For those of you that missed it on CSPAN1 today, watch this and get an understanding of what just happened.
My own representative, Wally Herger had a few things to say also:
It is the most fired up I’ve ever seen him. In an email a couple of days ago to his chief of staff at our local office, I had described his floor speeches as being like a “churchmouse”.
I think he got the message.
UPDATE:
For those that want to read it, here is the bill and amendment. Warning: BIG FILES, long downloads.
Text of original bill:
http://www.eenews.net/public/25/11457/features/documents/2009/06/23/document_daily_03.pdf
Amendment Text:
http://www.rules.house.gov/111/SpecialRules/hr2998/waxman1_hr2998_111.pdf
RIP USA.
I called into a local radio show today & commended Boehner for what he did. This was nothing short of brilliant.
Maybe they’re finally growing a spine.
It’s simply amazing to see the economic outlines of a socialist revolution being imposed in this bill.
Ha I clicked on the “offset your carbon emissions” ad below the video on the main page 30 times. Enjoy your stimulus, Anthony. I would propose that every reader should make a practice of clicking on the links in paid ads here that go to AGW alarmist websites. Lets show them just how expensive this bill is going to get for them.
Well Said John.
Just as bad, there wasn’t a word about this on the abc/cbs/nbc/ state run media network news tonight. It was all about some entertainer that died. This is probably one of the most important pieces of legislation in my lifetime. Not only do the congress not know what they had stuffed down their throats, the public didn’t even know that there was a vote.
I see an ad for Geoff Davis for Congress on here, that my guy here in Ky and he voted against the madness. Thanks Geoff! Bunning and MCconnell will never vote for it in the Senate either!
The Democrats have learned well from Trotsky……
Such a sad event in the history of this country ? I worked the phones and the emails last night and today and I must say that I’ve never really understood what prostitutes these representatives are when the sell-out their constituents. They had their agenda and their talking points and their automatic replies set on cruise control. If you listened to their speeches on C-SPAN if was enough to make one sick – they know what’s best for us, they know the facts, “the science is in and the debate is over”.
A turning point for common sense…
Like I’ve said before, “the fix is in”.
I am an Englishman living in Canada, so I am not being partisan in saying: “What a piece of BS … to add 300 pages of changes, at night, to a bill that is being voted on only 12 hours later.”
I smell an odour.
mkurbo,
Good that you did the political thing. Don’t let this bad experience turn you off. You have gained an education. Now, put it to use!!!
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, One only hopes that enormous tax and price increases, and increases in poverty, wellfare payments and unemployment doesn’t kill the US of A.
When the bitter cold arrives, let’s see them run for the fireplace! I see not sun spots on the sun today.
Boehner makes me proud to be an Ohioan, today.
Wish that would allay the fear in the pit of my stomach.
How can this great nation be hobbling itself in this manner?
This is what I call “DIRTY POLITICS”.
Keep cornering EPA with CARBONGATE, start expressing your opinions to every single Senator to defeat this Climate Bill and see to it that all those politicians that voted with a Yeah, GET OUT OF A JOB ASAP.
Liberate your country from these political thugs that harm your freedom, your existence, your family and your future.
Currently skimming parts of the bill as posted on Thomas.gov.
Section 701 reads:
`(a) Findings- The Congress finds as follows:
`(1) Global warming poses a significant threat to the national security, economy, public health and welfare, and environment of the United States, as well as of other nations.
`(2) Reviews of scientific studies……….demonstrate that global warming is the result of the combined anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions from numerous sources
(3) Because they induce global warming, greenhouse gas emissions cause or contribute to injuries to persons in the United States, including–
`(A) adverse health effects such as disease and loss of life;
`(B) displacement of human populations;
(C) damage to property and other interests related to ocean levels, acidification, and ice changes;
`(D) severe weather and seasonal changes;
`(E) disruption, costs, and losses to business, trade, employment, farms, subsistence, aesthetic enjoyment of the environment, recreation, culture, and tourism;
(F) damage to plants, forests, lands, and waters;
`(G) harm to wildlife and habitat;
`(H) scarcity of water and the decreased abundance of other natural resources;
`(I) worsening of tropospheric air pollution;
`(J) substantial threats of similar damage; and
`(K) other harm.
I used to not like Boehner, but after what I saw today, he’s got my vote from now on. I had written him a couple of times, and didn’t really care for the condescending attitude he used in the reply, but all is forgiven.
P.S., I am sure the margin would have been wider if Boehner hadn’t taken the time to go through it on the floor.
Bad science followed by worse politics with a wealthy few gaining power.
the rep who voted yes: you are “a useful idiot” in the big picture.
If you don’t know where the quote come from google it.
sad time in planet Earth, anyone for a one way ticket to Mars?
Come on folks… this sucked, but keep the faith. The good guys put up a pretty good fight in the last hour (against all odds).
It’s time for us to hit up the Senators with the facts of this farce. I already informed my senators of my feelings (in CA… not going to help much)… and I hit-up Arizona too (matriculated, lived and worked there for years). Just tell them what you think. Even if they are leaning way left, if you don’t tell them then you are tacitly endorsing their point of view. We have to continue our involvement/participation.
YOU might have seen a defeat today, but I saw a narrowly missed victory (including eight congressman who really need to do some introspection, and 38 or so who really deserve some heart felt thanks for doing what I think was the right thing).
Next time we’ll get it right! Buck up!
While the time used to mock the 300+ pages that were added at 3am, I’m sure Pelosi used the time gained to twist more arms; if she knew she had the votes you can bet the vote would have happened much sooner. Still, it offered a moment of insight into the silliness known as Congress.
Meanwhile, the only thing passing for news today on the popular media are stories about the sad deaths of a couple of entertainers, while the horror in the House is never mentioned.
Panem et circenses
In Canada several years ago, we had an ignorant Prime Minister named Jean Chretien who rammed the Kyoto Prototol through Parliament “because he had a hunch it was the right thing to do”. He had no clue what Kyoto meant, or what it would cost.
The only reason Kyoto has not cost us much more is that we have largely ignored it, and are certainly not in compliance.
Now you Americans are considering a bill that nobody understands either.
The risk you Americans face is that you have now driven down the same path as Canada, but you tend to enforce your laws.
If Waxman-Markey passes the Senate, my dear Americans, you are so screwed.
Best sell everything and move to Mexico.
A whole nation being couped by the Commies…….
Cathy (18:51:04) :
Boehner makes me proud to be an Ohioan, today.
Boehner makes me proud to be an American today. And thanks Ohio!
@ Robert Wood (18:27:27)
Yes, releasing a 300+ page amendment only hours before debate and voting is crazy and undemocratic. Sadly, these kinds of shenanigans have become commonplace in the House over the past few years. The did the exact same thing with the “stimulus” bill earlier this year. Not one congressman knew everything that was in the bill when they voted due to the timing.
All the “climate change” talking points leading to this “Climate Bill” are simply camouflage for a flattening of economic well being – generally, those with more will end up with less and those currently with less will end up with a tiny bit more, maybe. This can be accomplished only by sucking vitality out of society and developing a larger and more intrusive government. Everyone will be less free – liberty as viewed by the folks who wrote the constitution is in decline.
How will this affect climate – not at all. That is not the purpose. And likely could not even if that were the purpose and it was designed as an attempt to do so.
It next must go to the Senate with fate unknown.
I called it.
–t
Even Fox News continues to give non-stop coverage to the Michael Jackson death, with barely a mention of the cap and trade bill. An exception was Glen Beck, whose show preceded the vote. If even Fox News priorities are so screwed up, what chance is there of getting any reasonable media coverage.
Potentially the most disastrous bill in our country’s history passes, totally unread by the public and probably 90% of the congressmen who voted for it. Why do I think our future is bleak.
Not really. It can leave you weak and unable to fight. If it removes your arms and legs, then you become a kickball for those who don’t give a damn about you.
A 1.6 trillion tax increase vote on a bill that no one can read – or has read! – sent before congress at 3:09 AM with liberal bribes and selective taxes district-by-district manipulating our economy for the next fifty years,
Added to a proposed medical reform method that will cost an additional 1.6 trillion dollars to fix a problem that doesn’t exist while destroying a system that does work,
Added to a 730 billion union and welfare bailout for problems caused by the unions and politicians in industries destroyed by the unions and politicians,
added to a Medicare and Medical system already going bankrupt,
added to a social security system shortly bankrupt,
all paid for “taxing the rich” to the extent past all that the “rich” could possibly earn in twelve lifetimes …
But Obama’s ABCNNBCBS offer eulogies and praise for a has-been homohexasexual child-molester who plays plastic surgeon to the gods.
Truly, the new age of bread and circus is upon us.
Anthony,
Back on the science questions, have you seen Michael Hammer’s US”HC”N corrections graph at Jennifer Marohassy’s site? Applied corrections seem to match claimed warming signal quite well.
REPLY: yes I’d planned to post it…today was just a bit off track due to current events – Anthony
My question is that should this pass the Senate, where do we put (what remains of ) our savings before the economy collapses? Precious metals? Oil?
Before you thank Ohio, let me tell you about Betty Sutton, my Rep. in NE Ohio – we’re so flush with jobs, we don’t have to worry about massive taxes on energy [sarcasm]. I called to say that, although I had read that she was in favor of cap and tax [she had been so described on at least 2 political blogs I read, and was never mentioned as wavering from being a loyal “D”], I opposed it as it is a job killer and based on bad science. The young man who took the call challenged me rather aggressively, asking where I had heard that she had made up her mind. I replied that I had read at least two reports stating such. He stated that she definitely had not made up her mind.
Of course, she voted for it. I’m sure that after poring over the 300 pages of amendments between my call and the roll call, she was convinced that voting for the bill would best serve her constituents. I’m also convinced that the return on my investment with Bernie Madoff is in the mail.
Perhaps voting for passage was the smart thing to do…… politically. They vote yes, understanding that passage in the Senate may be iffy…… then the bill doesn’t pass and they still stay in the good graces of the party…… I dunno…. sometimes the two party system really sucks.
Allan M R MacRae (19:14:03) :
If Waxman-Markey passes the Senate, my dear Americans, you are so screwed.
Best sell everything and move to Mexico.
Speculating a bit, if the Senate rejects the initiative, the Supreme Court will get into the conflict like a third in discord and the final result will favor the bill.
In 2000, we had a controversy on the implementation of the daylight saving time in Mexico; it was the President and the citizens against the congress. I think the President was cheating, but we conceded him the benefit of doubt and we trusted him. However, the Supreme Court got into the disagreement as a third party in discord and the legislators imposed the implementation of the daylight saving time.
Of course, Mexico is not the US, but the current president started his “fight against climate change” -without sounded it out to the congress, the senate, the citizens or the Supreme Court- three days before the US Congress passed the bill.
I hope to be wrong on my suspicions but from what I have learned here in WUWT, it seems the vote is mere etiquette.
So, Mexico is not a good option, but Welcome!!! 🙂
Well, I am proud to see that my rep (Culberson) voted NAY. There were some Texas Dems among the Nays as well.
And, after the debacle, there were two Texans and an Indiana guy speaking to the cameras on Cspan (and an empty chamber) to expose the crime committed. They put up a good argument and I hope the residual audience (of which I was one) paid attention.
For more than a century we in Texas have been producing energy for our country and this is the unkindest cut of all.
I can work overseas, as I have done before. You poor bastards probably don’t have that option.
My Senator has already come out against this, so letters from me won’t make a difference. If your Senator is a Dem, then write, call, email -if you have any fondness for your country- to kill this evil legislation.
nothingtocareabout (19:15:00) :
A whole nation being couped by the Commies…….
Correction: A whole continent.
We must act quickly just got 3 feet taller.
The American people just had 3 feet cut out from underneath them.
That means we have 3 feet left to fight with in the Seanate.
Expect no quarter from the Executive Branch.
None will be given.
Expect no mercy from the Judicial Branch.
They won’t hear it.
The fate of this country comes down to 100 votes.
The natural cycle deniers have won…
We have lost !
The fight wasn’t over no matter what happened with this bill in the House, anyway. We are going to win some battles and lose some battles from here on out, so we have to keep this in the proper perspective and continue as best we can. We only lose the war if we stop fighting. So take heart friends! Let’s shake the dust off and get ready for the next round. Tomorrow is a new day.
Andrew
I sent an email to my Representative reprimanding him for voting on a bill he did not read, and let him know in no uncertain terms that I intend to work for who ever opposes him from now on. I consider him incompetent to serve in public office for agreeing to vote on ANY bill he did not read and understand.
I also just dropped a line to my Senator, and closed with comments that I am fed up with my congressional representatives voting on bills they have not read and analyzed, nor have been posted for public comment prior to the vote.
I think the most important message is to communicate that we are sick and tired of our elected representatives screwing around with the system, and we not only expect, but demand that they honor their promise to post bills for comment and expect them to know the contents of any bill voted on.
As far as I am concerned, voting on a bill you have not read is malfeasance in office and a direct violation of their oath of office, and I intend to keep voting people out of office until I get some one who does the most elementary due diligence necessary to do his job and represent me intelligently.
If a corporate board member voted on decisions without having a clue what was involved he would be violating his fiduciary duty to his stock holders. I see no difference between that situation and voting on a bill thrown over the transom at 3:00 in the morning.
Larry
from icecap.us
http://enews.core-online.us/mail/util.cfm?gpiv=2100041936.15518.285&gen=1
For Immediate Release: June 25, 2009
Media Contact: Niger Innis, National Spokesman, CORE, (702) 633-4464
HOUSE CLIMATE BILL CALLED “IMMORAL” BY MAJOR CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER
Washington, D.C. (June 25, 2009) — The Waxman-Markey climate bill is “an immoral assault on poor Americans” because it is designed to purposely raise the cost of energy in order to force the working poor to reduce their standard of living, according to one of the nation’s leading civil rights champions.
Roy Innis, Chairman of the Congress of Racial Equality — one of America’s oldest civil rights organizations — made the allegation in a letter to all members of Congress on Wednesday. CORE has been heavily engaged in the national energy policy debate since the publication of Innis’ 2007 book, “Energy Keepers, Energy Killers.” The book was a Washington Post non-fiction best seller.
“In my 40-plus years as the Chairman of CORE, I have seen few federal bills that would do more harm to America’s working class and low-income citizens and families than the Waxman-Markey climate tax bill,” Innis wrote to Members of Congress.
“The Waxman-Markey bill is designed specifically to make the use of fossil fuels more costly,” Innis said. “That will have a disproportionate and negative impact on those who now benefit most from the affordable and reliable power that fossil fuels provide: poor and working-class families.”
“In fact, an underlying goal of this legislation is the morally repugnant concept that constricting sources of domestic energy and raising energy costs is a good thing because it will force conservation by consumers,” Innis said. “That elitist view assumes that poor, working class families have the ability to bear that ‘social cost.'”
“The plain truth is this: the poor and working families we represent cannot bear that luxury,” Innis told Congress.
“Americans don’t want ‘energy welfare’ payments from the government to help ease the sting of these government-driven cost increases,” Innis wrote. “They want continued affordable and reliable energy, which this bill will constrict.”
Innis concluded: “This is an explicitly anti-consumer package that will have huge impacts – both direct and indirect – on the struggling families we represent.”
CORE said it plans to launch a national public education campaign against the Waxman-Markey legislation. CORE has more than 100,000 members nationwide.
____________________________
That’s 101 votes, if it gets that close.
The Democrats play an excellent game of First Liar Wins. I thought it was a game reserved for historians, but it seems a natural for politics in the age of Oprah.
I agree with CORE:
The Waxman-Markey climate bill is “an immoral assault on poor Americans” because it is designed to purposely raise the cost of energy…
And it is not just an assault on poor Americans, it is an assault on all of you, my American friends. The poor will be hurt most, but Waxman-Markey is a job-killer for all.
In 2002, Sallie Baliunas (Harvard U), Tim Patterson (Carleton U) and I wrote:
http://www.apegga.org/Members/Publications/peggs/WEB11_02/kyoto_pt.htm
[Begin excerpt]
Kyoto has many fatal flaws, any one of which should cause this treaty to be scrapped.
Climate science does not support the theory of catastrophic human-made global warming – the alleged warming crisis does not exist.
Kyoto focuses primarily on reducing CO2, a relatively harmless gas, and does nothing to control real air pollution like NOx, SO2, and particulates, or serious pollutants in water and soil.
Kyoto wastes enormous resources that are urgently needed to solve real environmental and social problems that exist today. For example, the money spent on Kyoto in one year would provide clean drinking water and sanitation for all the people of the developing world in perpetuity.
Kyoto will destroy hundreds of thousands of jobs and damage the Canadian economy – the U.S., Canada’s biggest trading partner, will not ratify Kyoto, and developing countries are exempt.
Kyoto will actually hurt the global environment – it will cause energy-intensive industries to move to exempted developing countries that do not control even the worst forms of pollution.
Kyoto’s CO2 credit trading scheme punishes the most energy efficient countries and rewards the most wasteful. Due to the strange rules of Kyoto, Canada will pay the former Soviet Union billions of dollars per year for CO2 credits.
Kyoto will be ineffective – even assuming the overstated pro-Kyoto science is correct, Kyoto will reduce projected warming insignificantly, and it would take as many as 40 such treaties to stop alleged global warming.
The ultimate agenda of pro-Kyoto advocates is to eliminate fossil fuels, but this would result in a catastrophic shortfall in global energy supply – the wasteful, inefficient energy solutions proposed by Kyoto advocates simply cannot replace fossil fuels.
[End excerpt]
The IPCC has changed its position many times since 2002. For example, witness the Mann hockey stick fiasco.
However there is no need to change our conclusions, since most of them have come true in the intervening seven years, in Canada, Europe, or both.
“Earth is cooling… …pass it on…”
Regards, Allan
The state of Texas has 31 Representatives.
Republican: 21
Democrat: 10
2 Democrats voted “no” today = 23/8 ratio.
One, on his website, said he didn’t think it was good for Texas.
State before party – what a concept.
I emailed both to thank them, but had to fake the ZIP to get through.
I dunno…. sometimes the two party system really sucks.
The founders were against all political parties. Trouble is that in any system where majority rules, parties are inevitable, and either there are two major parties or else there are two major clumped coalitions.
Not even the founders could escape the harsh logic of game theory.
We are so screwsted.
I’m working on a “survialist strategy”.
Damn.
That’s SCREWED.. well, then maybe screwsted is a good new word, sort of “newspeak” so to speak. (That’s a political joke…don’t count on the left to get it.)
I’m sitting here just stunned.
On one hand, I tell myself, why should I be surprised at the audacity of these… ummm people. (Note to reader: not the word I would like to use…) They hate themselves. They hate everyone else. They hate their country. They hate the success of civilization as we know it. Why be surprised when we see the results.
On the other hand. I am ANGRY. My republican representative to my government voted in FAVOR of this unbelievably stupid piece of legislation. How did this happen. Why did this happen. It is a forgone conclusion that the people who placed their trust in this man to represent them to their government do not support his vote. [self-snip][RANT][Spittle even]
The world has gone crazy. What do not crazy people do now?
Well, the UN bureaucracy has triumphed. Gore is poised to make billions and Obama is just the puppet. Watch for Harper’s Canada to impose a carbon tax next… Only when we’ll freeze our butts year after year will the people rise and take these traitors to their reckoning day.
I think that the long term strategy of the Left is to scrap Congress, if it proves to be unresponsive, in favor of rule by edict, as has happened in Latin America. All they need is to have a voting block large enough to keep Congress from being veto proof.
I heard a quote of Obama saying that the Democratic Party needed to be purged. Are they using this vote to create their hit list for 2010?
These conservatives and moderates need to wake up, put Country before Party, get rid of Pelosi, push the Left back to the radical fringe, and take back their Party.
yet, the TARP bill and 500 pages passed in a day too, with no reading required.
Boehner is right. The bills should be read before they are voted on.
I think this should be a law.
You can help support the “Read the Bills Act” at the link below:
http://www.downsizedc.org/etp/campaigns/27
Senate to vote on cap & trade….contact them.
FACTS: WHY VOTE AGAINST CAP & TRADE
http://factreal.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/facts-why-vote-against-cap-trade-hr2454/
The hostile takeover is nearly complete now, the western world is in for some big changes.
The shadow regime that has been growing like a cancer inside the western world will soon be showing itself in all its ugly and sinister glory, you have to hand it to the NWO/CP commissar parasite classes, they have played a blinder and now they are about to reap the rewards.
Just a couple more more hurdles and the USA/western democracies are no more, the anti democratic noose will tighten quickly and very soon, the supine bought off MSM will report trivia and propaganda whle the commissar class enact all the new rules for the coming dictatorship, just a few hurdles and that will be that for western civilisation, gone in the blink of an eye!
This is going to go down in history as a very wrong decision.
From Churchill’s speech after the signing of the Munich Agreement in 1938 that consigned Czechoslovakia to the Nazi wolves,
“…. they should know that we have sustained a defeat without a war, the consequences of which will travel far with us along our road; they should know that we have passed an awful milestone in our history, …. ”
Are US politicians determined to destroy the US economy on a belief in highly suspect science ?.
I love that … “Read the Bills Act” … Have they actually stooped so stinking low and so stinking stupid that we actually have to pass a bill that requires them to read the stinking bills? Do you think they will read that bill? LOL
A good friend has condos for sale in Asia (beach view to be specific). I was laid off today and I’m now planning my exit from the US in case our senators are as brain-dead as our congressmen. Today’s vote makes me want to puke.
Jesse
It appears that the House has lost its collective mind. I can’t believe they would do this to the country in the midst of this painful recession. The temperature anomaly for May was .05 degrees according to satellite data. How can the House pass legislation which would make us pay hundreds of billions more for energy based on that?
One more question: If the science is settled, tell me why the so-called experts can’t even agree on what the temperature was in May of 2009? GISS (the surface measurements) ranks May as the 5th warmest May out of the last 130 years. Satellite temperatures (UAH) rank it 16th out of 31. That is a fundamental yet unexplained difference. If the experts can’t even tell us if last month’s global temperature was above normal or just average, how are we supposed to believe that their computer models can accurately predict what the weather will be 20 years into the future?
This should be a new rule for Congress. Voting takes place on the last week of every month. The week prior should be spent in a series of townhall meetings IN THEIR DISTRICTS talking to their constituents. All bills must be submitted by the week of the townhall meetings to allow for public dissection and debate. Also, they will have to explain these bills to their constituents. This will clean things up pretty quickly. Who would want to go deal with an angry horde of people who could vote you out of office?
Climate Depot Editorial: Climate Bill’s Passage Represents ‘nothing more than unrestrained exercise of raw political power, arm-twisting and intimidation’
Andrew – Long term ? More damage has been done to this country in the last six months than I would have ever imagined. This climate bill is the last straw in my book. It perpetuates eco alarmism based on false assumptions and great marketing (propaganda). No one wants to say it here but they took an agenda, wrapped it in pseudo science and beat common sense to a pulp today. If they can spin a natural climate cycle into a global calamity worthy of monumental government action, I’m not sure what will get in their way ?
Sorry to say this but I’ve never seen a country ( or anything ) flush itself down the toilet so quickly. Talk about self abuse and taxing itself to death over NOTHING but some ” feel good leftist B.S agenda” without any reasonable scientific facts to back anything up. Doesn’t help when you have a talking head for president who can only speak with a teleprompter without it he stutters and repeats himself 100 times. I feel sorry for the once great USA. Goodbye ,it was nice knowing ya!
Brent in Calgary
Well my Congressman, Dave Obey voted yes. I am embarassed for him and ashamed.
Let Obey know, don’t keep it to yourself
Thanks Brent ! – we needed to lighten it up !
I think i’m going to open a bottle of wine…
Wyatt A (19:42:55) :
My question is that should this pass the Senate, where do we put (what remains of ) our savings before the economy collapses? Precious metals? Oil?
I’ve been calling everyone I know, and dare I say, there is no consensus. Some say gold, some say gold is overpriced and recommended other currencies, the rest had other ideas all over the board — but no one recommended a good mattress.
I managed to elude round 1last year (Massachusetts v EPA & what was going on with California real estate was enough for me), but I have yet to find a safe haven I’m comfortable with. And the bell is about to ring for round 2, and there ain’t no pretty woman walking around in a bikini holding a sign, but everyone here knows it’s coming.
Boehner was absolutely spot-on. This is the most profound legislation to hit the floor of the House in 100 years.
One could make the argument that General Electric would be such a safe haven if this makes it thru the Senate. I don’t know how Immelt has survived this long, but this bill may ultimately make him look like a genius (which he isn’t). Sad that I’m even considering it.
The weather will not change
Freedom will.
This is not a domestic American action. Freedoms lost in the USA if the US “Climate Bill” is passed in the US Senate will be freedoms lost around the world. Its passage would empower an oppressive form of socialism in all countries.
But it will not change the weather.
Fear engendered amongst the people by the distortion of science is but a lever for power. There is no care for humanity, nor for Earth itself. There is only selfishness and greed ridden on the backs of good people who do care but have been misled.
We have already stolen the rightful innocence of childhood from countless numbers of our children by instilling fear where there ought to be a sense of wonder. We have already stolen contentment from many good people by the manipulation of truth.
In doing so we have stunted mankind and discarded the hard-won wisdom of the ages.
And still the weather will not be changed; but we will be.
Oh, I don’t know. I think smug self righteousness has a lot to do with it. I don’t think democracy is (fundamentally) at risk, either. Representative republics do very stupid things sometimes. This is one such case.
The republicans need to stand together. Don’t stay home in 2010 the way some of you did in 2008.
United States of America
Born: July 4 1776
Died: June 26,2009
SUICIDE
REPLY: It is not law yet – Anthony
mkurbo,
Yes, open that bottle of wine. We aren’t the first persons in history to be opposing the stupidity of our “leaders”. We’re still here and we still have a lot of work to do. I realize that we have to assume the responsibility of being the adults, since our “leaders” have abdicated that and that means extra burdens now, on us. But it’s been that way for months/years now, so we may as well continue doing what we’ve been doing. There are still a lot of people who want to straighten our country out, so we are not alone. Get the people around you involved to help us, and let’s move forward with the truth. Preceding generations did as much in their time, now it’s our turn.
Andrew
I wasn’t A republican in the 2008 election, or a Democrat. I know which way I am going in 2010. Boehner earned my vote today, and the Democrats jeering at the end of the session was crude and immature. I will note that in my book, and vote accordingly.
Does anyone remember the TV series V?
Makes me want to buy a can of red spray paint.
Now I just need to work on the iconic symbol that is appropriate to the situation.
Larry
Perhaps the phrase “No you Can’t!” would work?
Larry
mkturbo,
I have been watching the rise of socialism in Latin America for the past 15 years. Trust me, there is a lot more on the agenda.
This bill passed by the narrowest of margins. Whatever was accomplished in the last six months, the momentum has slowed noticeably. If they follow the script, Congress will be portrayed as returning to politics as usual and an impediment to ‘Hope’ and ‘Change’. Soon, everything will be labeled a national emergency and Obama will rule by edict (like he isn’t already). The Constitution will be deemed too restrictive, outdated and in need of changing., A Constitutional Convention will be called for and….well, you get the general idea. It has all happened before in Latin America — the script is the same.
I ridiculed the conservatives and moderates in Latin America for seemingly standing by and just watching it happen without doing anything. I never thought it would happen here. It is happening here, and I am powerless to do anything but b***h and moan.
As scripted, the opposition (Republicans) are effectively emasculated by the regime and the MSM. It all rests with the moderate and blue dog democrats to stop this before the purge.
Call me paranoid, but it all looks so depressingly similar.
“By their own laws, we will destroy them.”
Anyone else noticed when this bill’s provisions take effect?
http://www.heritage.org/Research/EnergyandEnvironment/tst062609a.cfm
Excerpts:
According to the analysis we conducted at The Heritage Foundation, which is attached to my written statement, the higher energy costs kick in as soon as the bill’s provisions take effect in 2012. For a household of four, energy costs go up $436 that year, and they eventually reach $1,241 in 2035 and average $829 annually over that span. Electricity costs go up 90 percent by 2035, gasoline by 58 percent, and natural gas by 55 percent by 2035. The cumulative higher energy costs for a family of four by then will be nearly $20,000.
But direct energy costs are only part of the consumer impact. Nearly everything goes up, since higher energy costs raise production costs. If you look at the total cost of Waxman-Markey, it works out to an average of $2,979 annually from 2012-2035 for a household of four. By 2035 alone, the total cost is over $4,600.
Overall, Waxman-Markey reduces gross domestic product by an average of $393 billion annually between 2012 and 2035, and cumulatively by $9.4 trillion. In other words, the nation will be $9.4 trillion poorer with Waxman-Markey than without it.
I’d make the argument that the higher costs will kick in months before 2012 in anticipation of the bill’s provisions taking effect. Just in time for the 2012 presidential election to kick into full gear.
So why 2012? Why would they jeopardize the presidency?
Or are they hedging their bets here because they know full well what is going to happen?
I think they chose 2012 for a reason, namely that they’re laying this at Obama’s feet to use his speaking abilities to gloss it over because they can’t handle it themselves.
You would think that if they really believed we were near a tipping point (as Waxman stated himself on the floor today) that they would want to implement this as soon as possible. After all, we’re on the verge of a climatic catastrophe, right?
Further illustrates that this is all politics and little to do with global warming.
ohioholic has the right idea.
A lot of you aren’t old enough to remember Carter. If we could survive that, we can survive anything. The idea is not to throw in the towel. I suspect them dems may suffer strategic overstretch on this one; it’s very unpopular.
Nobody heard these men speak. They were too busy admiring their SUV, watching their big screen tv, surfing the internet, playing Xbox, texting, … and never imaging it could be any different for them.
“evanmjones (23:02:08) : …Carter. If we could survive that, we can survive anything”
We really haven’t gotten over Carter. Some of the things he did still haven’t been undone. The glaring example is he is the one that started the subprime ball rolling.
In 1992, my friend Claire Wolfe said, in the wake of Ruby Ridge, Waco, and other abuses of federal power, “It’s too late to work within the system and too early to start shooting the b***tards.” That was 17 years ago.
Boehner is my rep, and yes, I thanked him and asked that the 8 be punished.
I imagine it’s a matter of proximity ohioholic, I never doubted Boehner’s conservative ‘street cred’.
And to all ‘gloomy’ commenters before me…it’s not over yet.
Real Americans don’t indulge themselves with despair.
In the end all tyranny falls, always. Time is on our side and something good is going to come out of this. Continue the fight, the war has only just begun. 🙂
The hard work wasn’t for naught…. This still has to go before the senate. It will fail there. They know now that there is lots of people against this for good reason.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
LoL Hotrod….
Perhaps…..” No You Won’t!”
It’s more definite….
Just because you are paranoid, doesn’t mean they are not after you.
So… Now we wait and see. 40 yrs is a long way to kick it down the road.(2050)
The cycles should show the truth in that time.
Earlier this year the senate voted they would not attach the global warming bill to the budget. The budget bills are not susceptible to the 60 vote filibuster but are straight 51 vote bills. Is that previous vote legally binding, or can an end run be done?
It’s the Robin Hood delusion, Take from the rich (countries) to give to the poor.
The ultimate socialist redistribution policy…and possibly the end of Western Civilization.
The Chinese now know they will rule the world.
hotrod (22:31:38) :
Now I just need to work on the iconic symbol that is appropriate to the situation.
Perhaps the phrase “No you Can’t!” would work?
Too negative.
The iconic symbol should be the Sun. Get your orange spray cans out.
The provider of energy
The controller of climates on all planets
The light of truth
The dispeller of clouded reason
and the catchphrase?
Not ‘yes we can’
Not ‘no you won’t’
“The peoples will”
REPLY: It is not law yet – Anthony
Yeah, I know, I substituted June 26, 2009 for Nov 20, 2008, which is when it actually happened… All interesting T-shirt captions aside, as Daniel Boone said, I’m not lost, I’m just temporarily bewildered.
The USA is in a dangerous predicament indeed, and based on the demonstration we witnessed today, I’m not convinced we are out of the woods when the senate votes.
I then wrote a very long diatribe explaining my frustration with the scientific and economic capability of our politicians, but finally realized after typing a whole lot of kilobytes that I don’t have a viable solution for the scientifically illiterate as I have not found an adequate method of deprogramming the stupid. The mathematical equation, as you might have guessed, was direct.
BTW, Anthony, you were right on with your guess on Hansen. When all logic fails and a debate looms, get arrested. I try to avoid that myself, but I don’t work for NASA.
Mike S.
I hoped & prayed that this Bill would be thrown out on its rear end. Sadly this didn’t happen. The one civilized nation left that could turn this farago on its head & brought sanity to the world has succumbed.
The only way now, is to show the “enemy” what for at the ballot box, in the most brutal & severe way you can, defeat every last one of them so that changes can be brought back in, before they change “democracy” into a farce like it is in the UK! This is the ultimate humiliation for any political party when defeat is overwhelmingly displayed this way! Bruise them so badly that they will think thrice before aligning themselves in such a way again!
The BBC are claiming that our “green” energy commitments will increase energy bills by 10%, & the rest more like 25%, but taxes will subsidise these for a short while to give a little time for acceptance by the heard of the populace until it is too late to reverse. We’re pretty much finished as a nation with our guilt trip baggage being hauled before the world, I hope I am wrong but you are next on the list! Like I said yesterday, MJ will cover a multitude of sins whilst attention is diverted, the Whitehouse couldn’t have wished for better timing. Now, just who was it at the UN who not so long ago, rather angrily said in a fit of pique, “We will bury you!”.
I truly believe that Nature will show us the way in the end, I just hope she does so pretty quickly.
Hang on in there America, the world needs you guys more than ever!
hotrod (20:09:46) :
As far as I am concerned, voting on a bill you have not read is malfeasance in office and a direct violation of their oath of office, and I intend to keep voting people out of office until I get some one who does the most elementary due diligence necessary to do his job and represent me intelligently.
If a corporate board member voted on decisions without having a clue what was involved he would be violating his fiduciary duty to his stock holders. I see no difference between that situation and voting on a bill thrown over the transom at 3:00 in the morning.
Larry, I think you have a legal case here, point 2 is obvious in the private sector, so why not public? The notion that the entire package was reviewed and understood, or even could be understood before the voting started borders on insanity. Any rational shareholder complaint would be upheld in this case. Are we not shareholders?
Now, how do we proceed? Is there a lawyer in the house?
The Democrats think they just balanced the budget. Hogs at the trough.
There is no check or balance on any branch of government right now. They can do what they want and they know it. Obama is going to look more and more like a dictator. He’s a statist now, there is no compromise at all as he has written of the other side of the aisle.
I’ll give you one example: Michael Jackson. Enough Said.
We’ll be OK however. They are not going to be able to do what they said when the US citezins can’t heat or cool their homes because of this we’ll relax; and here’s the catch, some of this.
“but demand that they honor their promise to post bills for comment and expect them to know the contents of any bill voted on.”
That’s like demanding that the tanks stop in Tianenamen Square.
Of the 17 “on-line” faces of the media that I look at, only the Christian Science Monitor had _anything_ about the travesty today.
Fox news had only Michael Jackson on the front page.
My Democrat Representative voted NO.
I never expected that — there is hope.
Sadly my own congress-critter (Etheridge, NC-02) decided to vote yes. This despite my call urging a NO, as if he were necessarily going to listen to little old me.
An email has been sent conveying my displeasure with a reminder that November, 2010 is just around the corner. A follow-up call will be made during business hours next week.
NC has a Democrat and a Republican for Senators. They both will get REAL tired of hearing from me, particularly the Democrat. I suggest that you all similarly wear your Senators out.
As Mr. Watts points out, it’s not law, yet. It must not be allowed to become so.
Hey guys,
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction…
Watch for the backlash if this Cap and Trade every becomes law.
The worlds largest experimental laboratory may have traversed to the outside- scholars projected conclusion. And in these attempts to manage many unknowns, within their cubical that became so apathetic, the demobilization has begun.
Is empirical science a commodity that may be bought and sold? If common sense is purchasable, then so is integrity.
For those of you who are downcast.
There are millions of Americans who hold their liberty to be a sacred thing.
There are millions more just like them around the world.
The only issue is that most are not aware that their liberty is under threat. Once that awareness is present – expect things to change.
No matter what the political predators choose to do, the Will to Liberty will not die, and the desire for human freedom and individual dignity can not be extinguished.
The fight in the Senate beckons, and if free men and women are bested there, then the fight will only shift to other grounds.
The more the political predators raise the stakes the more resistance they will generate. There own actions driven by their hubris and overwhelming arrogance will lay the seeds of their own downfall.
At no point will free men and women be found trembling, and clutching each other in the dark, awaiting their doom at a time and place chosen by others.
This I know.
Alan the Brit (01:47:38) :
I hoped & prayed that this Bill would be thrown out on its rear end. Sadly this didn’t happen. The one civilized nation left that could turn this farago on its head & brought sanity to the world has succumbed.
The only way now, is to show the “enemy” what for at the ballot box, in the most brutal & severe way you can, defeat every last one of them so that changes can be brought back in, before they change “democracy” into a farce like it is in the UK! This is the ultimate humiliation for any political party when defeat is overwhelmingly displayed this way! Bruise them so badly that they will think thrice before aligning themselves in such a way again!
The BBC are claiming that our “green” energy commitments will increase energy bills by 10%, & the rest more like 25%, but taxes will subsidise these for a short while to give a little time for acceptance by the heard of the populace until it is too late to reverse. We’re pretty much finished as a nation with our guilt trip baggage being hauled before the world, I hope I am wrong but you are next on the list! Like I said yesterday, MJ will cover a multitude of sins whilst attention is diverted, the Whitehouse couldn’t have wished for better timing. Now, just who was it at the UN who not so long ago, rather angrily said in a fit of pique, “We will bury you!”.
I truly believe that Nature will show us the way in the end, I just hope she does so pretty quickly.
Hang on in there America, the world needs you guys more than ever!
Alan,
1. Our political and Governmental systems have been infiltrated and controlled by proponents of the now Climate Change Doctrine.
2. A colder climate will only infuriate the opposition of the doctrine, otherwise it won’t change anything.
3. All now depends on the US Senate and all possible opposition forces to derail Copenhagen.
4. We need much more and much stronger European opposition.
The recent shift to the right that underlined the latest EU Parliamentary Elections could be seen as an encourgement although political opposition to climate related
subjects is still weak and trickey due to the level of indoctrination of the electorate.
We have to work very, very hard and curb the current developments before we are all declared “Enemies of the State”.
In the mean time the current economic crises, which was triggered by high fuel prices in the first place, will take a terrible toll as it further deepens and hopes of a quick recovery fade.
I am talking about massive outbreaks of famine as millions are cut off from access of cheap food.
Already 1.2 billion people try to survive on a food budget under 1.800 calories.
Prepare for mass starvation caused by Government Policies.
Everyone. Go right now and email your senator and urge them to vote ‘NO’. Do it now!!!
Just told my Senator to vote against this horrific bill.
A few months back, a senior Russian bureaucrat (actually, IIRC, it was the Vice-President) in an in-depth interview was firm in his stated opinion, that, as a result of the Obama victory and the polarization around it, the US was finished. That not only would the US fall rapidly in power and influence on the world stage, but by 2010 (or perhaps 2012, memory is weak) it would be deep in civil war. The interview at the time seemed laughable and farcical.
As a long time observer and neighbour watching the US especially closely during the last term of Bush, the treatment of Palin, and the machinations of the Democratic National Caucus, the national media and the administration of today, I fear the VP might well be correct. This vote may well portend that Americans may have to take their government back by force. I think you may have two, and only two opportunities to change the course of this: derail it in the senate, then sweep clean in 2010. 2012 is an eternity away in the life of a nation.
Sadly, my representative, Melissa Bean also voted for this bill. I have sent an email expressing my disappointment, displeasure and intent to campaign against her in the next election.
I wish I could hold out hope for contacting my senators. I happen to live in the “great” state of Illinois, represented by Dick Durbin and Roland Burris. It is a futile gesture to contact either one in any issue running counter to the administration, yet I will do so anyway.
From American Thinker,
Email Friend | Print Article | 71 Comments | Share Share
June 26, 2009
Cap-And-Tax Passes House Despite Last Ditch 300 Page Switch (Updated)
Marc Sheppard
The largest and most wasteful tax-hike in the history of this republic just passed the House by a vote of 219 to 212. And while 44 wise Democrats crossed party lines to vote against it, 8 Republicans actually forgave an unforgivable 3AM airdrop and voted for this abomination anyway, giving the numbskulls one more yea than they needed We’ll know their names, and perhaps their inducements, soon. (Update: Names and Phone Numbers at page Bottom)
The last minute chicanery was revealed to the public this morning on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, when Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) announced that the Democrats had dropped a 300 page amendment into the cap-and-tax bill at 3AM this morning. The congressman had no idea what was contained within the eleventh hour changes, and assumed the bill would go to the floor with his fellow legislators equally ignorant. And the villains who crafted the last-ditch switch likely hit the sheets this morning anticipating a likewise uninformed vote.
But Minority leader John Boehner spent over an hour on the House floor this afternoon exposing the contents of the amendment. And he itemized its provisions for wealth realignment and government intervention into literally every miniscule aspect of American’s lives that are so implausible, so outrageous, so over-the-top insane, that it was hard to imagine that this bill – which was considered a toss-up all day – would have any chance of survival in a rational world.
Alas, we live in no such world.
It appears the Blue Dogs came through. The Yellow Skunks did not.
** Updated 6/26/09 10:20 PM EDT
Had just two of these RINO reptiles voted the will of their constituents, Washington would be whistling a different tune tonight. If any of them happen to slink about your district, don’t wait for Election Day to express your outrage:
Bono Mack, Mary (CA-45) 202-225-5330
Castle, Mike (DE) 202-225-4165
Kirk, Mark (IL-10) 202-225-4835
Lance, Leonard (NJ-7) 202-225-5361
LoBiondo, Frank (NJ-2) 202-225-6572
McHugh, John (NY-23) 202-225-4611
Reichert, Dave (WA-8) 202-225-7761
Smith, Chris (NJ-4) 202-225-3765
Herbert Hoover got that devastating Smoot-Hawley Bill enacted, and it managed to inflict a depression on the World’s economy, including our own. Barack Obama’s cap for pap may achieve the same result but in reverse, when the developing BRIC countries (Brazil, India, Russia, China, etc.), unburdened by a foolish and unnecessary stealth carbon tax, proceed to destroy our jobs. Will Congress then respond with a new Smoot-Hawley howler to curtail the flood of cheaper imports sure to follow? Or will cooler heads in the Senate prevail and dump cap for pap to avoid the unintendended consequence of inviting Depression II?
Mike Lorrey (18:06:27) Said:
Ha I clicked on the “offset your carbon emissions” ad below the video on the main page 30 times.
……………………………………………………………………..
Ha ! so did I, in fact at 3cents a click, isn’t it ? , I clicked 34 times so as it costs them at least a dollar ….. hahaha.
Lets all make it a point to do this every visit (if time allows) and Anthony can gain some revenue, whilst the carbon shills can pay his expenses. That’s IRONY !!!! Maybe if enough people click often enough, it may cause a DOS website crash, now we wouldn’t want that to happen would we ?
Guffaw 😀
Sen. Inhofe makes some very good points here:
Remember the Bill has yet to be given a timetable in the Senate, and Inhofe has previously stated that there isn’t a ghost of a chance of it being passed in the Senate, because there aren’t the required majority of votes to do so, under the rules. Sen. Boxer already knows this and has already conceded defeat we are told.
More from Inhofe @ the 3rd NIPCC
http://tinyurl.com/inhofe-nipcc
So why then has the House wasted so much cash and time on this utter farce?
Here are the eight Republicans In Name Only (RINO) who betrayed they Country and generations of American’s yet unborn by voting YES on the Waxman-Markey energy tax bill.
Mary Bono Mack (CA45); California 45th District; http://bono.house.gov/;
Mike Castle (DE); Delaware; http://castle.house.gov/
Mark Steven Kirk (IL-10); Illinois 10th District; http://www.house.gov/kirk/
Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-2); New Jersey 2nd District; http://www.house.gov/lobiondo/
Chris Smith (NJ-4); New Jersey 4th District; http://chrissmith.house.gov/
Leonard Lance (NJ-7); New Jersey 7th District ; http://lance.house.gov/
John M. McHugh (NY-23); New York 23rd District ; http://mchugh.house.gov/
Dave Reichert (WA-8); Washington 8th District; http://reichert.house.gov/
I am saddened to report that three of these eight traitors are in my own State of New Jersey. I will do everything in my power to make sure that they never hold elective office as Republicans in New Jersey again. If these three RINO’s and just one other RINO from another State had voted NO the bill would have been defeated. My message to all eight is save yourself and us a lot of time and effort and become Dummycrats now!
Michael Ronayne
Nutley, NJ
I skimmed through the 300 pages of amendments last night and posted my comments in my blog:
http://www.anupchurchchrestomathy.com/2009/06/last-minutes-amendments-to-waxman.html
You might enjoy the part about Location-Efficient Mortgages, which is near as
I can tell means you get help on your mortgage if you buy a house closer to work.
“Under my plan of a cap and trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.”
Barrack Obama – January 2008
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2008/11/03/obamas-energy-plan-bankupt-coal-power-plants-skyrocketing-electricity-rates/
[snip – let’s not go there please]
In response to the excellent comments and observations thus far I would add that when contacting our Senators it’s not enough to urge just a no-vote. It will be VERY important to insist upon a no-vote for any of the myriad ‘compromises’ that will come down the legislative pipeline.
A watered-down W-M is no better than that narrowly passed yesterday. It must be rejected in its totality or else we’re still firmly behind the eight-ball.
Here’s a summary that may interest readers.
15 Reasons to Oppose Climate Bill Courtesy – Club for Growth via Instapundit
Need a reason to oppose the Waxman-Markey “cap and tax” bill, which will be voted on in the House later this afternoon? Here are 15 reasons, provided by the good folks at the RSC. Democrats should find several of these reasons hard to ignore.
1. National Energy Tax: This is a tax that will affect constituents in every aspect of their lives. From transportation, to food, to electricity, to income – this is the ultimate regressive consumption tax to the tune of nearly $3,000 per year according to the Heritage Foundation. The costs per family for the whole energy tax aggregated from 2012 to 2035 are estimated to be $71,493.
2. Exacerbates the Economic Crisis: Studies from numerous independent research groups, including MIT, the Heritage Foundation, and CRA International, all agree that implementing a massive cap and tax scheme will cost millions of jobs, reduce earnings for the average U.S. worker, and devastate GDP.
3. Massive Job Losses: According to the Heritage Foundation, employment will be lower by 1,105,000 jobs per year. In some years, the national energy tax will reduce employment by nearly 2.5 million jobs.
4. Winners & Losers: The bill transfers wealth from rural areas to cities. States like California, Washington, and New Jersey would receive more emission credits than they need, enabling them to sell surplus credits to smaller facilities in states like Ohio that receive maybe half of the credits they need – making the rich, richer, and the poor, poorer.
5. Little Environmental Impact: The bill will cost consumers trillions of dollars, while reducing, by a very small amount the carbon dioxide that is contained in our atmosphere. World-wide emission reductions would be negligible without the full participation of all nations. Additionally, just because the government requires a certain decrease in emissions within a certain timeframe, does not mean such decreases can occur in that time period.
6. Green Jobs Are a Proven Failure: According to a recent study (PDF) that reviewed the impact of “green jobs” in Spain, the U.S. can expect 2.2 jobs to be destroyed for every 1 renewable job financed by the government. Only 1 in 10 of the jobs actually created through green investment is permanent, and since 2000, Spain has spent 753,778 U.S dollars to create each “green job,” including subsidies of more than $1,319,783 per wind industry job.
7. Free Money to Select Corporate Titans: Government-run “cap and trade” is, by definition, a central economic planning scheme in which the government decides which industries and companies deserve more or fewer credits and what business factors and economic outputs are “necessary.” Small business and rural interests never had a seat at the table when discussions occurred on how to craft H.R. 2454.
8. Creates a Derivatives Market for Companies like AIG: Companies like AIG and ENRON will be participating in a new derivatives market that is much more volatile than housing or natural gas. This new unregulated derivates market will be more perilous for companies like these than the traditional ones that got them into trouble in the first place. In addition, since the created artificial market contains no transparency, it is more likely to attract traders intent on imposing Ponzi schemes in the same spirit of Bernie Madoff and swindle thousands of Americans.
9. Devastates Rural America: According to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the monthly residential electricity bills in 25 states will increase 15 to 28 percent for every $20/ton of carbon dioxide allowances. Rural households spend 58% more on fuel than urban residents as a percentage of their income. The Heritage foundation estimates farm income will drop by $50 billion by 2035.
10. Concedes to the Competition: Currently, China accounts for 85% of global growth in coal each year and is the world’s largest annual emitter of greenhouse gases. China’s energy usage rose by 7.2% last year and they are building approximately two coal fired power plants per week to keep up with demand. Recently, at a U.N. conference, the Chinese government’s advisory panel on climate change asserted that the cap and tax targets were too low by stating Given that, it is natural for China to have some increase in its emissions, so it is not possible for China in that context to accept a binding or compulsory target. In addition, India will not agree to any cap on their total energy production, and many believe India will double their coal-fired-capacity by 2030.
11. Discriminates Against Developing Nations: The bill creates a new program under USAID to provide U.S. foreign aid to developing countries for their efforts to adapt to climate change. Essentially, the bill is sending taxpayer funds to encourage third world nations to not develop carbon emitting energy sources – keeping them at a competitive disadvantage from developed nations for even more decades to come.
12. Establishes an Unrealistic Renewable Energy Standard (RES): “Cap and tax” does not take into account the fact that additional hydropower, nuclear and advanced fossil coal power plants cannot be deployed quickly enough to meet expected growth in electricity demand while also dramatically reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since renewable technology accounts for a small percentage of energy demand, consumers can expect not only higher rates, but more transmission problems during peak hours of demand. Additionally, the bill preempts at least 23 state renewable electricity standards.
13. Davis-Bacon: “Cap and tax” expands Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements to many provisions of the bill. This policy ahs been shown to increase public construction costs by anywhere from 5 to 38 percent above projected costs for the same project in the private sector.
14. Bloated Bureaucracy: The bill establishes a myriad of new federal agencies intertwined between at least 21established agencies with the mission of reallocating trillions of taxpayer dollars in a supposedly fair and efficient manor. According the U.S Chamber of Commerce (PDF), the bill will impose 397 new federal regulations that require traditional agency rulemakings.
15. Countless Federal Mandates: The bill imposes over a thousand mandates and even mandates efficiency requirements on electric appliances like Jacuzzis.
Even Greenpeace opposes it, that should say something.
The points above don’t even cover the 300 pages added at the last minute.
Another thing that can be done is to address the corporations that are getting behind this thing. In my case that would be Applied Materials, whose board chairman released this glowing endorsement of the legislation yesterday:
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS221000+26-Jun-2009+BW2009062627 June 2009
FWIW, here is the letter I am snail-mailing him (can’t get an e-mail address)
“Dear Mr. Splinter,
I am personally convinced that photovoltaic devices will be, long term, a major source of our energy, and that the photovoltaic industry is therefore due for major long-term growth. As a shareholder (albeit a small one) of Applied Materials, I obviously want to see profitability, both long and short term.
I must vigorously object, however, to your endorsement, evidently in the company’s name, of the American Climate and Energy Security Act. There are several reasons for this, but the most basic is that the act incorporates and is largely based on an untruth–that carbon dioxide is a ‘pollutant’ responsible for global warming. This is very far from being established. What has been established is that carbon dioxide is necessary for all photosynthetic plants, and that increased levels make plants grow faster. It is currently estimated that 16% of present world food production is due to recent increases in ambient CO2.
http://icecap.us/images/uploads/Christy-Schlesinger_debate_090211.pdf
Truth is one value, but there are others at risk in this act, particularly our economic freedom. The act enormously expands the power of the Federal government over almost every aspect of our lives. There is hardly anything we can do that does not currently depend at some point on chemical processes that produce CO2. So nothing is too small to be regulated by the feds.
Then there are the economic questions. The current experience of others, particularly Spain, strongly suggests that, while the program will generate a certain number of new jobs, the net effect will be job loss. This act will benefit some at the expense of others, and will open the door to corruption even wider than it already is. A resort to ad hominem argumentation is regrettable. Still, it is not entirely irrelevant to note that some who are pushing for this bill have an economic interest in the outcome. One of these is Al Gore’s Generation Investments. Alas, another is Applied Materials.
With all due respect, we should be taking the high road. Our future prospects are pretty good in their own right, without inflicting on our country the kind of collateral damage inherent in American Climate and Energy Security Act.”
I share the good Congressman’s dismay at having to plow through the massive amendment in a few minutes, and I am not in favor of this bill. I want to point out, however, that Boehner had no such reservations voting for the Patriot Act in 2001, legislation which could easily rival this bill for the epithet of “most profound in 100 years,” [nice hyperbole there – Voting RIghts Act, anyone?] and which neither he nor anyone else in Congress had read. Those of you cheering should note the double standard.
Don’t know what’s wrong with that Reuters link above. Anyone interested, try this one:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Applied-Materials-Applauds-bw-1315521242.html?x=0&.v=1&.pf=personal-finance&mod=pf-personal-finance
EvanJones….
I am old enough to remember Carter…and unfortunately I’m very concerned that Obama is far worse. Carter was just an ineffective bumbling weak spined idiot. Obama is an egotistical statist who wants to be on Rushmore. He can do far more damage
The thing I wonder is, are these Democrats really that ignorant of how an economy works or are they delibaretly trying to destroy our economy and way of life?
“Under my plan of a cap and trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.”
The ones who will suffer first and the most is the elderly on fixed incomes who can barely make it month to month now. It get’s well below zero for long periods of time, even during the day, in the winter in many Northern States of the US. Can anyone imagine the suffering of the elderly during that?
Has our President thought about that?
John Boehner tells it like it is, so does Lubos Motl.
I regard this as one of the best written comments on the Climate Bill.
Send out the word and make every American ashamed that this is happening in his country.
http://motls.blogspot.com/2009/06/mad-radical-leftists-wins-in-us-house.html
Too bad we didn’t put up and elect any candidates that think the way we do.
“If somebody wants to build a coal power plant they can it’s just that it will bankrupt them…”
See him say it for your self.
There are estimates that show electricity bills will double from Waxman-Markey.
Global Climate Chaos (18:57:14) : (B) displacement of human populations;
Yes, most certainly! Since this has passed the House, I’ve already asked my neighbors (who now own the land they were bidding on in South America) about the cost of a lease on a hectare or so. (They’ve been asking my level of interest…). I’ll also be taking to time to leverage my spouses EU / Commonwealth citizenship into the same for me (just to hold open all the emigration options that holds). I can claim the citizenship as a spouse.
Yup, certainly is causing population displacement…
Wyatt A (19:42:55) : My question is that should this pass the Senate, where do we put (what remains of ) our savings before the economy collapses? Precious metals? Oil?
Well, there are two broad ways of looking at it:
1) Invest in the winners (and avoid the losers).
2) Buy what the winners will want to buy.
The U.S.A. is a loser. (Sorry, it just is.) The E.U. is only marginally better (since they often pass laws they ignore for economic reasons, as noted above). Who wins? China, India, Russia, Brazil (and a gaggle of dinky countries that don’t have very large stock markets).
Of these, Russia is a bit problematic (too unpredictable politically and little respect for property rights) so it’s OK on a trade bases (i.e. days to weeks holdings of 10% or less of your capital and exit on any rumors of bad news) but not as an Investment (IMHO, of course). China is a bit better in that regard. They are nominally communists, but running full tilt toward capitalism and with a fairly strong adherence to property rights and the rule of law. India has a better legal / political framework, but a bit slower on the uptake for the whole competitive capitalism thing (but making good progress). Finally Brazil: They played with the Socialism Shiny Thing a few decades ago and got over it. They are growing like a weed and have reasonable property rights laws.
So my investment order is
1) Brazil
2) India
3) China
with about 25%, 10%, 5% at present and headed for higher levels of India and China. EWZ is the Brazil fund (broad spectrum of Brazil, heavy in oil, minerals and mining, steel, etc.). India has a half dozen funds, but EPI is one focused on earnings growth (while IIF IFN and INP are each a bit different bite at the same apple. IIF is a broad fund, IFN is a closed end fund so it can sell at a premium or discount to the contents, while INP holds “notes” like options and futures and is more volatile). EEM is a decent basket of the whole emerging markets with a mix of them. FXI holds 25 large Chinese companies and EWH is a fund focused Hong Kong.
I own EWZ, FXI, EWH, EPI and some selected specific stocks in each country (including TTM Tata Motors in India, FEED and HOGS that are pork production and feed companies in China, CZZ a Brazilian sugar and alcohol fuel maker and others from time to time. Of these, FEED and HOGS are the most speculative. TTM now owns the Jaguar and Land Rover brands, sold to them by Ford recently…) Oh, and I own some PBR, Petrobras, the Brazilian oil company. (And maybe one or two others I’ve forgotten … it’s early…)
So what will these folks buy? Resources, food, basic goods, energy.
So the common leverage on this is Australia, Canada, and Brazil.
Notice that Brazil is a “two fer” and is on both sides of the play…
In Australia, I mostly own IAF – a modestly thinly traded fund with a high dividend. It’s easier to buy into and sell out of EWA and I use it for shorter term trades as it is less likely to bounce all over when the market moves one way or the other… For Canada, I own a fair bit of Canadian energy companies. My favorites are SU Suncor, IMO Imperial Oil, and PCZ PetroCanada of which I own PCZ at the moment. I also own one of the Candadian rails, though I’ve forgotten if it was CP or CNI … I think it was CNI. (They both move more or less together). CCJ would likely also be good if nuclear takes off as a Uranium processor… EWC is a broad Canada basket.
I would not recommend directly trading oil and cold / metals unless you are practiced at it. They are volatile and fickle and hard to trade.
That’s my “first cut” and winners and losers. I also own a bit of Chile from time to time ( CH and SQM ) and a bit of some of the other folks who will win from this. SQM will mine all that Lithium for all those batteries…
O, and PCU Southern Copper (or FCX Freeport McMoran Copper and Gold) for all the wires this will take…
Should we get used to hearing about this:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28858971/
This is before the ‘electricity rates necessarily skyrocket’.
I probably ought to mention that it is inflection that makes things move, often very early. So EWP, the Spain fund, has moved up recently (one suspects in part due to the move away from damaging policies). So it’s not so important what the policies ARE as it is what direction they are CHANGING. So Australia and Spain are getting a clue and the USA is now clueless, move money from USA to the newly “with clue” … And Canada played with the Kyoto Shiny Thing, but now ignores it, direction of change is away from Kyoto…
per Global Climate Chaos (18:57:14) :
“Section 701 reads:
`(a) Findings- The Congress finds as follows:
`(1) Global warming poses a significant threat to the national security, economy, public health and welfare, and environment of the United States, as well as of other nations.”
Threat to our national security?!
That’s astonishing language. What executive powers does the POTUS have under those circumstances?
Shawn Whelan (09:28:57) : The thing I wonder is, are these Democrats really that ignorant of how an economy works or are they delibaretly trying to destroy our economy and way of life?
A useful, if not perfectly accurate razor:
“Never attribute to Malice that which is adequately explained by Stupidity”
I use it frequently…
Yes, I would agree that Obama is potentially more destructive than Carter. Yes, I agree that a few of the effects of Carter are still with us.
But I also think the system is resilient, and that much of what is done can indeed be undone. All it takes is awareness and votes – – both the weakness and great strength of the system.
You can unring a bell?
Undo the nationalization of the banks, heavy industry, and all of that?
Undo the president-for-live decress that seem to be just around the corner?
Unkill the victims of the impending shut-down of medical care?
Good luck, my kids will need it.
I believe the expanded and original version of the very appropriate above quote by E.M. Smith is attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, and goes something like this:
”Never automatically ascribe to deliberate malice that which is easily explainable by ordinary, everyday gross incompetence.”
However, one does have to wonder:
Could that many (D)s and the 8 misguided RINOs who voted for the final travesty that is Waxman-Markey (especially with the totally over-the-top 03:00 airdrop of the 300-page amendment) really be that totally clueless and incompetent ??
In any case: Whether it’s incompetence of malice or a combination of same:
The legislative malpractice and malfeasance reprented by H.R. 2454 as passed by the US House is truly breathtaking. And WRT to the MOCs of both parties that voted for 2454: Throw the bums out. Throw ’em ALL out.
You share the probloems this will create with all of us in Europe. The difference is that yuo do at least have some potential for directly influencing those who wold be your representatives. Much less so in Europe. Possibly no representation at all.
For what it’s worth I have been commenting on this self destruction potential for some time. It may be inevitable. All great civilisations fail eventually, usually rather rapidly, like the onset of an iceage.
Those with less convoluted social systems, as currently managed, will take over, by whatever method is available to them. Perhaps in some ways they already have.
I’m not really into conspiracy theories but one would have to wonder about the timing of certain celebrity demises – one in particular – and the way the MSM seem to have been distracted from any other subject. Here in the UK today most newspaper articles I read seem to have been composed by work experience trainees. Presumably the regular hacks were too busy trying to claim a by line for a couple of sentences about the departed one.
What strange times we find ourselves living in.
I wonder if, in years to come, the conspiracy theorists will think it strange that a high profile, and sad, death, Michael Jackson, just happened to be on the same day as a bill, with devastating consequences for the US of A, was voted on in Congress?
Enjoy. If that is the right word>
EricH,
I’m still wondering why a tavern owner who didn’t know either JFK or LHO would up and kill Oswald. And Jack Ruby died shortly thereafter from terminal cancer that he already knew he had.
Does that make me a conspiracy theorist?
Shawn Whelan (09:28:57) : asked
“The thing I wonder is, are these Democrats really that ignorant of how an economy works or are they delibaretly trying to destroy our economy and way of life?”
They are not ignorant. It’s ignorant to think that these people could be so ignorant.
Someone has pondered your question and provides this answer:
28 Sept 2008
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/09/barack_obama_and_the_strategy.html
This is an excerpt:
“In an earlier post, I noted the liberal record of unmitigated legislative disasters, the latest of which is now being played out in the financial markets before our eyes. Before the 1994 Republican takeover, Democrats had sixty years of virtually unbroken power in Congress – with substantial majorities most of the time. Can a group of smart people, studying issue after issue for years on end, with virtually unlimited resources at their command, not come up with a single policy that works? Why are they chronically incapable?
Why?
One of two things must be true. Either the Democrats are unfathomable idiots, who ignorantly pursue ever more destructive policies despite decades of contrary evidence, or they understand the consequences of their actions and relentlessly carry on anyway because they somehow benefit.
I submit to you they understand the consequences. For many it is simply a practical matter of eliciting votes from a targeted constituency at taxpayer expense; we lose a little, they gain a lot, and the politician keeps his job. But for others, the goal is more malevolent – the failure is deliberate. Don’t laugh. This method not only has its proponents, it has a name: the Cloward-Piven Strategy. It describes their agenda, tactics, and long-term strategy.”
These are emails I wrote to my Congressman (D-Chicago)
One before and after the vote.
BEFORE
===============
As you are my Representative in the Federal capital of our Republic, please take to heart my words.
There are two major issues coming to a vote soon that will destroy this country. Please do all you can to defeat them.
– Cap and Trade
– Stealth Nationalization of Heath Care/Insurance
I consider Cap and Trade to be a cruel economic attack on every aspect of our lives as Americans. This is an attack on us for being successful.
Are you seriously going to join in this atrocity? There is no Man-made Global Warming. Mankind’s CO2 is not harming the planet. Therefore this Cap and Trade thing will be one of the biggest lies perpetuated on the American people ever.. and by its own Government!
Think hard about your decision. You will be helping the Far Left wing in destroying this country and bringing misery to millions.
Frankly I can’t believe that our Govt is doing this to us. Have you people lost your minds?
Lets say for the sake of argument that mankind was destroying the Earth with the air we exhale.
China is emitting so much of the stuff that even if we did reduce CO2, they are producing so much of it that overall our reduction would not benefit the problem.
So why are you doing this? Why are you going to tax us to death? Destroy our industry (more than it already is).
Why are you dishonoring our Nation?
And the Health Care thing… all I have to say is, the Federal Govt is bankrupt.
You people in Congress have totally mismanaged our finances and you have impoverished us.
Horribly flawed Congressional policy has destroyed the finance system.
Horribly flawed economic , environmental and labor laws has destroyed the automobile industry.
We are a sitting duck for energy resource blackmail
People are more ignorant than ever and somehow an ugly partisan like Nancy Pelosi is chosen as Speaker of the House.
I detest Pelosi. I dont see how you people in the House can inflict her ‘leadership’ onto all of us through her office.
I am genuinely fearful of what you people in Congress are doing to the country. I have been full of such hopeless and anxious thoughts when I wonder where we are in the near future.
Please find the courage to oppose these proposals. I would write more and give concrete reasons why I oppose these measures but it was suggested to me to keep this letter brief.
Please defend the United States Constitution and oppose the Far left that is killing us.
=================
AFTER
I can not believe that you Democrats had the gall to foist a 3AM 300 Page Amendment for that destructive Cap and Trade bill… AND THAT YOU VOTED FOR IT.
Who are you people working for? This bill is a DISASTER…all done in the name of fake Global Warming. You liars are going to tax us to death and blame something that isn’t even happening.
You people make me sick. I will do all I can to make sure my neighbors are also disgusted with you
You people are supposed to protect this country.. not fcking plunder it.
Smokey (12.45.05)
One coincidence, OK.
I wonder if they’ll be anymore coincidences, to divert the populations attention, when this bill is voted on in the Senate.
Time always tells if you’re a conspiracy theorist or an astute cookie.
Enjoy.
Smokey (12:45:05) :
EricH, I’m still wondering why a tavern owner who didn’t know either JFK or LHO would up and kill Oswald. And Jack Ruby died shortly thereafter from terminal cancer that he already knew he had.
Does that make me a conspiracy theorist?
Asking the question does not, believing the answer does ;-}
Simon’s Law:
It is unwise to attribute to malice alone that which can be attributed to malice and stupidity.
I’m pretty stunned that
Bono Mack, Mary (CA-45) 202-225-5330
voted for this… a Republican from Riverside County voted for this nonsense?? Someone must have promised her a crapload of vaporous solar energy pork-barrel, that’s the only thing I can think of.
She’s not in my district (Dana Rohrbacher is), but I really want to give her a piece of my mind.
It took a speech by Senator Dale Bumpers to put the brakes on the Clinton impeachement. Warren Buffet’s partner is already on record saying cap and trade would be “monstrously stupid”. What’s keeping Warren from speaking up?
Shawn Whelan (09:28:57) :
Easier answer: Yes, AND Yes.
Most of these sorts of people I know state that reducing American and First World power and consumption are primary goals. They believe this is essential to equalizing the world. Environmentalism is simply a cover for most of them, a means to an end.
@ CodeTech
You have well said: “Most of these sorts of people I know state that reducing American and First World power and consumption are primary goals. They believe this is essential to equalizing the world. Environmentalism is simply a cover for most of them, a means to an end.”
And my guess is that an “equalized” world is one that is easy for a one world government to run. I’m also guessing that BO and the Dems believe they will be part of the group that rules. The quicker this country goes under, the quicker they get their new crowns and scepters.
I wonder how many people gained (and kept) power from putting Communists into power?
Call for Nation Wide Protests against the Climate Bill
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/12372
Paul Broun calls Global Warming a Hoax and states there is NO SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS. Nice to see some of our politicians are learning.
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/rep-paul-broun-calls-global-warming-hoax-gop-applauds
rotation2 (14:44:05) :
Warren Buffett on cap n trade starting at 4:10 of this video
CodeTech (14:55:05) : reducing American and First World power and consumption are primary goals.
Like Haiti?
Before I forget it, kudos and respect for the 44 Democrats that have voted AGAINST the Climate Bill.
Just wanted to have this said.
“The Climate Change Climate Change” by Kimberley Strassel in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal.
“As the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to pass a climate-change bill, the Australian Parliament is preparing to kill its own country’s carbon-emissions scheme. Why? A growing number of Australian politicians, scientists and citizens once again doubt the science of human-caused global warming.” – WSJ
David L. Hagen (21:38:17) : the American people will awake to the reality that this purely climate symbolic bill with real economic and lifestyle impacts may actually become law
“Perfect freedom is as necessary to the health and vigor of commerce as it is to the health and vigor of citizenship.”
~Patrick Henry
Dr. Taylor has become an inconvenient truth. Over the past couple of years I have had several exchanges with Congressman Inslee about polar bears while citing Dr. Taylor’s work. It was to no avail as he continued to insist that the bears were declining and imperiled. Congressman Inslee voted “yea” on cap and trade.
Sorry. My previous comment was suppose to be in reply to “Warmists deny Copenhagen access to polar bear scientist.”
This Bill would supposedly bring us more National security through reducing dependence on foreign oil. So they want to chain us to tax and higher costs for that? Shouldn’t we just drill in Alaska and solve the ‘dependence on foreign oil’ problem while we are looking for cleaner energy alternatives?
“Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”
~Benjamin Franklin
Ron de Haan (16:22:16) :
Before I forget it, kudos and respect for the 44 Democrats that have voted AGAINST the Climate Bill.
Don’t be so quick. Things are not always what they appear to be. Watch the video at this link. It will start after a short ad.
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=14187569&ch=4226716&src=news
Robert (20:37:21)
“My republican representative to my government voted in FAVOR of this unbelievably stupid piece of legislation. How did this happen. Why did this happen. It is a forgone conclusion that the people who placed their trust in this man to represent them to their government do not support his vote. [self-snip][RANT][Spittle even]”
Robert, you asked what you must do, and the short answer is that you must ensure that this person doesn’t return to Congress after the next election, even if you have to vote for a Democrat to make that happen. It is evident that this person doesn’t represent your interests. The following 8 Republicans voted FOR this terrible bill. None of them should be allowed to continue in office.
Bono Mack, Mary (CA-45) 202-225-5330
Castle, Mike (DE) 202-225-4165
Kirk, Mark (IL-10) 202-225-4835
Lance, Leonard (NJ-7) 202-225-5361
LoBiondo, Frank (NJ-2) 202-225-6572
McHugh, John (NY-23) 202-225-4611
Reichert, Dave (WA-8) 202-225-7761
Smith, Chris (NJ-4) 202-225-3765
On the other hand 44 Democrats voted AGAINST the bill. They might be considered for re-election
Ron
Just Want Results… (16:16:26) :
Warren Buffett on cap n trade starting at 4:10 of this video
He’s convinced about AGW. I’m a bit dissapointed.
Well, at this rate we’re all bound to be “burners” (literally: illegal burners of carbon-based fuels) now!
From the 1981 movie “Firebird 2015” (Warning: Grade B flick) with Darren McGavin warring against the Department of Vehicular Contrl (DVC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_2wWtacfO0
Consider: Not a ‘tavern’ owner per se, Jack was a “Night club” personality.
Think: Women, action, free invites (complimentary drinks) to the local constabulary (who also acted as bouncers and answered calls to the club) …
He was well known within the Dallas Poh-leece Department.
*No* conspiracy. Just look at the ‘associations’.
.
.
.
Shouldn’t we just drill in Alaska and solve the ‘dependence on foreign oil’ problem while we are looking for cleaner energy alternatives?
The problem with THAT idea is that we would have more oil, reducing the need for work on the alternatives. We saw that last year – with high gas prices, there was an actual WORKING push to come up with alternatives from the private sector. (Not necessarily from the government – ever notice how the ‘advances’ they push never seem to come to fruition in the way they’re supposed to, and IF they actually do – the cost is at least double, usually extracted in ways we don’t expect?) Then the inflated price deflated, and now the efforts are kind of on the back burner.
I fully expect this bill – if it passes the Senate – will have unexpected ramifications that’ll do damage in ways that we can’t even begin to imagine at this time…
No conspiracy. (Besides, it wasn’t as if it were the first time he ordered a gun through the mail and shot a politician.)
The reason they are blowing the public off is precisely because most folks feel do not write, email or phone their congressmen/women. That is why they feel they can ignore the public will.
The solution is to have a broad based move to simply vote out all incumbents. It won’t happen in every case, but if enough incumbents have tight races or get dumped for new blood, the message will get through.
Right now the only time that happens is during a major power shift like the recent downfall of the Republican party or the prior wholesale dumping of Democrats during the Reagan years. The problem with that is they pickup the wrong message, and think it is a “mandate” to their party to do the sort of mindless crap we are seeing now from Reid and Pelosi pushing through junk they have had in the drawers for years just waiting for the sea change.
What we need is an election day massacre where incumbents regardless of party get tossed out in high enough numbers for them to catch on it is not a mandate for either party, it is a wake up call, and mandate for people who will not abuse their power and will be responsive to the public they supposedly represent for a change. That is the only way to break their sucking up to various voting blocks and giving away candy to any voting block that will mindlessly put them in power just because of the hat they wear.
Voting on a bill you have not read is in my mind criminal conduct. If a Lawyer, or corporate board member did that sort of thing he would get tossed in jail for failing his fiduciary and or due diligence duty to his client/stock holder.
There is an implied contract between the public and the elected officials that they will perform simple due diligence as they conduct our business. To vote on ANY bill good or bad without having read it is a direct violation of their oath of office and their duty to their constituents. The harm here is not related in any way to the good or harm a bill might represent it is a simple fundamental case of responsibility and professionalism and ethical conduct.
These people by voting on a bill, are signing contracts in our name as our representatives. They are obligating us to do things that they do not even understand. Their actions are no different than if every house member threw a pair of game dice, or flipped a coin on each bill. What they are doing is totally incompetent and negligent behavior, that alone should be enough to toss them out on their ear.
I think this is the issue to stress to your congressional representatives. You should not berate them for voting on a specific bill you should berate them for being incompetent and failing to perform the legal and professional duty when voting on ANY legislation. Hold them accountable for knowing what is in each bill they vote for. If they have not read and studied a bill they have no frigging business even setting foot in the chambers to cast a vote. An ignorant uninformed vote is worse than no vote at all.
We need to change the “climate” in congress where we hold them accountable for basic principles of behavior like understanding what they are voting on, not turn every vote into an issue about the merits of a specific bill. Like the climate change debate we need to hold them to fundamental standards of professional conduct.
It is real simple if you vote on bills you have note read — regardless about what the bill is about, you are not fit to serve in the Congress and should be tossed out at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately I doubt there is a mechanism to attempt recall on every person that voted yes on any bill they have not read. If someone knows of a rule or procedure that at the constituent level, action to recall or impeach could be started, it would be nice to know about, so it could be mentioned in correspondence to our elected officials.
I think the mantra for the next election should be simply vote no on all incumbents!
Larry
‘The prospect of domination of the nation’s scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded.
Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientifictechnological elite.’ -Eisenhauer
scientifictechnological elite
The light of freedom fades and dims,
Our rights grow cold.
Barbarians plot their morbid whims,
The huns take hold.
Their cup with vile transgression brims,
Our suffrage sold.
Science saneness slumps and dims
We suffer now.
Sorcerous science soars and swims,
As warmers bow.
Unsacred science sings their hymns
To their cash cow.
The proud, who govern, have they won?
Is science now their hired gun?
Will they sink our kids in debt
As climate scams their lies abet?
Markey Waxman spun their web
The truths revealed they caused to ebb.
They lied about the heavy cost
Of opportunities now lost.
To fight the dread greenhouse effect
The taxman will the fees collect.
The sucking singularity
Will remove our liberty.
The trillions that will now be spent
Can never make a tiny dent
In climate, whether cold or hot.
But votes it will secure a lot.
The votes are there to spread the wealth
And then to snare the country’s health.
Shall we join the clean third world
With our socialistic flag unfurled?
Will the people benefit?
Who will science then permit
To go into earth’s paradise?
What will be the entry price?
If you’re alive will that suffice?
Or must you die to qualify?
The Senate now our only way
To stop this underhanded play.
And if we fail to stop it there
It then becomes a state affair.
If congress, senate and the state
Let stand this document to hate.
What sanctuary might we find
Where freedom’s values are enshrined?
And if this madness fills the globe
Shall we live the lows of Job?
And with persistence, sans dispair,
Can we, in time, this earth repair?
Life is short, the earth’s time long.
Work to right this monstrous wrong.
With guile and stealth we all must mend
This tattered, filthy wretched end
So that our offspring may ascend.
And If I swallow anything evil
Put your fingers down my throat
And if I shiver please give me a blanket
Keep me warm let me wear your coat
I’m watching Friday’s C-SPAN Washington Journal and there’s this Congressman, Jay Inslee.
OH MY GOD.. This guy makes me so freakin sick and angry. And he never shuts up.. he keeps going on and on and on and on..he’s so arrogant and full of himself.
And the Aussies take a dive…
Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim’rous beastie,
O, what a panic’s in thy breastie!
“Mr Turnbull indicated key concerns for the opposition are that there must be more support for coal mining in the ETS, and more capacity to reward the storing of carbon in soil and trees.”
Coalition ready to negotiate over ETS
bob paglee (07:54:42) shows brilliance in the words: “Cap for Pap“ …but what an indictment of our times that we have come so low it should even be written.
Another way to play rough is to start a recall petition for anyone who voted yes … honestly it always kills me that some states KNOW their representives are corrupt but keep putting them back in every election cycle. Beautiful thing though.. even the hard line greens are insulted by it:) 🙂 🙂 Did they actually expect any politician to keep their promises or actually solve any problem? Near as I can see, it wont reduce pollution of any kind, it wont help get us off of foreign oil dependency, and it will be a huge job and industry killer in the US, sending jobs to places that don’t even have EPA rules. Way to save the environment!!
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/press-center/releases2/greenpeace-opposes-waxman-mark
Just Want Results… (09:37:11) :
Can anyone imagine the suffering of the elderly during that?
It creates a quandry called Heat or Eat. Just put that in your search engine. Im not sure how he could have missed it. But don’t worry, Im sure there will be a pork package somewhere in there that will “solve” it. I am still wondering what the great deal New Jersey got? Anyone reading the thing find it yet?
Mike
It’s ‘Eisenhower’ ; )
John from the 50’s
The Congressional Democrats and Obama have declared war on America. It is high time that Americans declare political war on the group of leftists which includes the pathetic Republicrats! May they feel the wrath of the American people and all be voted out of office!!!
Just saw this at Gateway Pundit(sorry if already discussed)
“The bill, which now goes to the Senate, directs the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop and implement a national policy for residential and commercial buildings. The purpose of such a strategy – known as the Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) – would be to “facilitate” the retrofitting of existing buildings nationwide.”
The CBO costs of compliance might be just a tad underestimated.