Why not pass a carbon tax instead of a cap and trade system to control CO2 emissions?

Question

Why don't we eliminate all government subsidies for all forms of energy, including coal, oil, gas, nuclear, solar, wind, geothermal, wave, etc, and pass a carbon tax? This way energy sources that are carbon intensive will be more expensive, while carbon free sources of energy will be cheaper. Then the free market can work its magic to determine the best sources of energy while saving the planet at the same time. Plus we can use the money from the carbon tax to reduce income taxes on the poor, and thereby offset the effects of having to pay a higher price in the short term for oil and gas.

Answer 1

Because Al Gore, the environmental guru and Nobel prize winner, would be totally against it as it would heavily tax him.

Answer 2

Because taxes don't work.They cause companies to leave the US and take jobs with them.By the way the carbon credit is a tax,just found a better way to sell it to the American people.The poor pay very little or no taxes,how can you reduce zero?Please do some research and let me know how we can prove that Global warming isn't a natural occurring earth cycle.

Answer 3

Okay, first of all, the poor DON"T PAY TAXES... seriously... look it up.  Secondly, if you are such a free market fan, then you understand the corporations don't pay taxes either, they collect them.

Look, lets say I make red and green widgets, and the government, in it's esteemed wisdom, passes a 10% tax on green widgets (which are the best kind).

Now, what do you suppose is going to happen to the price of green widgets?  That's right!  The price will go up by... let's say it together... 10%!

Corporations don't pay taxes, they collect them.  Consumers pay taxes.

Answer 4

Such a suggestion has been put to use in Europe. Here is a separate one alternate laser and computer made currencies done by citizens to finance restructuring of cities to decrease distances to travel and more trains. End of roads. Produce goes by freight train.

Answer 5

A carbon tax precludes the free market working its magic.

Feel free to quit driving and go green - the poor and the starving are really enjoying the way the green movement is using their foodstuffs as fuel.