by Lorelei Cohen

Created on: March 21, 2008

If the government is considering giving tax incentives for people who are being environmental conscious in their vehicle usage by giving out tax credits to individuals who choose to purchase and drive alternative fuel vehicles, then my vote on this issue is, no way!

Just because someone decides to drive an alternative fuel vehicle it does not mean that they are doing any more to help out the environment than the next fellow. Although they may use a fuel source that is a little less pronounced in it's urgency than gasoline use currently is, the question remains, how much fuel are they consuming? These folks may figure that they have already done their bit for the environment by buying an alternative fuel vehicle and then go crazy on the amount of fuel that they consume? Why shouldn't they? They would have virtually be given a 'GUILT FREE DRIVING CARD' by the federal government.

They are also certainly not the only drivers out there working at being environmental friendly through preventative measures. What about all those other concerned individuals who have tossed away the keys to their gas gobbling SUV or monster truck, and who are now roaring around in little mini Austins or some such other microscopic bug of a car, which uses one tenth of the gasoline that their previous vehicle consumed. It would be my opinion that those folks would also deserve their fair share of the government tax breaks. They have probably cut their fuel consumption by a much higher degree than those folks out proudly burning around in their alternative fuel vehicles.

Now to mention those devote individuals who, for the sake of the environment, now choose to bike or walk whenever it is a viable option. These brave souls in their efforts to reduce their share of greenhouse gas emissions, choose to leave their vehicle at home, and use a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation to get them to their destinations whenever it is humanly possible. You know the folks that I am talking about, you see them out trudging through the snow, you drive by them in your alternative fuel vehicle when you are on your way to the corner store for that pack of smokes for the wife. Well just maybe those folks should have their efforts rewarded too!

Which brings us to those even more courageous individuals who actually retire the keys to 'Old Betsy' and switch to the use of public transportation instead. These brave souls now risk life and limb on a daily basis, they face the daily dangers of muggers and frostbite, and all for the sake of their contribution to a cleaner environment. Is the government willing to consider tax credits for these folks? I sure hope so.

In my opinion, if the government is just considering giving a tax credit to people who choose to drive alternative fuel vehicles, then my vote on this issue is a defiant "NO"!

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