Tax and breathe Democrat gives carbon debate oxygen

The Age reports:

A CARBON tax needed to be offset by other tax cuts, said climate change campaigner and former US vice-president Al Gore.

Mr Gore told The Age that taxing companies on the basis of their carbon dioxide emissions could be accompanied by the elimination of payroll tax.

"What I have proposed is a revenue-neutral change in the tax system in my country," he said. "I recommend a reduction in all employment-based taxes down to zero and replace that with pollution taxes including principally a CO2 tax. So the overall amount is the same.

"You can have adjustment programs for those industries and sectors that are disadvantaged by the shift, but we should encourage employment and discourage the destruction of the planet."

He acknowledged that a carbon tax would be difficult to get through politically.

No word yet from global warming guru Al Gore on why it's 35 degrees today in Chicago.