Hillary Clinton Tax Policy

Hillary Clinton is the only presidential candidate who is ready to combat climate change, but it is imperative that she advocates a carbon tax if she becomes president, in order to pave the path for a future Democratic president to implement. Hillary Clinton’s campaign website discusses her plans on climate change. “We can tackle [climate change] by making America the world’s clean energy superpower and creating millions of good-paying jobs, taking bold steps to slash carbon pollution at home and around the world, and ensuring no Americans are left out or left behind as we rapidly build a clean energy economy.” Clinton’s climate goals are high. She plans to cut energy waste and American oil consumption by one-third, and have half a billion solar panels installed by the end of her first term.1 These goals will be achieved through the implementation of efficiency standards, investment of clean energy, regulation of energy production, cutting oil and gas companies’ tax subsidies, and promotion for conservation of natural and cultural resources.1 Many economists would argue: It’s not enough. Clinton’s climate policy may be extensive; nonetheless it, unfortunately, does not include a carbon tax. In order to prevent reaching any tipping points of irrevocably increasing the global temperature, anthropogenic carbon
A carbon tax would be incredibly damaging to her campaign. The public recoils from new taxes, and many would never imagine that their personal carbon footprint could be taxed. A unique challenge also presents itself when trying to establish a process of accurately measuring those carbon emissions for taxing. Furthermore, introducing new taxes is a difficult process, however even more concerning is that taxes are easier to cut.3 For example, if Clinton fought to implement a carbon tax and was eventually successful, the next president could, with added ease, cut that the