I just caught (what was probably a rerun of) Thomas Friedman on MSNBC with Tim Russert discussing The World Is Flat. In one segment, Friedman argued that the US government ought to impose a gasoline tax so as to spur investments in alternative energy technologies, because he thinks that the 21st century will be “green” and if American corporations don’t develop the technology, then companies in India or China will.

A few questions:

If Friedman has a foresight that others lack, then why is he asking for a governmental mandate instead offering venture capital to alternative energy entrepreneurs?

How does Mr. Friedman know that the national welfare gains from having green inventions produced in Detroit instead of Mumbai will outweigh the welfare losses of the gas tax?

Why is Friedman afraid of other nations’ companies producing inventions in highly profitable industries? Does he believe in national competitiveness?