Fight Global Warming by Taxing 'McMansions,' Dingell Says

CNS News reports:

The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee this week announced a plan to fight global warming by reducing carbon emissions up to 80 percent by the year 2050. This would be done by raising gasoline taxes 50 cents per gallon and ending mortgage tax deductions on large houses, which the Michigan Democrat called "McMansions."

During town hall meetings in Ann Arbor and in Dearborn, Rep. John Dingell said he will make these proposals as part of a multi-tiered bill he will introduce on Sept. 1 in his committee, which handles legislation dealing with global warming.

Some home-contracting firms, however, criticized Dingell's proposal as misguided and economically detrimental. And some conservative tax experts agreed, noting that Americans already pay too much in taxes and raising taxes more will only curtail consumption and investment.

Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.)Dingell said his measure will call for an economy-wide tax of about $100 per ton of carbon dioxide emissions; a cap-and-trade system that limits emissions but allows companies that pollute beyond their limits to buy credits from industries that produce less than their allotment; and provide extra funding for research on renewable energy.

But the congressman's most controversial recommendation was to take away the mortgage interest deduction for "McMansions," which he defined as homes larger than 3,000 square feet and which use more energy than smaller houses.

Comrade Dingell wants to take more money out of the taxpayers.