When it comes to the environment, many conservatives don’t like conserving

This is certainly true here in Virginia where the repubs recently slapped a $64/yr fee on Hybrids/Plug_ins, despite an annual car tax system that already heavily taxes more expensive vehicles including hybrids/plug-ins. They also reduced state gaso taxes to lowest in continental USA, so tell me what taxes the hybrids are avoiding? (Federal gas tax they say)

 

there are many people in this country and probably the world that don't believe the environment is in any danger. especially if it affects their personal lifestyle.
currently reading crichton's 'state of fear'. fiction, but there is a lot of truth in it.

 

The butler did it.

Just kidding. Read it myself, it was interesting.

 

Virginia has the lowest gas taxes? Do they have other fees instead? Because I drove to DC from Georgia last weekend through Tennessee and the lowest prices weren't in Virginia...

I don't think it is fair to blame the conservatives for all the policies out there. Frankly, most people don't care about conservation, or anything related to it. Politicians care more about the dollar amounts than if they benefit anything else. It was trendy for a while to support all those causes, but when the economy tanked, suddenly, things didn't matter when it came to EV. Frankly, I am surprised that there isn't more support even with budgets.

 

if you want to know why politicians do what they do, 'follow the money'.

 

And then there's this...

 

a very bright guy, no doubt about it. but ten years later, i think he lost the debate. not because he was right or wrong, but for the very reasons he stated.

 

Rupert- First of all, DO NOT change your user name...it is the best!! The new Virginia taxes take effect July 1 , 2013 thus you have not yet witnessed the new low gaso taxes in Virginia. You may not, however, notice lower gaso prices in VA for a while, because VA has a relatively high wholesale cost. One of the arguments against lowering the state gaso tax, was that the gas stations would tend to charge the same amount as before. In other words, you may not actually "see" the lower taxes, rather the gas stations will just collect more profit margin. But most states (eg; Maryland) have chosen to increase gasoline taxes quite a bit. So eventually you may notice cheaper gaso prices in VA. Virginia conservatives have chosen the "path less traveled": Tax the democrats, only. The northern VA region is blue, so the repubs have chosen to increase taxes by sales tax increase mainly on north Virginia. The hybrid tax is part of that idea, as northern Virginians own the majority of hybrids. I do not intend to sound partisan, as the VA dems have been highly supportive of the repub antics, because the dems need the tax money for their tax-and-spend life-style. Both VA parties wrong in my view.

 

That is my dogs name, so I will never change it. My understanding, at least when we were looking at moving to NOVA for a job opportunity a few years ago, was that the area regardless of political affiliation was a lot wealthier than the rest of Virginia, so perhaps that has more to do with the tax situation. It makes me wonder if it will become a more affordable place to live with so many having government jobs and being affected by the cutbacks. It seems like an interesting and very expensive place to live. It would be nice if some decisions regarding incentives, and tax cuts could be made without them becoming political, but instead just the right thing to do.

Will look forward to seeing lower gas prices when I head out there for the Marine Corps Marathon.

 

Yes NoVa is more affluent but also more democrat and more transient. So it sets up a demographic situation that the repubs in the rest of the state, who control the government, feel NoVa should pay most of the taxes, to the extent of being unfair. Historically the good thing about Virginia has been low taxes but I think the new transportation bill puts Northern Virginia in the moderate taxation category, looking to go higher. Another good thing about VA is very good education schools and colleges.

My limit is the half-marathon, but I may have to revise that down to 10k with these old bones.

 

Conservative to a Repub does not mean environmental conservation, it is a desire to be reactionary and maintain the social structure status-quo. This is why a political movement of progressives is the correct response rather than liberalism.

 

You are correct as usual. Political conservatism means - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. We have activists on each side hoping to change the U.S. to their political vision. IMHO to some extent the anti-green emotions discussed in this thread probably reflect that the liberals are getting their way more in the eco-area. Repubs have become, I forget the word they used for it on the talk shows, but I think it is "congressional" party which means they have minority power in Congress but lack enough majority to win presidency and Congress needed to get their overall way on things.

There is a new bill in Congress, going for energy-efficiency as a goal, rather than forcing a certain fuel choice. Hopefully that gathers bi-partisan interest.

 

Pretty much, so long as we all understand it is not broke FOR ME. However, Repubs also just simply have a basic fear of progress, and default to a NO! stance in the face of ignorance. Given how ignorant Repubs are (and Dems too, for that matter,) the Repubs are in fact, the party of NO.

That would make WAY too much sense. Although honestly, efficiency per se only drives down consumption if the price/unit goes up. Otherwise people just waste more.

 

i know the type, believe me. you'll find them driving gas guzzlers and complaining about the cost of fuel. they also believe there is an endless supply of fossil fuel. and now, natural gas. they want as much to do with a product that 'protects the environment' as i do with a chevy suburban. and yes, i'm a financial conservative. i could have saved money with a corolla.