Wellstone "Remaking America" Essay Contest

I recently submitted an essay titled "America's Energy Revolution: A Tax Incentive Approach" to an essay competition on "Remaking America" that is being held in honor of Paul and Sheila Wellstone. It's a very quick read, because the competition had a strict word requirement of between 260 and 280 words. Definitely not a lot of space to lay out a detailed plan to "Remake America", but I guess brevity is the point. I've attached it below. Let me know what you think.

America’s Energy Revolution: A Tax Incentive Approach

Currently, our economy is in shambles, gas prices are at record highs, global warming is accelerating, and Peak Oil is quickly approaching. How we get our energy is not just an environmental issue, but also an economic, national security, and social justice issue. Solutions to the energy crisis proposed by our political leaders are wholly inadequate. Instead, what America needs is a bold, innovative plan that puts us on the path to energy independence rather than oil dependence, that is not afraid to challenge the status quo in Washington, and that demands more from the American people while providing more for the American people. What we need is an energy revolution.

In order to facilitate an energy revolution, political leaders need to employ economic incentives to encourage innovation, efficiency and conservation. This must be done in two primary ways. First, we have to shift income and payroll taxes over to resource consumption taxes. In doing so, we send a message to businesses and the American public that we admire hard work and disvalue harmful forms of energy such as burning carbon-based fuels. This tax shift must reassure the public that taxes are neither being raised nor lowered but simply shifted. It must also be progressive enough to ensure that consumptive taxes do not disproportionately affect low-income Americans. Second, this tax restructuring must be coupled with tax breaks for investment into renewable energy sources and efficiency as well as subsidies for conservation programs, public transit, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, etc.

The time has come for us to face our energy crisis. America has the opportunity to become a global leader in clean, renewable power. We can do better. And we must.