Listen to Ross and Burbank weekdays on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM
 Ross+Burbank


bobinglis_ap980.jpg
Bob Inglis is a guy who believes climate change is real, humans are partly responsible, and therefore it is time for a tax on carbon. (2010 AP Photo/File)

Suppose we taxed income less, and carbon more?

BY Dave Ross  on December 28, 2012 @ 10:18 am (Updated: 10:36 am - 12/28/12 )

Bob Inglis is a former Republican senator from South Carolina-- and how conservative is he?

"You're taking to a guy who at a 93 percent American Conservative rating; 100 percent Christian Coalition; 100 percent National Right to Life," explains Inglis.

He voted for Romney, he would have voted for Santorum. Yet here's a guy who believes climate change is real, humans are partly responsible, and therefore it is time for a tax on carbon.

Says Inglis, "Yes, a tax swap. Let's put a tax on something we want less of and un-tax something we want more of."

Which would mean, for example, slap a tax on carbon, which we want less of, and remove the tax on corporate income, or the tax on payroll income, since income is something we want more of.

Sounds logical, but there might be some push-back, because in practice he admits, "It does cause the price of gas to go up, it does cause the cost of electricity to go up."

But suppose if in exchange, you cut the payroll tax, which every wage earner hates? It might fly. I've often suggested taking the next step in using the free market to make better decisions -- paying for our presence in the Persian Gulf by adding the cost of the Fifth Fleet to the price of gas, since that's why we're really there. But Congressman Inglis says there's a limit to the support for this kind of radical honesty in Congress.

"It's a very small luncheon at this point but as someone said of the financial crisis - it's interesting how the impossible can go to the inevitable without ever passing through the probable," says Inglis.

Congressman Bob Inglis: hoping that one day there will be room in the economic debate for a little imagination.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
More Ross and Burbank

MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (91)


  • Add A Comment

  • fartforce1 wrote...
    If a republican is offering advice on taxes...RUN!
    December 30, 2012 7:12 am
    The only person he is working for are the top 1%, NOT YOU - STUPID!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • fartforce1 wrote...
    I am supposed to trust a republican when it comes to taxes?
    December 30, 2012 7:17 am
    Republicans are willing to let the fiscal cliff swallow all of america, rather than taxing those making more than 1 million a year at the same rate those making 50K a year are taxed. They say its unfair to the ultra wealthy.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    fartforce1
    December 30, 2012 8:07 am
    I'd say don't trust a republican OR democrat regarding taxes. And your post suggests you're well behind the news curve. The GOP offered a bill raising taxes on those making over 1 million, which was the offer from Pelosi. Then the dems admitted they didn't really offer that honestly...it was just a false offer to make republicans look bad. If you are interested in laying blame you will be remiss if you leave democrats out of the blame circle.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    It never made it to the House floor irrational
    December 30, 2012 10:07 am
    Boner didn't have the support of his own caucus.

    The GOP never "offered" anything.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    William Lawn
    December 30, 2012 12:44 pm
    They offered something, it was never brought up for a vote because the republicans didn't like the lack of spending cuts and the democrats because they were lying about their support for a 1 mllion dollar threshold for the tax. As I said, don't trust the republicans or democrats...you can foolishly support one half of the same team if you wish...your choice.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    It never came up for a vote irrational
    December 30, 2012 12:48 pm
    The GOP "offered" nothing.

    Boner could have scheduled a vote, instead he adjoined the House.

    You can tell all the lies you want, it doesn't change the facts.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    William Lawn
    December 30, 2012 4:10 pm
    I said it never came up to a vote, you say it never came up to a vote and yet you call me a liar, and by extension claim you are a liar since we stated the same thing. stupid troll.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    It doesn't change the facts, irrational
    December 30, 2012 9:04 pm
    If it never made it to the floor, the GOP "offered" nothing.

    When losing an argument on a blog, start calling names, like you just did.

    Thanks for the laugh.

    Both times.

    I just move along again.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    rational
    December 31, 2012 5:17 am
    During a negotiation offers are made and taken off the table as negotiations procede.The Dems have offered the SAME tax rate to the wealthy as all other tax payers on the FIRST $250K of their income.Yes income over that $250K WILL be taxed at a higher rate.The REAL problem as I see it as the Tea Party will not agree on ANY tax increase,they are unwilling to compromise and Bohner is Stuck in negotiations because of this
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    The Dear Leader told the Parrots that voting was the best revenge.
    December 30, 2012 9:52 am
    That is what it is all about with LWP. Revenge! The Dear Leader is all about crushing the Republicans.

    As far as the RINOS and Progressive Republicans. The Dear Leader will not abolish the Republican party. Nor should we. This would mean that we will always have a Dictatorial regime on us Americans and end of our representative republic. What we need is core Conservatives in Congress and a solid Conservative that we can elect for President.

    We have seen what Obamunist and Obamunism are all about and the results of the last 4 years. Our America is dying as a result of dependence upon big intrusive ObamaGovernment. It will be it's own downfall.

    2014!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Going over the cliff is the best revenge too.
    December 30, 2012 11:40 am
    Let's see we will go over the cliff and have a big "debt ceiling" fistfight. Fact is the Democrat's have not (the Senate) developed a budget in 1300 days. This is required by law.This is how the Democrat's can "borrow"a Trillion dollars every year.Do not trust the Democrat's on taxes or Fiscal matters.Better yet don't trust the Democrat's with anything.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    haha
    December 31, 2012 5:19 am
    The FACT that your side LOST the recent election just doesn't sink in does it?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Obama has nothing to lose if we do go over the cliff. He thinks!
    December 30, 2012 1:08 pm
    The state run media will blame the Republicans and all the Useful Idiots will believe what they are told to believe by the Obama ministry of Propaganda!

    2014!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    The Dear Leader Obama will abolish the Republican party and he did . . . .
    December 30, 2012 1:25 pm
    he has a mandate to tax - did I say tax - 'yes he can' tax the rich to death. What we don't need is anymore_ core Conservatives in Congress. We have seen the results of Dear Leader Obama the last 4 years. We Americans have liked what we have seen and reelected the king. It will be the House Circus Clown Republicans downfall. 2014! All must go!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    CH/Joseph
    December 30, 2012 5:25 pm
    Whatever you say
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    How about when your Dear Leader get his tax increases
    December 30, 2012 5:19 pm
    and NOBODY pays them? You Parrots can pay all the ObamaTaxes. You did what you were supposed to do and re immaculated him so you pay for your *&^% up!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    haha
    December 31, 2012 5:21 am
    Yes ALL Dems earning over $250 WILL have their taxes increased under Obamas plan
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    These mindless Left wing Parrots.
    December 30, 2012 5:30 pm
    They think that the Obama regime will be America's form of government for decades, if not forever. History shows that this will not be the case. Obama will be gone and we will have a Non Liberal (Conservative?) in office. Then it will go back to a totalitarian oppressive Obama style of government then back. Whatever "Landslide" immaculation they think Obama had, just like the "Landslide" in oh 8, will be just as much and more than what they are squawking about when we Americans take our government back. The sad part is that it will take many many years to correct what Obama has done in the last 4 years and the next 4 years.

    The bright side is more and more Obama supports are seeing this thing for exactly what it is and/or simply cannot afford Obamunism. The Paradine shift is begun!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    ch, We have seen the results of Dear Leader Obama the last 4 years
    December 30, 2012 5:45 pm
    Yes we have! The increase in the hate, anger and the racism the mooching and the "Love" of a nation, controlled by a Socialist Obama regime, that more and more resembles the heart of a third world nation. Detroit and other Liberal controlled cities.

    "Tax the rich to death"? That is inciting violence toward the producers in our nation. The very people's who's money is stolen from them by the regime and given to the likes of the filthy ch and other mindless Useful idiots!

    All these Left wing Parrots are a blight, a POX upon our nation and us hard working Americans!

    How long before the next left wing mass murder surfaces and kills more innocent Americans?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    bill law and its the moron
    December 30, 2012 7:16 pm
    Are room mates. They have to be to have the same dismal outlook on life. What a sad way to live. What else do you guys have in common?..........
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    longway
    December 31, 2012 5:23 am
    Which MORON?We have lots of Rightys that fit that definition
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Like I have posted SOOO many times before,
    December 30, 2012 8:21 pm
    Fish on!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    Democracy
    December 30, 2012 11:49 pm
    Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule- and both commonly succeed, and are right.— H. L. Mencken.What a fantastic quote , I wonder when Democrat's will wake up to see the damage they have wrought.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    Ron_Spins
    December 31, 2012 1:25 am
    Good quote...I'd also question of the GOP will wake up to see the damage they have also wrought.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    Fish on?
    December 31, 2012 8:46 am
    The problem is you're such a mental midget that you keep hooking yourself.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Ha ha ha!
    December 31, 2012 10:20 am
    Like I posted,,,,,,,,,,,!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }