Quote from krishiyer:
I might think aloud of a radical suggestion (Eutopia)& I am going to be hanged sure by most of you.This idea is implemented some what in small city states like singapore(not exactly democracies)
1.All 4 wheelers above 1100cc will be charged
$5000 first time registration charge
2.All automobiles above 2000cc should be charged $10,000 first time registration charge.
3.Inner city roads should have electronic road pricing thro remote sensors so that people dont drive in crowded inner city.
4.All new cars that do not give say 35-40mile per gallon will be charged additional $5000 first time registration charge.
5.The right to own a car will be auctioned & those who win only can buy new automobile.
6.Massive public transport system should be built.(train running on nuclear generated electricity+buses running on ethanol)
7.Everycitizen should undergo forced military style training learning motor cycle(100 cc japanese motorcycle gives 50m/litre (not gallon)+by cycle
8.Nationalise all oil fields, gas stations,refiniries ,oil/gas exploration/production etc
9.Any gas station selling above MRP(maximum retail price)will undergo minimum 1 year prison under essential commodity act.
10.All minerals (read ore/gas/oil) are prohibited from export.
11.Govt channeling agency can only purchase & sell the fuels.No private parties can enter this business.
12.all guzzlers(old cars above 7 years)will have to pay yearly $5000 registration charge
I can go onnnn.But this is possible only in dictatorships.
The reality is many countries already walking down this path slowly nationalising oil co's,declaring oil/minerals as a weapon & as a national security issue.You know who they are!!
There is a simpler solution: let prices rise and let the market take over. And, to help it along, why not increase gasoline taxes to $0.50 per gallon to fund better mass transportation and research other fuels such as alcohol from celulose.
DS