[IslandCrow]

Here in Finland the Minister of Finance has announced the basic ideas he would like to see in next year's budget. One item was a hike in 'energy tax'.

Under the plan, energy taxes would rise by 750 million euros from the beginning of next year. There will be a tax hike on diesel fuel as of the start of 2012, which will be accompanied by a cut in the tax based on fuel usage for all vehicles.

Also:

the budget plan includes higher taxes on sweets, ice cream and sugary soft drinks. This is projected to bring about 100 million euros more into state coffers.

Despite these rises there is going to be a large deficit.

Link: http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/07/ministry_unveils_50bn_euro_budget_plan_1862236.html

What was of interest in this was in the evening news it was estimated that this rise would cost a flat dweller about 100 euros a year, and the owner of a small house about 240 euros. The Finance Minister commenting on this said that he hoped that such a tax rise would lead to people being more careful about conserving energy.

Most Western countries have a large government deficit. Maybe we should all encourage more energy taxes to help deal with that and with the declining supplies.

[hillsidedigger]

"Maybe we should all encourage more energy taxes to help deal with that and with the declining supplies."

I agree and in the United States federal employee and contractor salaries should be cut by 1/8th. each year until the budget is balanced.

[Tanada]

Raising taxes never eliminates deficits, only cutting spending can do that. I agree with Hill, cut at the top and keep cutting till they stop spending taxpayers money foolishly.