"Rationing Gas" revisited.
So as I expected, my "Rationing Gas" post from a few weeks ago didn't sit well with the audience. It doesn't really sit well with me either...
Here is what I see as the core problem. Everyone agrees we must conserve. The problem is that nobody really wants their consumption to be where the conservation takes place. Moreover, The market forces do most likely force conservation, but only because those at the bottom of the income scale don't have any choice but to stop buying.
Is this the fair and just way to curb consumption? Seems to me that the folks who get hit the hardest are most likely the ones who did absolutely nothing to increase demand.
I agree that the hands off approach is generally the most efficient market. Efficient markets however are built to encourage consumption and production, not conservation.
Without spewing out the GOP talking points, (Which I tend to agree with) (Drilling, Nuclear, Alternative fuels etc) Is there a way to proper way to encourage conservation without making the impoverished do the bulk of the conserving due to lack of funds? Why is it okay to make the poor suffer because the non-poor's appetite for oil? Why or why not?
