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Washington tries to raise your cost of living
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The “Waxman-Markey” bill, also known as “Cap and Trade” or the “American clean energy and security act,” passed the house Friday- with the help of eight Republicans- despite a bi-partisan effort to defeat it. As it moves to the Senate, many are wondering what happened to Washington’s pledge of transparency. The bill, just over 1,200 pages, was admittedly not read by a majority of congressmen who voted for it. Serious concerns were raised as the final votes from the house neared.
But the underreported story is that the cap and trade bill will dramatically increase the cost of virtually all goods. The bill introduces government bureaucracy into an overwhelming majority of private business, and all for the lofty goal of “going green.” A claim, I might add, that even environmental scientists suggest is debatable.
In January of 2008 Barack Obama made a clear and recently underreported comment about “Cap and Trade.” In January of last year he said, in no uncertain terms, that the proposed cap and tax would cause energy prices to skyrocket. He underscored the importance for Americans to adopt the plan despite the massive increase in fuel, home heating, and even groceries. (Should it be inspiring how willing he is to sacrifice our liberties for the common good?)
The irresponsibility of introducing – no pushing- such an increase on the cost of living during hard economic times is beyond comprehension. The Heritage Foundation in DC reported that by 2035 home heating prices will rise by 56 percent, gasoline by 58 percent, and electricity by as much as 90 percent. More than that, the bill is expected to destroy a large number of jobs ranging from the oil industry to the agricultural industry. Unemployment insurance is included in the bill; but only to help an estimated 1.5% of the effected job force.
When the new administration promised that 95% of American people would never see a tax increase, I guess he meant a direct tax increase. But also included in the bill is a plan to direct-deposit money into the bank accounts of people who don’t pay income taxes. (I thought this was an energy bill, not a welfare-redistribution bill.) But don’t get too excited if you’re in that tax bracket. The amount most likely will not cover the massive increase in fuel costs an average family of four will face. (For more information please visit WSJ.com)
So as our economy continues to limp along, and government continues to struggle with the basic concept of capitalism and freedom, do we really need what is projected to be the largest tax increase in American history proposed under the guise of regulating carbon dioxide? – By the way, isn’t CO2 vital to the planet? I digress. – A recent report from the Competitive Enterprise Institute has been held under wraps at the EPA as the debate over cap and trade has continued. The report illustrates the natural cycle of the earth, and reasonably contributes a majority of climate changes to nature. (A draft copy of the report was released independently by CEI.) This sparks only more criticism of the bills ambitions and claims.
Regardless of your concerns or beliefs on the subject of global warming, the question of how much government this bill imposes upon its citizenry is valid. At the very least, it would be a moving gesture to see an honest and open representation of what is within the bill. Contact your senators, and ask them to reject the massive tax on energy.
The Colorado Senators and their contact information can be found here.
Below is a clip from January 2008, in which Barack Obama explains the inflated costs of energy the average American will have to face:
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