My thoughts:
The term “eco socialist” makes me a bit uncomfortable. It sounds like it might be more idealogical dogma that we already have enough of in other parties.
I’d like us to be the party that will do whatever is logical and supported by evidence, regardless of where it falls on the traditional left/right spectrum.
Of course some big socialist ideas, like investing in education and healthcare, are easily supported as being efficient and excellent investments by numerous studies.
But carbon tax is a market based solution that can trace its origins to the Republican party. eg Milton Friedman and Barry Goldwater. I think we can agree that pollution pricing is a useful tool, even though it complies with a right wing ideology.
Perhaps a bit off topic, but Income/wealth taxation is an important tool and I would be willing to pay more taxes if the money is spent responsibly. But the left too often emotionally espouse massive tax increases to the wealthy and corporations, without acknowledging the facts that it’s not a panacea, and it has some undesirable knock on effects. If we shake off the dogma, then we can find the optimal taxation formula.
TLDR: I don’t think we should pigeonhole ourselves with an eco socialist label.
What do you all think?
This is derived from the merger (or fusion) of Market Socialism and Environmentalism. Also this is derived from "Eco-Market Socialist Theory" which is the idea that Environmentalism and Market Socialism are compatible and can work effectively together to help against climate change and create a relatively anti-capitalist society since 'Markets can work in Socialism' according to this theory.
Howdy folks,
The GPCA will be considering this proposal at our upcoming June 2021statewide convention.
