It isn't so much global warming as political heat that's driving the hurried vote on the "cap and trade" emissions legislation now before Congress.
Democrats simply want to strike while the iron's hot.
In the process, they risk untold damage to the economy while rushing to "save" the environment. The truth is, nobody truly knows what effect the legislation will have on small businesses especially.
Meanwhile, you have to wonder if we're endangering our economy unilaterally: Big polluters such as China and India are taking no such self-limiting steps to reduce emissions.
We have no problem with wanting to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Our position on global warming is that the science isn't as settled as the left would have you believe -- but that reasonable steps to reduce pollution are a good idea regardless.
The question is whether the bill will be reasonable. There are questions as to whether Washington is trying to reduce emissions too much too quickly. And proposed caps on CO2 emissions are several times more stringent than similar caps in Europe.
Moreover, any damage we do to ourselves will be at the expense of an already battered economy.
We have long pined for a coherent energy policy. Despite fears over global warming, concerns over fuel cost spikes and that infamous electrical blackout in New York, President George W. Bush did next to nothing to provide leadership on the future of national energy policy.
But it seems we are trying to accelerate from 0 to 60 in seconds. We applaud the Obama administration for trying to create an energy policy -- but has it been debated enough in Congress or vetted enough publicly? How many people on the street are conversant in what cap and trade means, much less what it will do?
Essentially, what it means is that the government will decide how much CO2 a particular business can emit. If the business is over that limit, it can buy pollution credits from businesses that have excess to spare. Thus, the "trade" portion of cap and trade.
What it will do is beyond anyone's ability to predict. Some fear it will simply be a tax on consumers, who end up paying businesses' costs anyway. Some say it will drive even more businesses overseas.
And won't this put the federal government in the position of trading a new commodity -- pollution permits? Such trading has proved maddeningly volatile in Europe.
Nor has America fully explored the pitfalls of cap and trade that our friends in Europe have already fallen into. According to The Washington Post, an already green Netherlands company -- Kollo Holding -- has found it necessary in recent years to shut down part of the time to save money on utilities, which cost more under cap and trade, and even had to lay off workers. The company also has lost customers to Chinese imports that are unencumbered by cap-and-trade costs.
"Of all the effects of the new rules, the rise in the price of power has aroused the most outrage," the Post says.
That should be a huge red flag, especially in the Southeast U.S., where power has been plentiful and affordable.
Georgia Power, and its parent Southern Co., are on the cutting edge of research and development into cleaner fuels. Its Plant Mitchell near Albany is being converted from coal to 100 percent biomass. And the company is working closely with the Department of Energy to research and develop ways to capture CO2 and store it deep underground.
The thing is, these things take time. And unlike Washington politicians, scientists must be absolutely certain of what they're doing before they do it.
In this case, it's essential that Congress do the same.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The Democrats just increased the taxes on tabbacco forcing the closing of a manufacturing plant in Florida costing over 500 jobs (Hava Tampa). At the rate they are going by the end of Obama's term we will all be pressing each others pants and selling insurance. This bill is going to push businesses that are on the edge in these tougheconomic times over the edge. These jobs will be the "good" manufacturing jobs from plants that are heavy energy users. Please e mail your representatives about this today. The Democrats are pushing this bill for a house vote TODAY!! MIcheal Jackson's deat is much more important than cap and trade sop yo won't see much in the Obama propaganda net works of ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN. In order to keep there ratings FOX will follow around. So please email you representative!!
Screech,screech,screech
Reading this editorial is like trying to walk in knee deep mud. The "energy" bill being rushed through congress is as big a secret as the "stimulus" bill was. Not only are the public kept knowledge free, in regard to the bill content, the politicians voting on it know next to nothing of its content. We'll continue to buy foreign oil and ignore the billions of barrels within our boundaries. We'll place exorbitant taxes and penalties on manufacturing facilities for CO2 emissions.(forcing the companies to relocate) Will people be taxed for exhaling? The radical socialist EPA has had way too much influence on the writing of this bill and the insanity of it's concept. The crazy experiment has gotten way out of hand. Stop this Mad Marxist in 2010 and remove him in 2012. Save our country.
The liberals pushing the cap and trade bill have the same socialist fantasies that Gandhi possessed. Their goals are admirable, but as Gandhi seriously wanted everyone to return to a sandal wearing life in villages, supporting themselves with people powered spinning looms, liberals believe they can power factories with thin air. But unlike their cousin, Gandhi, they are not about to have workers powering anything.
Global warming MUST be addressed worldwide, and nuclear power MUST become THE major WORLD energy source. This means that all nations will have nuclear weapons, and we become a world of North Koreas unless we have an effective world government. The choice: Government by the UN or global warming? GIVE ME GLOBAL WARMING, WHATEVER THAT INVOLVES!! Much better New Ellenton on the Atlantic Ocean that a world UN Supreme Court, police force, prison system and IRS!!
Cap and Trade is a cool name for an energy tax. Eveeryone be ready for you bills to skyrocket.
AC, don't you know? According to that expert, former VP Al Gore, the US is the greatest evil in the world regarding pollution and global warming. He phoned that report in from his 10,000 square foot home in Nashville that uses over a $1000 dollars in electricity every month. He'll phone another report from his private jet while in route to a paid speech. Did I mention that he's made over $100 million dollars in such speeches since leaving office? Yeah, that's some symbol for the green crowd claiming that profits shouldn't outweigh Earth's needs.
kill the beast now....................
The trick to this is that first they will "tax" energy based on carbon emissions. And when and if the "green" power generation does come 15 years from now it will be so costly to implement that power rates will skyrocket again. In the meantime, any reasonable manufacturer will simply close it's operations here and contract to have their product made in China or India. That is the common sense thing for them to do and I hope this country is prepared to accept the increased, permanent unemployment. I also hope all of us are prepared to pay the increased costs of heating and cooling our homes and buying gas for our cars. I have never seen a nation so willing to stand up and commit financial suicide based on the lunatic ravings of eco-terrorists. I am sure there are some legitimate environmental concerns with carbon emissions but TAXES are not the solution. All taxes will simply be passed to consumers and will do little to change the habits of the power generation industry. WE will be changing our habits by being too hot or too cold and not able to afford to drive our cars.
If you want higher electric rates, $4.00 plus gas, and higher food cost just let this become law. Anyone who believes Al Gore is a climate expert will believe just about anything.
Independent analyst say Cap and Trade will cost the average household up to $3000 a year. The CBO says $175. Naturally Congress agrees with CBO. But when CBO says that Universal Healthcare will cost $1.6 trillion to cover 1/3 of the uninsured, Congress says CBO doesn't know what they are talking about. Sounds like the anti-tax folks like myself are not the only ones who pick the numbers that match their argument. Even if you assume that the real numbers for these proposals are somewhere in the middle of the extremes, the cost to the average consumer is HUGE and all of this is in addition to the additional debt we will be paying in inflation and interest on the borrowing we have done for the "stimulus" that didn't stimulate and the "bailout" that made a GM and Chrysler and gift to the Unions.
Amazingly, our president and the Democrats have begun trying to sell this as a "jobs bill."
The cap and trade bill is being pushed through for a vote today. pelosi and gang put up a 300+ page amendment to this horrible plan at 3AM this morning. They want them to sign this expansive tax increase without reading it. Who will dims be paying off with this tax and spend bill?
Wasn't the stimulus sold as a 'jobs bill' also? Where are all those jobs? Did that also mean jobs in foreign countries so our 'ruler' can become the WORLD ruler?
The heads of the dims must be spinning trying to keep up with all the GREAT stuff prezbho and clan are doing to our country. prezbho and crooked admin are passing their plans so fast that most people don't even realize what is happening to them. prezbho hopes most of the things will be out of sight and mind by the time there is another election. Most of the prezbho voters won't remember ALL these spending bills that have been passed and some won't take effect until after the next election.
Screech,screech,screech
Posted by Lobosolo on Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:17 AM....Let's see if your screech when your light/gas heating and gasoline bill "sky rocket" (BimbObama's own words). You lefties are always screeching about the "poor" but now don't want us to screech about rising costs that the poor certainly can't afford to heat their houses or afford A/C in summer.
now there is 600 additional pages since last night. we are being robbed of everything. we all need to go on strike. those of us that pay taxes do............
Ask the liberals to explain how cap and trade will not cause energy costs to skyrocket, which will affect the poor even more, and all you get is silence.
Some things are worth paying for. God Bless our Earth.
shiv... Please enlighten us with those 'things' that are worth paying for.
Why is it that dims will argue, complain and whine when a conservative says something they disagree with and when you ask them to explain the GREAT things that prezbho is doing - they can't? Doesn't sound like they're too sure of those GREAT things, themselves.
If you don't like Cap & Trade better write Saxby the Socialist, he has put a bunch of goodies in it for the Ethanol rip off & is going to vote for it. Remember Saxby's son Bo is a lobbyist for thr Ethanol trade. Saxby, a vote that can be bought.
I guess it's time to ask.......can ANYONE explain anything that Obama has done that has helped the country. Let's not try to fall on the old reliable "at least he's not Bush" explanation that is usually used...give is actual things that OBAMA has done to better the country. After you tell us what he's done...explain how it has helped the country................good luck.
Ga Values.....please tell me that you aren't trying to rationalize all the horrible policies that the president is trying to institute by pointing out that Chambliss isn't doing a good job and that he's a republican? You can't rationalize bad behavior by pointing out other's bad behavior. Please tell me I'm wrong.
HR 45 Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sales Act of 2009.
This is Obama gun control by secrecy.
Very Important for you to be aware of a new bill HR 45 introduced into the House.
This is the Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sale Act of 2009.&nb sp;
To find out about this - go to any government website and type in HR 45 or Google HR 45 Blair Holt Firearm Licensing & Record of Sales Act of 2009. You will get all the information.
Basically this "little" piece of legislation would make it illegal to own a firearm - any rifle with a clip or ANY pistol unless:
.It is registered
.You are fingerprinted
.You supply a current Driver's License
.You supply your Social Security #
.You will submit to a physical & mental evaluation at any time of their choosing
.Each update - change or ownership through private or public sale must be reported and costs $25
- Failure to do so you automatically lose the right to own a firearm and are subject up to a year in jail.................. Your president, walking on your constitutional rights..........as he promised.
Yep I just wrote Saxby with my views on Cap and Trade my views on Ethanol (a poor performing fuel with poor shelf life which damages engine components and which drives up the price of food). I also expressed my wish that he would join his former colleague and come out of the closet as another TAX TAX TAX crooked Democrat. I think I also mention that it was pretty crappy that he was adding amendments in favor of ethanol and his son just happens to be an ethanol lobbyist. I despise liberal Democrats and I am sick of right wing so called religious Republicans. Can we get a viable third party somewhere that isn't full of kooks and lunatics that can read a Constitution?
Good article on Drudge report about skeptics to anthropomorphic global warming. Ther are now over 700 scientists, including nobel prize winners, first female with a PHD in meterology that don't beleive in antropomorphic global warming. The Democrats are going to Tax the H*ll out of America and ham sting our ability to produce energy independance and destroy jobs for money and power. ... Oh well Obama is president all is well, Obama is president all is well...
The mulatto muslim messiah needs this legislation to push forward his dream of socialism/marxism whereby he will be the ruler. Stop this arrogant, power-hungry Dahli-Bama now by influencing the powers that be to vote no now, vote out Pelosi, Reid, etc. in 2010, and royal flush the Obama's and first mammy-in-law out of the White House in 2012!!!
CONVERTED, did you ever get an answer from SHIVAS? No? What a surprise.
God help us.
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/06/26/cap-and-trade-vote-today-complete-...