Fee/dividend plan good idea for U.S.
How can we create jobs, wealth and independence in the U.S. during our energy transition? Fortunately, there is a potential solution that will allow us to transform our energy system through market forces rather than government. It is what’s known as a revenue-neutral carbon fee and dividend.
The dividend refunds 100 percent of the revenue back to Americans and actually grows the economy. Government does not keep it; therefore it isn’t a tax. Businesses would have the freedom to choose how to innovate. Ultimately, the economy not only will be stimulated through this dividend but by increasing the demand for industry and individuals to search for low carbon alternatives and energy efficiency, requiring the growth of many new jobs. The fee would increase slowly over time, allowing for a smooth transition.
The carbon fee and dividend approach is supported by former President Ronald Reagan’s secretary of state, George Shultz. Bill Bray, retired manager at ExxonMobil, recently wrote an article stating, “This transition will cause changes in our economy over the coming years and decades; but if we let the market lead us, our engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs will thrive, developing and implementing these cleaner energy alternatives.”
Alex Johnson
Hixson
Smith’s column rankles reader
Robin Smith’s Feb. 29 column reinforces the image of a hypocritical evangelical who’s all too handy with advice for living your life but has no intention of applying the same to herself. She’s probably read the New Testament, yet has no comprehension of the first four books. I never thought we’d see a more tawdry, tit-for-tat, right-side neocon like former editor Lee Anderson.
Congratulations, Free Press, you’ve set a new low bar for your trade.
Allan Baggett
Trion, Ga.
High-speed chase not worth the risk
I was a witness to a car chase on Feb. 24. I was coming down the Ridge Cut and saw three police cars attempting to weave through traffic on Interstate 24, one flying through heavy traffic just past the U.S. 27/24 split, and amazingly, a Johnny-come-lately probably doing 80 or 90 miles per hour across the Olgiati Bridge.
I knew at the time that regardless of what they were responding to this was a high speed event that would lead to unnecessary suffering and injury on the part of other motorists. This chase was dangerous, reckless and unnecessary. It is akin to opening fire in a crowded street at a robbery suspect.
Let this suspect flee, and catch him another time. It is not worth the risk to chase someone “Dukes of Hazzard” style on our already dangerous highways.
Steve Petarra
Signal Mountain
Readers like faith articles
Recently in conversing with others, we found we all appreciate and enjoy Saturday’s Faith and Family page. We enjoy the variety of religious voices (writers) that page E1 and elsewhere in that section contain.
The daily Bible verse is an easy read. Thanks and don’t change anything.
Wayne Shearer O.D.
Hixson