Re: “Which cities have the most gas ‘superusers’ and how Seattle ranks” [March 16, Local News]:
The recent article by Gene Balk is right on. We must stop using gas. However, for those whose lives and in some cases livelihoods depend on long drives, the conversion to electric transportation seems next to impossible. But the transition is doable. The answer? Give “superusers” super subsidies.
Yes, it would require just one more federal and state incentive and thus a larger tax burden for the general public. However, some of the money could come from a fossil-fuel tax, which for many other reasons will be necessary. One might say, “All well and good, but what about the current inflation, including the price of gas, not to mention the war in Ukraine?” Yes, seemingly impossible, but again doable.
The conflicting crises of war and accelerated global warming make any way forward seem impossible. But again, doable. We are in a time similar to 1942, 1979, 2011 and in fact 1776 when our fight for freedom from a despotic ruler seemed impossible, a fight that we almost lost. We rallied then. We can rally now. Our leaders only need to believe in us.
Warren Burrows, Seattle
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