural climate change? If we have GW, is it caused by greenhouse gasses? ie. is it man made? In my book, these questions have not been finalised. In the meantime, I am deeply suspicious that the government has spotted a much needed tax raising opportunity, which was given impetus by the equally suspicious, anti capitalist greens/lefties, and assorted tree huggers.

Even if it were all true, their measures would make virtually no difference.

Answer 4

The world is not over yet, so the horse hasn't quite bolted... Better to do something than nothing, although maybe they could counter it with a reduction in tax elsewhere, so that things such as public transport become affordable... thereby also reducing the amount of cars on the road, especially in London.

Answer 5

Yet again we are only swelling Gordon Browns coffers.The government live in an unreal world.We are told use public transport,sadly the working mans pocket does not stretch to rail fares,on something like a simple journey to London as an example it is cheaper to use my car or take a flight.

Answer 6

Of course not.
Global warming will go ahead regardless of taxes being imposed. The world is hopeless and helpless when it comes to environmental issues. They can't help seize out the speed up of global warming!

Answer 7

The vast majority of the public don't use planes. The best way to cut carbon dioxide emissions is through business, but if Gordon Brown will do so it will be another story!

Answer 8

No!

Look at the deeper issue - when they use planes for their worldwide jollies - they don't pay a penny! We do!

When they are driven all over the country in their chauffeur driven limos - they don't pay for the fuel - we do!

Tony Blair when asked how much fuel cost per litre - said something along the lines of ' Urrmmm! I couldn't comment on that at this moment ' - Then one of his aides leaned forward and told him and he was heard to say 'A much as that'.

Answer 9

This has nothing to do with helping global warming.
This is another excuse by this government to raise taxes.

Answer 10

People are largely motivated by money, though taxation as a deterrent is discriminatory against those on lower incomes.

Putting tax up on cigarettes doesn't stop people from smoking and putting taxes up on air travel will not stop people from flying.