- So McCain wants to lift the ban on off shore drilling. Obama doesn't.
I go with Obama, but not as much because of the environment (which offshore drilling barely affects) but because I want to save it for later. I don't know if Obama cynically thinks this too, but he's closer to my position, regardless of the reason.
McCain wants a gas tax holiday, and Obama doesn't.I go with Obama on this. The gas tax is really iffy if you talk to elite economists.
The gas tax holiday is a stupid, cosmetic idea. But it doesn't really hurt anything much in the long term, so I can't say that McCain is wrong to support it. They are, after all, running for president.
- Obama wants to cut the Enron loophole and increase regulation on oil speculators. McCain hasn't said anything about this.
I agree with Obama on this. Economists have been saying that there is a large speculation bubble going on at the moment.
I agree with you (and your dad, and Obama) here. These under-the-radar dealings have a lot greater influence on our economy than people realize. Even if it hurts my company, I want it under control.
- Obama wants to spend 160 billion on developing alternative energy. I'm going to take a wild guess that McCain is against that
.
I agree. We need to increase our scientific R&D spending.
Iffy question. Shouldn't the companies that are going to benefit from alternative energy fund their own research? Well, maybe not. Maybe we need some "pure research" that is untainted by pragmatism too. As a scientist, I tend to give the nod to investing money in science, but I recognize that I might be prejudiced. I'll abstain due to partiality.
- McCain will give a five thousand dollar tax break per customer for car companies that make a zero emission car. Obama hasn't said anything about this.
- He will also have a 300 million dollar tax break as an award for anyone who develops a good car battery for hybrids/ electric cars (or something like that). Obama hasn't said anything about that.
Now this is interesting. This is the free market aspect of McCain. I rather like this too. But it is different than actually funding research. This could get more people working for less, but it doesn't guarantee work being done.
I agree with it in principle, but it's a cheap trick. There cannot be a "zero emission" car unless you totally redefine emissions. Fricken horses have emissions. The 300 mill award sounds nice but it will pale in comparison to the profit to be gained via the market for doing such a thing. This is all for show. Perhaps Obama will join in (or make similar symbolic but pointless gestures) or perhaps he'll point out the shallowness of it. Either way, it is a non-issue.
- Both are for carbon cap and trade.
Personally, I like the carbon tax better, and it is recommended by economists. But, of course, it would be politically impossible.
The problem with elections is that it is necessary to promise the impossible. Once you get elected, you start working on your excuses.
An honest politician would pledge to dedicate time and effort to solving these problems and cite some realistic and concrete ways of working toward the goals.
But honest politicians don't get elected. They are too boring. Voters
want cheap tricks and blustering rhetoric. If you don't provide them, you will lose.
