Opinion Pieces by Get America Working!

Proposals for energy taxes and carbon taxes have been around since the 1970s, but a carbon tax recently has become more admired in the American political dialogue. Some believe it would be a powerful tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Others see it as the most economical and efficient means of reducing those emissions.

Testifying before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on global warming this week, former vice president and now climate-change evangelist Al Gore urged Congress "to reduce taxes on employment and production and make up the difference with pollution taxes," principally on carbon dioxide emissions. Like the predictions of climate change, the idea of using revenues from energy (or, if you will, pollution) taxes to reduce payroll taxes is not new, but Gore deserves credit for bringing both to congressional attention at a critical time.

Higher for energy, lower for payrolls - it's a proposal that the left and right are backing.

Unveiling its recommendations last week, the president’s Tax Reform Commission took two swings at fundamental tax reform . . . and missed. The commission proposed substantial changes in the tax code, but missed the opportunity to address what’s fundamentally wrong with the American economy.