Fair 46.0°F Fair [Forecast] :: Friday, November 20th, 2009
Vacation Info Wedding Info Kids/Parents NEW! Pets

Conservative's Conscience

"Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have ... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases." - President Thomas Jefferson
Please visit these local CapeCodToday sponsors:
Law Office of Robert R. Waldo
Attorney Robert R. Waldo, located on Route 6A in Dennis, specializes in real estate, family law, and estate planning. (Dennis)
Whalen Restoration Services, Inc.
Help when you need us most! Complete Fire, smoke, soot, water and mold remediation. Services - cleaning, deodorization and reconstruction. Immediate 24 hour emergency service response. (Dennis)

Cap and Trade - and Sink

 

 

Some irrefutable knowledge is intuitive, for example:

  • Taxes should not increase during a recession because they penalize the private sector, which needs its money to live, invest, expand and save jobs.
  • Taxes should decrease during a recession because the private sector benefits from a lighter tax burden and makes more probable new investment and expansion that leads to more jobs, and recovery.
  • Any government program that takes money from the private sector is a tax, no matter what lawmakers call it.  As such, however worthy the cause, during a recession it must be shelved for another day.
  • Bills that affect the nation dramatically should not be presented for passage until members have had a chance to read them (power politics), and should never be approved by any politician until read (constitutional oath).

The above statements are the equivalent of: Two plus two is four.  Those who refuse to accept the obvious because it is, for some reason, uncomfortable, have no legitimate seat at the table of serious debate.

The House of Representatives by a 219-212 vote just passed the Cap and Trade act -- 44 of Democrats (17%) and almost all Republicans (95%) voted against it.  Few, if any of them, knew the details of what they were voting for or against.

Democrats tout the bill as being a measure that will improve national security, protect the environment, create jobs and make America a net exporter of energy.  Its functional goal is to cut greenhouse gases 17 percent by 2020 and by 83 percent in 2050.  It mandates that 20 percent of electrical energy by 2020 must come from renewable sources and from conservation (presumably because of high prices etc.). 

These goals will be achieved by putting a price on carbon dioxide emissions from electric utilities, coal plants, manufacturers, farmers, refineries and others under something called a cap and trade system, the effect of which will send a flood of money to Washington and cause higher prices for everything in the market. 

The bill will cause hardships.  Accordingly it contains promises of financial assistance for transition costs to polluters and to consumers.  But off the record, some eye this cash flow as the never-ending source of support for more social programs.  When the two ideas clash the assistance to the private sector will predictably diminish. 

According to the president and his supporters, the cost to the consumer will be trivial.  Nobody else agrees.

Sit back.  Cross your legs and relax.  Let's think about this together, point by point.

o       This was presidential/leadership legislation forced on members as a loyalty test.  Most representatives didn't know what they voted for.    

o       Bills that cost a lot now, and promise benefits sometime, are not easy to swallow. 

o       "Polluters" today were the backbone of the U.S. energy system yesterday and will be for a time to come.  Somebody once said: "Never poke a stick at a bear."   That is good advice for those inclined to trash the private sector at every opportunity. 

o       The cap and trade system, according to the Financial Post, will bring to Washington by 2050 almost $500 billion a year in permit fees.  It may or may not create net new jobs; it may or may not improve energy independence.  But one thing is sure: It is a tax system that is being sold to the public under false colors.  As such, it should not be considered in 2009 -- it will lengthen the recession and hinder recovery.     

o       The promise not to raise taxes on lower income groups rings hollow when a bill is passed that removes money from the same class in the form of an increased cost of living.

o       The current recession has many causes.  The lack of a cap and trade system isn't one of them.  Let's fix the economy first -- tend to business -- take care of other things later.  What's the hurry?   

o       The urgency for cap and trade was originally based upon the noble objective to save the planet from the ravages of global warming, as outlined by Al Gore.  Notice: "global warming" isn't mentioned anymore.  The buzz words these days are "climate change" and "environmental concerns."  There is a reason for this.  Evidence mounts daily that mankind (fossil fuels/carbon monoxide/greenhouse gases) is not responsible for climate change, and that warming observed is cyclical and natural -- that Goreology is junk science..     

o       The whole functional purpose of cap and trade is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20l7, and practically eliminate them by 2050.  Why?  If cap and trade was triggered by Goreology, and if Goreology is, at least, doubted and, at worst, is a colossal error, why turn the American economy upside down to pursue its objectives? 

o       A clean environment, apart from Goreology, is a common American objective that can be gradually resolved in a less dramatic, and a more timely way than cap and trade.

o       A movement away from fossil fuels is a common American objective that can be gradually resolved within an energy program that uses all resources of the United States, plus government support that direct American energies toward such things as renewable forms of energy production, including nuclear.  

o       The cap and trade system has nothing to do with gasoline, except to increase the price of it.  Gasoline accounts for about half of U.S. oil imports.  Reliance upon them is the national security aspect of the immediate problem.  It should be more directly attacked as the primary short-term objective of any energy program.  It can be done, quicker and better than cap and trade, and at a lower cost.  In fairness, separate initiatives are aimed at this, but not with sufficient intensity.   

o       Fossil fuels will be with us for years to come.  The goal should be to maximize the use of those that can be locally produced in an environmentally reasonable (not perfect) manner.

There is no need for this legislation.  It does nothing that could not be done less intrusively.  Leadership in this area has been lacking for a half century.  It still is. 

There are, should be and always will be differences between Democrats and Republicans.    But this (and, by the way, health care) is a major national issue that should not be politicized.  There are common objectives:

o       To be energy independent.

o       To minimize pollutants for environmental (not global warming) reasons.   

Given that as a beginning point, wise heads from both sides of the aisle, guided by experts, properly motivated could come up with a palatable program that both sides could  live with.

The cap and trade bill would not see the light of day if Democrats were not in power with a near veto-proof majority, which they want to exploit before the elections of 2010.  It will pass in the Senate unless independents and some Democrats think more of their country than they do about passing the biggest tax bill since the income tax became law under Woodrow Wilson.

Read anything but liberal propaganda and you will find all the information you need to scream from the rooftops:"Stop this insanity." 

If approved as law, cap and trade will increase the cost of everything that moves, it will lessen America's international competitive position (China is building a new coal plant every four days), it will cost jobs as well as create them, it will decrease America's GDP (according to Heritage Foundation) and it will continue America's dependence on foreign oil for years to come, something that could be reduced overnight if we turned loose the  internal capacities of the nation (drilling/clean coal).     

The ball now moves to the Senate.  Burn your partisan hat.  Think American.  Make your voice heard.  Fight against this bill. 

Or sit back, and watch your kids pay the price.     

 

17 comments
Blog posts and comments are entirely the thoughts and ideas of the people who write them and in no way represent the views of CapeCodToday.com, eCape, Inc., or its employees or owners.

06/28/09 @ 12:58 pm
dingbat [Member] writes:
Right on, bro. This is a disaster in the making.

In Australia the have something called the "tall poppy syndrome", where any poppy that grows taller than the ones around it get chopped. Don't you dare presume to stand out from the pack!

This is all a poorly-disguised ploy to smack America down for its past prosperity. Imagine the impudence, that Americans could exceed the standard of living of so many throughout the world! Well, now we're going to pay, and I fear these plans will go ahead because of all the guilt-ridden lefties out there and the huge cheerleader corps in the media.

If Supreme Leader Obama has his way, in ten years America will be a third-world county.
06/28/09 @ 2:13 pm
Ned [Member] writes:
I paid 80 bucks for my partisan Harry Truman/LBJ fedora... I ordered it from Akubra in Australia~
http://www.capecodtoday.com/blogs/index.php/2008/12/26/fox-hunting-with-horace-in-harwich?blog=128
It's made of rabbits, which they have too many of!! WTF would I burn it for? Poppy Bush was taller than Dubya and both of those Men Without Lips are still Standing Firm. Kurt Vonnegut Jr. wrote an amusing satire about Republican fear of Tall Poppy Syndrome, way back at the end of the Eisenhower administration. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Bergeron
06/28/09 @ 11:21 pm
voiceofreason22 [Member] writes:
It's a scam, plain and simple.

Feeding off the good intentions of millions of americans who believe this legislation will save the environment.

There is no interest in protecting the environment, it's just lip service, so that the few priveleged elite can once again prosper on the backs of the tax paying middle americans.

06/28/09 @ 11:27 pm
voiceofreason22 [Member] writes:
Ned, I am truly curious, are you in favor of the Cap and trade legislation as presented and presently being voted on?

Tough to tell with that hilarious post about your fedora.
06/29/09 @ 12:13 pm
Ned [Member] writes:
New Rules state that Commenters are not to comment on other Commenter's comments. Commenters seeking to Voice their """opinions""" at length are advised to Get A Blog if they dare.
06/29/09 @ 1:22 pm
voiceofreason22 [Member] writes:
That "policy" sure makes it tough to debate these tough issues.

Not sure what the point of these blogs are, if you can't have a civil discussion about them.

Maybe I am misinterpreting the "policy" but I thought it was to prohibit antagonistic/abusive postings about commenters.
06/29/09 @ 4:03 pm
Peter Walker [Member] writes:
voiceofreason22, I think Ned's just having a little fun with you.
06/29/09 @ 4:25 pm
Robert [Member] writes:
I'm aware of no limitations on debate. "Voice of reason" should have no concern. His comments, pro or con, are constructive and should be continued. Ned is in no position to set standards and, I believe as Peter does, he's just making a clever remark for reasons of his own.

Until you hear from Walter Brooks on changes in format, fire away as usual. Air it out. Stick to points raised and hold your ground. Above all, remain engaged. These times demand an informed, active citizenry.
06/30/09 @ 8:55 am
Ned [Member] writes:
OK "Robert", I'll bite. Congratulations on your ninth Comment ever at CC2day! That might indicate that you missed more than a year of flaming threads from some pugnacious local alcoholics that worsened abuse-wise until Walter performed some surgery in April. What you are or are not "aware" of becomes doubly murky since we know nothing about you. That said, Ignorance Of The Rules is no excuse. Debate should be amongst bloggers... the pilot-fish are unimpressive in their internecine badinage. "Fire away?" "Hold your ground?" Spare us the military metaphor for the gaseous emissions of spare-tired veranda-sitters.
06/30/09 @ 10:33 am
possee [Member] writes:
Ah..the famous veranda!
As I sit here contemplating cap and trade and the fedora moderator castigating the commenters.
Robert..all those who don't agree with the status quo of the present regime are to be quiet,go back to the bottle, and refrain from commenting here.

I''ll take mine on the rocks..just as this country is..

possee
06/30/09 @ 1:46 pm
Ned [Member] writes:
You can lead a Commenter to the Veranda but you can't make him Drink. But since it's still a Free Country he usually does.
07/01/09 @ 6:03 am
possee [Member] writes:
Difference is,as a commenter, I've always been on the veranda..and around 5 pm ..adult beverages are enjoyed as the world turns.

The argument that we are losing our sovereignty,international placement in competition,independence on energy, and will be taxed to submission are all valid points but moot at this time in our history.
Were it not for cap and trade,( our illustrious senate,and house , have sold this country to international whims for the last 100 years) they would have invented another scam to tax us into the stoneage to prop up favorite corps, programs, and continue to afford the luxurious lifestyle they have appointed and annointed themselves to.
We are but a modern Roman Empire basking in the haze of a once imagined greatness as Rome slowly burns and, as in the past, the nobility continues in vapid diatribe and completely ignores its citizenry..allowing them to squabble amongst themselves in useless left vs right vs environment vs global warming vs abortion issues while their rights and freedoms are quickly evaporated leaving them dumbfounded.

possee
07/01/09 @ 6:06 am
possee [Member] writes:
.....and penniless
07/01/09 @ 9:59 am
Ned [Member] writes:
Possee sits next to Nero playing The World's Smallest Violin as they imbibe from leaden chalices. My dad raised me on MAD Magazine~ as a satirist, the opportunity to live under An Empire In Decline is the most FUN of all possible worlds! Our current embarrassments will make a GREAT Fellini movie two millennia hence. Don't mourn The City On The Hill... squat in it!
07/01/09 @ 1:19 pm
voiceofreason22 [Member] writes:
Once again, that 3 letter character here on CapeCodToday completely ignores the true issues...for that sake of a couple of jokes.

To me it doesn't matter whether the Left or the Right created the mess, it's the direction we are heading as a country.....it was created and is embraced by both parties.

The 2-party system is an illusion.

The ultimate goal for each is the same.

Posse, your post is dead on. I am tired of people pointing fingers at one particular party or the other.

IT DOESN'T MATTER.
07/01/09 @ 6:09 pm
possee [Member] writes:
When those who laugh at the current quagmire no longer can pay the rent, mortgage, utility bills and face possible homelessness, then, perhaps, outrage will be too late as it is close to that now..

Unless some commenters have a substantial gold reserve..hang on to your hats..

of course..government will then declare gold illegal as FDR did..
check the facts..

From: President of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt
To: The United States Congress
Dated: 5 April, 1933
Presidential Executive Order 6102
Forbidding the Hoarding of Gold Coin, Gold Bullion and Gold Certificates By virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 5(b) of the Act of October 6, 1917, as amended by Section 2 of the Act of March 9, 1933,


possee
07/01/09 @ 6:39 pm
maverick [Member] writes:
possee...your word is golden.

I can only assume the surgery didn't work.

Another gaseous emission from the Nedster.
Please visit these local CapeCodToday sponsors:
Rebecca Brown, Photographer
A full-service studio with the creative talent and training to create for you stunning, candid images of your family and children here on the Cape. The choice for Naturally Elegant Photography on Cape Cod. (Yarmouth)
Cape Cod Weathervane Company
Online shop for weathervanes, cupolas, finials, bird feeders, copper fire pits, and other quality copper accessories for the home and garden. We feature many beautiful nautical theme weathervanes that can be used as both interior & exterior decorations (Hyannis)
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR COMMENTORS & BLOGGERS: CapeCodToday now requires a one-time validation of your account email. When logging in or registering for the first time, you will be emailed a link to click that will validate your email and complete your login. The link in the email must be clicked in the same session when you are logged into the site for security purposes (i.e. retrieve the email right away and do not close your web browser).

This is a one-time-only process (or if you change the email on your account), and will help CCToday keep out the spammers. If you cannot validate your email because it is invalid, and you are a legitimate user, feel free to contact us and we will update your account to your current email.

Please Login or Register to leave a comment. There are 3,352 registered commenters!

CapeCodToday requires readers register an account with us in order to post comments. Become a trusted commenter and receive the benefits of posting instantly throughout the site. It's quick and easy!

Please note: If you are a CapeCodToday registered blogger, you can use your blogger login. Your login for the blogs is separate from your CapeCodToday main site login (if you have one).

Previous/Next posts in this blog

About This Blog

kellyRobert Kelly is a journalist, novelist and thinker who writes on issues which concern his conscience. His published non-fiction works include Baseball's Best, Baseball for the Hot Stove League, National Debt from FDR to Clinton and countless short stories. He can be emailed here.

Subscribe to Conservative's Conscience by Email

- site sponsors -


CCT Blog Tools

Login to comment or manage your blog:

Username: 

Password:     

Become a CapeCodToday Blogger!

Are you passionate about your community? Do you blog or at least harbor thoughts of doing so?

If so, CapeCodToday.com would like to host your blog on our CapeCodToday weblog publishing platform.

Blog Newsfeed

CapeCodToday uses standard web "newsfeeds" (RSS) to automatically update the latest blog entries in your browser or newsreader.

Use any of the links below in your newsreader or web browser to get "Conservative's Conscience" postings delivered to you, or use the RSS icon in your browser's address bar.

RSS 2.0 Atom 0.3