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Cap And Trade = Cap And Tax |
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Conservative Compass Blog
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Written by Bob Sordahl
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Friday, 26 June 2009 |
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Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed HR 2454, the American Clean Energy And Security Act of 2009, also known as the Waxman-Markey Climate Change Bill (Cap and Tax) by a narrow margin of 219 to 212. Forty four Democrats were able to see through the smoke and mirrors to join the 168 Republicans voting against. Most Americans aren't even aware this occurred, since the mainstream media all but ignored it, broadcasting instead decoy pieces on healthcare, unrest in Iran and Kim Jong Il's insane and inane threats. It is truly unfortunate that this bill was rushed through with little public attention because it is certainly the most important legislation this Congress will pass and perhaps the most devastating in 80 years.
What is with this Congress that feels it must pass bills in the dead of night? An amendment of over 300 pages was introduced at 3:00am with full knowledge that no one would have time to read or evaluate its contents before calling for a vote. The added benefit of this screwy timing was to preclude American citizens from seeing or understanding the sweeping consequences of this ill-conceived package of laws, regulations and snake oil.
This Bill amounts to an energy tax on the American people. President Obama admitted it would increase energy bills substantially. That is going to be a pain for the taxpayers of this Country, but not the worst of it. What is really troubling is that also means increasing the cost of doing business to every company in America. Any business that uses energy from frying corn chips to delivering your new mattress will feel the impact of this cap and tax legislation.
Increased costs equals increased prices. I've said many times before that no business ever absorbs increased costs. They are always passed on to the consumer. This legislation will impose the largest undeclared national tax in the history of this Country, and it will hit low income people very hard. Businesses make decisions based on the bottom line. If increased costs of energy and new regulation make it less profitable to do business in America, many will simply move offshore, taking tens or hundreds of thousands of jobs with them. With unemployment sneaking up on 10% and the reality of companies bailing out of this Country, how can the Dems describe this Bill as jobs legislation?
Much of the Dem's argument for passage was based on the tired "man made global warming" myth. Even when confronted with documented worldwide disagreement, Representative Steny Hoyer and friends persisted in using the word "consensus" as if it had the power to trump the truth. No one, anywhere can tell you how many degrees this or any other legislation will alter earth's climate in 20 or 50 years. With all the technological power the weather bureau has available, they still can't accurately predict next week's temperatures. How can these politicians presume to do so 20 years out? Even the IPCC has backed away from their assertions of high tide Armageddon. The bottom line is this: Whatever rational justifications anyone might conjure up to vote for this Bill, the threat of man made global warming is not one of them.
Once again, this administration and government want to pick winners and losers by giving carbon offset credits to certain companies while making other businesses buy them. Who will decide that apportionment? Additionally, carbon credits don't do anything to stop pollution. Companies will simply pay for the privilege of emitting "greenhouse gases", and those trading credits will become obscenely wealthy. In fact, all members of Congress should have to disclose any ties to carbon offset traders or brokers. Unfortunately once again to understand how DC works, you've got to follow the money.
I didn't write about this sooner because I figured passage by the House was pretty much a given. Now we have to work on the Senate. Fax, call and e-mail your Senators to tell them this Bill must not pass. It will do irreparable harm to our economy, our employment rate and our ability to compete in the world wide market place. It will put America at a distinct disadvantage at a time when we need all the help we can get. America can't afford this latest foray into too much too soon and the American people have got to let them know it loud and clear.
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