On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve HR 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, by a 219 to 212 margin. That’s only seven votes.
Sadly, one of the aye votes was cast by our U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (Democrat from the Rio Grande Valley), who has an office in Beeville.
A total of 211 Democrats and only eight Republicans voted for this bill, yet 44 Democrats voted against it.
According to the Washington Post, among Texas congressmen, only nine voted for the measure and 23 voted against it. So, most of them remembered where they were from and who they represent.
Sponsored by Rep. Henry Waxman, a liberal Democrat from California, the bill supposedly would create clean energy jobs, reduce global warming pollution and transition this country away from fossil fuels to a clean energy economy. It does so in name only.
That’s BS. This is nothing more than Congress imposing an additional tax – an energy production and transportation tax – that we all will be forced to pay for our fuel, for our groceries, for everything. Remember how all prices soared when gasoline hit $4 a gallon last year? Get ready for more.
Even Rep. Solomon Ortiz of Corpus Christi (who helped torpedo NAS Chase Field) had enough sense to vote against this bad bill. If only Hinojosa had the wisdom of Solomon...
Instead, our congressman demonstrated that he has no sympathy for the beleaguered farmer or rancher.
He showed his disdain for the oil and gas industry.
He backhanded teachers, principals and schoolchildren, as most schools in Texas derive the majority of their tax base from the petroleum industry, refineries, manufacturing and construction.
In addition, Hinojosa hurt everyone who owns and has to fill up a motor vehicle, as gasoline prices now will be forced to rise considerably as is the intent of this bill.
He could care less about those who own homes or rent apartments that require AC or heat, and must pay more now to turn on light bulbs, TVs or computers.
In fact, depending on which group’s budget figures you read, because of this bill, every household in America will be forced to pay an additional $120 to $1,200 plus a year. That will impact the working poor and middle class a lot harder than the rich.
Thanks, Rubén. We needed that in this down economy.
Hinojosa, Al Gore, Nancy Pelosi and the House Democratic leadership may tout this is a victory for a “greener” America, but we will view this as a “black day” for a free economy and the principles that once made this a great and prosperous nation.
Our only hope now is that the U.S. Senate will see the light and pull the plug on this “cap and tax” scam based on pseudo-science and a socialist agenda.
Shame on you, Rep. Hinojosa. Your South Texas constituents should remember that you turned your back on the Lone Star State and saddled us with unnecessary expense when we next go to the polls.
The editorial in question isn't intent on defending oil and gas, but in pointing out how punitive it is for Washington to foist a hidden energy tax that will raise the price of everything on the poor and working class in order to force us into smaller cars, onto bicycles and foot. The science of global warming is not settled despite Al Gore's declarations. There is great debate among actual scientists as to whether carbon dioxide actually plays a part. For a recent example, visit: http://climatedepot.com/a/1742/Climatologist-slams-RealClimateorg-for-erroneously-communicating-the-reality-of-the-how-climate-system-is-actually-behaving--Rebuts-Myths-On-Sea-Level-Oceans-and-Arctic-Ice.
Can we agree that we compete in a global marketplace? So American widgets must compete against Chinese and Indian widgets. Now, if we add an energy tax to the manufacture of American widgets and/or force them to be built with inefficient energy sources, and China and India do not, which widget has the competitive price advantage?
Global warming advocates say we cannot take the chance that it's not real. Yet in the 1970s, some scientists were convinced we were entering a mini-ice age. It's a good thing we didn't redesign our economy around that particular piece of science. The economics of cap and tax, however, are most assured, as has already been demonstrated elsewhere while accomplishing nothing of its promised reduction of carbon output.
Global temperatures have actually dropped in the past 10 years. Yes, we're having a hot summer in Texas. The previous two summers were remarkably mild, but basing global warming arguments on local weather is short-sighted. We are in a drought at the moment. Old-timers will tell you we had brutal drought conditions in the 30s and 50s as well. We didn't have global warming to blame back then.
New green energy is more than welcome, but if it cannot support itself in the marketplace without manipulation, it can only damage the entire economy. Washington can manipulate the markets for short periods – such as by encouraging Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae mortgages for subprime borrowers – but the markets will correct themselves. And that can be painful for all. It's only Washington's arrogance that fails to recognize this. Our current plight stems from the "unintended consequences" of our own legislation.
Now the oil and gas industry is threatened. Alternative fuels, solar power, wind energy, etc. Big Oil sees its grip on the energy market diminishing and hides behind a façade of workforce compassion. It isn’t worried about job loss or how the working class will survive. What oil and gas really cares about is the bottom line. Like any business, the advent of alternative goods and services poses a viable threat. The demand for their product is diminishing and alternative goods are on their way. It wants the general public to believe that it does care; however increasing gas prices is a blatant disregard for the consumer’s pocketbook. Just like any monopoly, it’s a fleeting attempt to pull every dollar it can before it is no longer to dictate our nation’s energy. It’s disheartening to see how economically crippling greed can be.
As far as agriculture goes for farmers and ranchers to oppose a pro-environment concept is rather self-defeating. The evidence is undeniable. Drought has become a yearly event here in Texas and the current course is taking us towards longer and hotter summers. It sure isn’t because we’re getting closer to the sun. Global warming has been increasing rapidly over the past decade; largely in part by the emissions of gas powered vehicles and refineries; how ironic. Our state is at a crossroads where the integrity of consumption and production must consider the longevity and conservation of our resources. If the climate continues to deteriorate, it’ll be too hot to sustain crops and other agricultural products, which is just basic science. Therefore, if farmers want to continue to carve a living out of agriculture here in Texas, embracing more environmentally proactive ideals is imperative.
Throughout history, the one thing that the working class has show is how to adapt. People will re-train, they will educate and they will find new opportunities in these emerging technologies. They always have. Fear is expected in a time of change and uncertainty; however belief in our ability to progress as people and a civilization will lead us to greater things. The alternative of staying the current course only takes us further down the destructive path we’ve been on for years now.