The ideas in this book have evolved over many years and have been inspired (wittingly or not) by many people. My father, Leo Barnes, is probably most responsible: he got me thinking about the structure of economic systems. Other intellectual companions (who are less responsible) include Harriet Barlow, David Bollier, James Boyce, Chuck Collins, Lewis Hyde, Marjorie Kelly, Frances and Anna Lappé, David Morris, Jonathan Rowe, Gary Ruskin, and Susan Witt.
In addition, I’ve benefited from the counsel of Marcellus Andrews, Dean Baker, Robert Borosage, Peter Brown, Dallas Burtraw, Robert Costanza, Herman Daly, Jane D’Arista, Steven de Canio, Peter Dorman, Richard Douthwaite, Gary Flomenhoft, John Fullerton, Mason Gaffney, William Greider, Jon Isham, Ed Kirshner, Dwight Murphey, Richard Norgaard, and Robert Reich.
I want to thank the many people who worked so hard to promote cap-and-dividend legislation, especially George Abar, Sam Boykin, David Fenton, Robert Friedman, Ted Glick, Ann Hancock, Ana Micka, Michael Noble, Bill Parsons, John Passacantando, Robert Perkowitz, Rafe Pomerance, Rick Reed, Amit Ronen, Mike Sandler, Darcy Scott Martin, Betsy Taylor, Mike Tidwell, and Lee Wasserman.
I particularly want to thank Representative Chris Van Hollen and Senators Maria Cantwell and Susan Collins for introducing cap-and-dividend legislation. They bucked polluting industries and stood up for middle-class families. I hope more political leaders will follow their footsteps in the future.
For first-rate research and editorial assistance, I’m grateful to Seth Zuckerman and Grace Chang. For time to think and write, I’m indebted to the Blue Mountain Center and Ragdale, two outstanding retreats for writers and other artists.
The people most responsible for this book are my wife and partner, Cornelia Durrant, who consistently encouraged me to be bold, and Steve Piersanti, my editor at Berrett-Koehler, who honed the book to its essence. I am deeply grateful to both.
—Peter Barnes
Point Reyes Station, California
January 2014