Jackson Blackwell and Kobe Rizk, proud young Republicans, wrote recently that it is time for action on climate — an admirable decision, but a little late, as Republicans have been opposing climate action for 20 years. They prefer “free-market” solutions, like a carbon tax — although, as Republicans they can’t utter the word “tax,” so they call it a “price” — rather than the Democrats’ approach of “regulation.”
Isn’t a carbon tax and dividend a government regulation? I suppose the oil industry subsidies the government provides are some sort of “free-market solution.” Come on — the “free market” is created by government regulation, and the debate is not over whether there is to be a “free market,” but whose regulations are going to control it.
— Harold Johnston
Anchorage
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