Never underestimate the creativity of progressive think tanks.
Clifford Winston’s op-ed “UAW Strike May Hasten Detroit’s Decline” (op-ed, Sept. 22) is further evidence that energy-transition advocates want to change your behavior. He proffers “an efficient vehicle-miles-traveled tax,” wherein the government could “reduce driving, especially during peak periods,” as a more efficient means to cut emissions. This would require the government to track vehicles and tax their owners for driving at the wrong time or place and for fueling or charging your soon-to-be-mandated EV at the wrong time.
Another behavior-change goal, giving emissions primacy over freedom, is reducing the number of cars Americans own. Mr. Winston notes that “a prolonged UAW strike could fuel inflation by reducing the supply of cars and in turn cause the Federal Reserve to maintain high interest rates.” A mere strike will be inflationary? Just wait until states enact their bans on the sale of conventional cars.
Continue reading the entire piece here at The Wall Street Journal (paywall)
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Mark P. Mills is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute; a partner in Cottonwood Venture Partners, an energy-tech venture fund.
Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images