Green Dictatorship

Volunteering to go green is one thing, but what if you were forced to go green? We all know that it's for a good cause, but does the government have to right to force its citizens to be environmentally friendly?

People in Germany are currently debating this question because in Marburg, the citizens are going to be forced to use solar panels on their homes. Here's an excerpt from the NY Times article:

"The town council took the significant step in June of moving from merely encouraging citizens to install solar panels to making them an obligation. The ordinance, the first of its kind in Germany, will require solar panels not only on new buildings, which fewer people oppose, but also on existing homes that undergo renovations or get new heating systems or roof repairs.

To give the regulation teeth, a fine of 1,000 euros, about $1,500, awaits those who do not comply.

Critics howled that the rule, which is to go into effect on Oct. 1, constituted an attack on the rights of property owners. The regional government in Giessen stepped in and warned that it would overturn the rule." - Nicholas Kulish

The bottom line is...

Eventually, everyone should move towards better energy sources, but it should definitely be on their own terms.