Originally Posted by
furloughfuntime
Never hear people who are butt hurt over green energy subsidies complain about the billions of dollars in subsidies to the oil and gas lobby over the last several decades. It's okay when the government throws money at the oil barons, but it's a bridge too far when it comes to Green Energy?
Most people have no idea. Politicians brag openly and hold press conferences when they grant "cool" subsidies. But they don't do that for most other things.
Originally Posted by
furloughfuntime
Green Energy is good for the economy, it creates well-paying jobs, and the fear-mongering towards it on these boards is hilarious. For all the talk about the threat of China on here, you would think trying to lead the world in innovation in a new sector would be of national security interest.
Sure it's good for the economy.
The problem is that taking a slash-and-burn approach to ESTABLISHED economic sectors (such as petroleum and airlines) is actually quite bad for the economy, and a few jobs in the windmill industry aren't going to make up for that. For example what's the typical pilot going to do in green energy, drive a truck? For 20% of his pilot wages?
If GOVERNMENT is going to meddle catastrophically in major economic sectors then GOVERNMENT needs to develop the plan for job transitions. If they just regulate your job and lifestyle out of existence, and say "let them eat cake", they'll get the predictable results, complete backlash against policy and motives, and that extends even to legit underlying science (if any). Frankly any government plan to drive a major shift out of petroleum is going to require putting a lot of people on a very generous dole for life. Politically there's no other way. 51% of the population can't just vote away the lives, dreams, and financial future of the deplorable 25-30%... that's how you get insurrections (real ones, not dumbass rioters).
Basically they have to build the new system, and then invite the people in the old system to come on over.