Well, despite our best efforts, the U.S. House passed The American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), also known as Cap and Trade or Cap and Tax. Some believe (as I do) that this will be the largest tax increase in history. Even though it seems like the passage of this bill seems like really bad news, there appears to be reason to not worry just yet.
First, it was a close vote, 219-212. Actually, that's not really a great thing, because it if it passes, it passes, there is no in-between. But a positive aspect of this vote was the 44 Democrats that joined the Republicans in voting against this bill. On the other hand, 8 Republicans defected and joined the Majority in voting for this bill. What this tells me is that this bill did not get simply pushed through the House. Enough Congressmen voiced the disapproval of this bill in the face of the President's claims.
Second, there's talk among conservatives that while this is good for Democrats now, it will be better for Republicans later, especially in 2010. More and more, the general public is starting to come around and voice a disapproval of the job their Congress is doing. The more Democrats get what they want, it will be easier for the Republicans to regain control of the House and the Senate as it becomes more and more apparent that a Democrat-controlled Congress is hurting this country and not helping it.
There were many Democrat Representatives that were content to not vote on Friday. It's not any secret, though, that these Representatives were under a lot of pressure from President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pass this bill. Several Representatives reluctantly voted for this bill when they would have preferred to abstain or maybe even vote against this bill. This has led to some speculation that these Congressmen might have consequently, "walked the plank" for nothing. Some, if not most Republicans feel that this bill will be dead on arrival when it reaches the Senate floor. As most Americans realize that this bill is nothing more than a huge tax increase, they'll look to replace those in Congress that supported.
Even though the Senate may now be filibuster-proof with the confirmed election of Al Franken as the Senator from Minnesota, we can still have a say in what happens. I urge everyone to contact their Senators and express your disapproval of this destructive energy tax.
Anyway, don't mind me, I'm just rumbling.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Capping and Taxing our Economy to Death
That's what I call it. I've also heard it called "Cap and Tax" or my favorite, "Crap and Tax." Whatever you call it, officially it's the Cap and Trade part of the American Clean Air and Security Act (H.R. 2454), authored by House Democrats Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA). As you know, this legislation was passed in the House yesterday, by a vote of 219-212. (If you don't know, then please stop reading this because you must not care.)
If this bill gets signed into law, it will be one of the largest taxes on the production of energy ever. This legislation seeks to cap fossil-fuel emissions and add a tax on them. To emit a ton of CO2, producers will need to purchase an allowance or credit. Now, these allowances can be sold by companies that produce smaller amounts of CO2 and subsequently purchased by companies that produce more. (Hence the term "trade.) Despite the terms "allowance" and "credit," it still amounts to a fee to produce energy.
Because of this fee, or tax, it will cost utility companies more to produce energy. These costs will be passed on to the consumer, naturally. By 2035, electricity prices will increase by 90%, raising an average family's energy bill by $1,241. And that's just the direct cost. Because energy costs will be higher, consequently, production costs will be higher. By adding this to the higher energy bill, the total cost for the consumer will be $4,600 (once again, by 2035).
Another result of the increased energy and production costs is severe unemployment. That's what happens when it costs more for companies to make stuff. To cut costs, companies will have to cut jobs to keep up. How bad? Over 2 million during peak years. (And that's after all the green jobs the bill's proponents promise.) Jobs will either be lost outright, or moved overseas as certain companies realize they cannot survive in the U.S.
Some other effects (by 2035):
All this to lower the climate by hundredths of a degree by 2050. Doesn't seem worth it, does it? Now I know that all this economic pain is still 26 years out. But think of it this way: if you've just had a child, he will be knee-deep in this mess right around the time he gets married and buys a house. Not a way to start your adult life, is it?
By the way, I know I'm a genius but I didn't come up with all this myself. I encourage everyone to go to the Heritage Foundation's analysis of this bill. You will also find articles on other important issues and topics, as well.
I hope that I have opened your eyes to this destructive legislation. If you still support it, well then, I guess no one can help you.
Anyway, don't mind me, I'm just rambling.
If this bill gets signed into law, it will be one of the largest taxes on the production of energy ever. This legislation seeks to cap fossil-fuel emissions and add a tax on them. To emit a ton of CO2, producers will need to purchase an allowance or credit. Now, these allowances can be sold by companies that produce smaller amounts of CO2 and subsequently purchased by companies that produce more. (Hence the term "trade.) Despite the terms "allowance" and "credit," it still amounts to a fee to produce energy.
Because of this fee, or tax, it will cost utility companies more to produce energy. These costs will be passed on to the consumer, naturally. By 2035, electricity prices will increase by 90%, raising an average family's energy bill by $1,241. And that's just the direct cost. Because energy costs will be higher, consequently, production costs will be higher. By adding this to the higher energy bill, the total cost for the consumer will be $4,600 (once again, by 2035).
Another result of the increased energy and production costs is severe unemployment. That's what happens when it costs more for companies to make stuff. To cut costs, companies will have to cut jobs to keep up. How bad? Over 2 million during peak years. (And that's after all the green jobs the bill's proponents promise.) Jobs will either be lost outright, or moved overseas as certain companies realize they cannot survive in the U.S.
Some other effects (by 2035):
- Reduced aggregate gross domestic product by $9.4 trillion (that's really scary!)
- Increased gasoline prices by 58%
- Increased natural gas prices by 55%, and
- Increased national debt per person of $28,728
All this to lower the climate by hundredths of a degree by 2050. Doesn't seem worth it, does it? Now I know that all this economic pain is still 26 years out. But think of it this way: if you've just had a child, he will be knee-deep in this mess right around the time he gets married and buys a house. Not a way to start your adult life, is it?
By the way, I know I'm a genius but I didn't come up with all this myself. I encourage everyone to go to the Heritage Foundation's analysis of this bill. You will also find articles on other important issues and topics, as well.
I hope that I have opened your eyes to this destructive legislation. If you still support it, well then, I guess no one can help you.
Anyway, don't mind me, I'm just rambling.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Let the ramblings begin.
I never had any intentions for this blog to become a political forum, but I can't help it. I cannot stay silent any more. I read in the news and I see on TV where our current administration is leading our country, and it scares me. We are moving closer and closer to socialism and no one seems to notice. Has Obama sweet-talked the American people so much that they are blinded to what he really wants to do? Has his fancy rhetoric that comes to him via teleprompter brainwashed us all?
Obama has increased spending, increased the deficit, increased the national debt (yes, liberals, you can no longer blame Bush). He claimed that his stimulus bill was needed to avoid unemployment reaching 8%. Well guess what genius, it's now over 9%!
And of course now Obama wants to push us towards socialized health care. That's another trillion dollars over the next decade. (And that only covers a third of uninsured Americans in this country!) I wish that was the only problem with this legislation, but it would also destroy private health care as we know it. Private health care cannot compete with a public option when the government is creating the rules of competition. I know there are problems with health care costs, but allowing the government to take care of it isn't the solution. I urge everyone to contact their congressmen to prevent this from becoming law.
I would like to say more but it's after midnight, and I'm tired. Also, Texas lost to LSU in the College World Series so I'm a little bummed. But don't worry, as long as the crap in Washington continues, I'll have much more to say.
Anyway, don't mind me, I'm just rambling.
Obama has increased spending, increased the deficit, increased the national debt (yes, liberals, you can no longer blame Bush). He claimed that his stimulus bill was needed to avoid unemployment reaching 8%. Well guess what genius, it's now over 9%!
And of course now Obama wants to push us towards socialized health care. That's another trillion dollars over the next decade. (And that only covers a third of uninsured Americans in this country!) I wish that was the only problem with this legislation, but it would also destroy private health care as we know it. Private health care cannot compete with a public option when the government is creating the rules of competition. I know there are problems with health care costs, but allowing the government to take care of it isn't the solution. I urge everyone to contact their congressmen to prevent this from becoming law.
I would like to say more but it's after midnight, and I'm tired. Also, Texas lost to LSU in the College World Series so I'm a little bummed. But don't worry, as long as the crap in Washington continues, I'll have much more to say.
Anyway, don't mind me, I'm just rambling.
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