Saturday, December 15, 2007

Petrol protests

How anyone dare complain about the cost of petrol here is beyond me. Many of us drive aggressively, with our foot hard on the accelerator pedal, as though we were taking part in some crazy race. Wasting the petrol we complain is so over-priced without a second's second thought. Pity we can't run our cars on the hot air we generate.
Yes, let the government tax petrol, as high as they need to. Then they should use the taxes to subsidise efficient public transport, and cycling and walking routes. More could be passed on to fund those whose car use really is essential.
We are too profligate. I include myself here, since if you are anything like me, you take the easy way out, and hop in the car. I've no doubt I'll continue to use mine as an outsize mobile handbag and office, unless it costs a lot more.

Note from BBC website - pretty small demos today.
Meanwhile a coalition of leading environmentalists have called on the government to improve public transport and encourage more efficient vehicles, rather than cut fuel tax.
Tony Bosworth of Friends of the Earth said: "If the government is serious about tackling climate change it must not cave in to pressure to make road travel even cheaper."
In October duty on fuel rose by 2p per litre. Duty rises over the last decade add up to 25% - less than the rate of inflation. But oil prices have gone up 270% in the same period.

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