Blog Archives
Heat Waves=No Air Conditioning
Could you imagine having another 100 degree plus day and being without air conditioning? If you answered “no way, touch my air conditioner, and you’ll die,” then you might disagree with the author of a recent Washington Post editorial who suggests that we should stop using air conditioning units due to the excessive amount of greenhouse gases they emit into the environment. Evidently, the author has not had to encounter the oppressive heat in Washington, D.C., and obviously, he has visited European countries prior to his op-ed, where many do not use air conditioning.
While I understand that there was a time when people suffered through oppressive heat without air conditioning, it just does not work in the urban areas of the country today. There are many in this country, who rely on air conditioning for medical reasons, and without it, there would be grave consequences (death) and contributing to population control in America.
Additionally, the author of this op-ed claims that without air conditioning, it could promote a more flexible, more relaxed work atmosphere. Again, this would not fly in D.C., as the work environment is too rigid due to the professional culture. While Congress has abbreviated sessions, the professional culture would not ease, thus meaning the dress code would still remain in tact.
I guess this should be summed up at best by saying: “No air conditioning = misery = less productivity = more population control.”
Blog Action Day 2009: The Public Dissent on Energy Taxes
This is the second post to share the truth about how cap and trade tax policy will not help to solve the energy crisis. Perhaps, we should ask people to share their views on how they feel about Congress passing climate change legislation to increase taxes.
Blog Action Day 2009: The Truth about Climate Change
Today is Blog Action Day, and this is supposed to be focused on climate change. Of course, many will be writing about how great the climate change legislation Congress is debating and how it is needed to save Mother Earth. Now, I am concerned about conservation by doing this is in a manner that does not place further regulations on businesses, people, or place heavy economic burdens on working Americans. However, I do not support legislation that will place an economic detriment on our country.
Currently, there are two bills being debated in Congress that will place more regulations on the energy industry and put millions of jobs on the chopping block. In the past, I have focused on both the Waxman-Markey bill (which was passed by the House on June 26th) and the Kerry-Boxer bill (Senate) and how it will increase the costs of fuel, along with raising the regulations that will be enacted on the coal industry, etc.
Today, I just want to focus on the costs that will be passed on to the consumer under the climate change legislation. Aside from rising fuel costs and the loss of employment, this legislation will not limit greenhouse gas emissions. It will also discourage the use of clean burning natural gas and benefit foreign oil producers by barring the U.S. from receiving domestic protections.
With all of the negatives, it would be worth the time for Congress to look over this carefully and utilize our natural resources without placing further regulations and taxes on energy, businesses, and the average family.
Cap and Trade Creigh!
How about a flashback to the primary elections? Creigh Deeds publicly said he is in favor of cap and trade. In fact, Deeds served on the Governor’s Climate Change Commission that recommended a policy that would have been stricter than the policy Congress is considering. Do we need a Governor who supports a policy that would drive more businesses out of the Commonwealth, suppress the coal industry, and enforce stricter energy regulations? No.
The Next Step in Climate Change Legislation
On Wednesday, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) have introduced their version of climate change legislation, which will follow the House’s version of Waxman-Markey. Energy Tomorrow has a great assessment of the proposed legislation and the implications that this legislation will have on the oil industry and American businesses.
Like Waxman-Markey, the Boxer-Kerry climate change legislation will cause fuel prices to soar up to the $4-$5/per gallon range, and it will cause the same amount of job losses.
Perhaps, the Senate should take the high road and not try to follow the House’s lead with Waxman-Markey. The right alternative would be to draft legislation that does not place harm on our fragile economy, acknowledges and proposes ways to utilize clean natural gas, etc.
Government Spending and Global Warming Research
Will the federal government consider its own research on global warming as it prepares to spend more taxpayer funded research dollars? The answer seems like an obvious no, but it would be a good thing for the US Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to consider the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent study on ocean research, especially since the EPA suppressed that particular study.
Last Friday, the Competitive Enterprise Institute filed a public comment requesting that OSTP consider the EPA study (which was suppressed by the EPA). Why should the EPA consider any additional data on climate change before making more policies on the same issue? You would think this would be obvious, but I guess we will have to wait on OSTP’s decision.
You can read more into the comments filed by CEI to OSTP, and read the report that the EPA suppressed.
Scenes from the Cap and Trade/Healthcare Demonstration
Last Friday, 200 people gathered in front of Senator Jim Webb’s office in downtown Richmond to protest the pending Health Care bill and the Waxman-Markey (Cap and Trade) legislation. Here is a video that shows the dissent against these bills. Hopefully, Senator Webb and Senator Warner will realize the disastrous consequences of passing the Cap and Trade legislation, as well as the health care bill.
The Side Effects of Cap and Trade in Virginia
When the Waxman-Markey bill (otherwise known as Cap and Trade) was passed in the House, there was no doubt that this legislation was going to raise taxes on both the consumers and producers of petroleum based fuels. This will hurt many Virginians as they have to pay higher prices at the pump, when they decide to fly somewhere on vacation, and to heat their homes in the winter. Cap and Trade will have a negative impact on our economy, as people will have to make choices to pay for gas in their cars, instead of spending money at retailers for other goods and commodities.
The American Petroleum Institute released a report on the ways Virginians will be impacted by the Waxman-Markey bill.
Waxman-Markey Bill: Virginia State Fact Sheet http://d.scribd.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=17418259&access_key=key-29v5zdq9p6kqmya8v2id&page=1&version=1&viewMode=list
Some of the most interesting highlights from the actual fact sheet were that Virginia would have less wealth due to the after effects of this plan. Virginia would lose as much as $263 billion in the state’s Gross State Product (GSP). Another fact that could be detrimental to Virginians and the Commonwealth’s economy is the loss of jobs that will occur from the Cap and Trade legislation. Virginia stands to lose 54,000 jobs over the course of a couple years adding to the already high unemployment rates.
As you can see cap and trade will kill the economy, cause unemployment rates to skyrocket, and cause higher prices at the pump, which will lead to higher food prices, etc.
Cap and Trade Passes the House
The Waxman-Markey Amendment (H.R. 2454) passed the House today, 219-212. This bill is headed to the Senate, where many do not expect this bill to pass. Here’s what needs to be done to prevent this bill, which will raise taxes on working Americans and more harm on the economy. Call your Senator and urge him to strongly oppose Cap and Trade. You can contact your Senators by calling 202-224-3121 or visit the Senate website to find your Senator’s website.
Additionally, there were eight Republicans who voted for this bill this afternoon. According to the Washington Examiner, here are the eight cap and tax cheerleaders: Reps. Mary Bono Mack (CA), Mike Castle (DE), Steven Kirk (IL), John McHugh (NY), Leonard Lance (NJ), Frank LoBiondo (NJ), Dave Reichert (WA), and Chris Smith (NJ). Hopefully, you will call the number above, as it is the central switchboard, and call to voice your strong disapproval of their votes. Since they identify their party affiliation as a Republican, then they should advocate on behalf of the free markets by fighting against this bill. You can see who voted for the bill here.
Aside from this, there were some Freshmen Democrats, who should consult with former Rep. Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky. After all, she promised in 1993 not to vote for the Clinton Energy tax, only to turn around and vote for it. She quickly became a one-term Congresswoman. In Virginia, both Gerry Connolly and Tom Perriello should anticipate strong challenges in 2010. The residents of the 5th and 11th Districts did not elect their leaders to raise taxes, rather to work on their behalf to lower the tax burden.
Did Mr. Cap and Trade know what was in his bill?
Mr. Cap and Trade 2009, Rep. Henry Waxman, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee should know what’s in his proposed $646 billion national energy tax bill, right? As you can see in the video below, Waxman openly admits that he doesn’t know what’s included in his bill and that he relies on the United Nations to help discriminate against domestic manufacturers and energy producers. Geez, with noble morons (like Pelosi and Waxman) leading the Democrats in Congress, we are starting to look towards restoring common sense in 2010.
