During the campaign, President Obama said plans similar to the Waxman-Markey energy tax bill would cause electricity rates to “necessarily skyrocket” and costs will be “passed on to consumers.” Creating new taxes that kill jobs is never a good idea and it’s even worse during a recession. Moreover, a dramatic increase in utility bills would disproportionately hurt the poor, disadvantaged and those who have lost their job.
Throughout this debate, some Democrats have asserted that the cap and trade energy tax scheme will not make much of a difference on the average family’s utility bills. However, a study conducted for the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission estimates Missouri rates could increase as much as 40 percent by 2015 due to these policies.
That’s why I offered an amendment to reverse this bill once your electricity rates go up 10 percent. Democrats who support the energy tax balked. “That won’t happen,” they claimed. My amendment wasn’t needed, they argued. It seemed logical if they really believed that the costs of this tax will not be passed on to consumers then why not support my amendment as an emergency exit for American families.
I believe actions speak louder than words. It speaks volumes that the same officials who claim energy costs will not increase by more than 10 percent due to this tax refused to support my emergency exit amendment.
Again to protect consumers, I offered the same amendment today and increased the number to 20 percent, believing surely this was a reasonable figure. Every Democrat opposed this bill.
Some have argued falsely that Republicans are simply saying “no” to Democrat ideas without offering any solutions of their own. This is not the case. I for one have offered many ideas and possible solutions to help improve America’s energy security. I support an “all of the above” approach including more production, more alternatives and more conservation. What I do not support is a backdoor energy tax on American families.
After defeating the two amendments I offered, supporters of the energy tax went on to vote en bloc to defending the energy tax even after your electricity rates double. It is clear the national Democrats’ big government tax and spend era has reached a new level – and, unfortunately, if we cannot stop them, every American is going to pay.
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Dan Spencer
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
If we cannot stop them, every American is going to pay (for awhile)
izoneguy (Diary) Thursday, May 21st at 5:06PM EST (link)The straw that broke the donkey’s back???
This will be it. Most Americans have been complacent to the socialist tendencies of the democrats. Just wait until the democrats expect even the democratic voters to pay up.
More democrats will loose their jobs over this ONE issue than anything else the democrats have done in 30 years. You can take that to the bank.
The point cannot be made often enough: Modern liberalism, as embodied in the Obama presidency, is the defender of the status quo. And the status quo is a road to economic ruin. Political forces cannot redistribute the wealth that the economic system does not produce.
If I were an employer
DerKrieger (Diary) Thursday, May 21st at 8:11PM EST (link)…I would seek to lay off Obama voters before anyone else. In my opinion they have only themselves to blame. There must be a way to make those responsible for this mess pay while limiting the damage to the rest of us.
“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” – Thomas Jefferson
“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” – James Madison
Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience.” — John Locke, 1690
Let us be ALL about not just limiting the damage but mainly SAVING America
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Thursday, May 21st at 8:14PM EST (link)before we ever even contemplate getting even with the weak Obama voters.
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
When are you guys going to catch a clue?
Tbone (Diary) Thursday, May 21st at 6:20PM EST (link)“I offered the same amendment today and increased the number to 20 percent, believing surely this was a reasonable figure. Every Democrat opposed this bill.”
Thank you for wasting time, paper and energy. Why don’t you quit playing inside the beltway politics and start talking to the American people?
“and, unfortunately, if we cannot stop them, every American is going to pay.”
You can’t stop them because you were JUST AS BAD AS THEM and got your butts whipped right out of the majority. Republicans should be able to easily retake Congress if you would start acting like conservatives, get some real leaders with fire in their guts instead of re-election on their minds and get rid of the concept of governing from the middle.
In short Sir, your efforts are pathetic.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Agree
Thomas_Hauber Thursday, May 21st at 6:29PM EST (link)Tbone I think you are correct.
Frankly the republicans in congress should look Cheney for the perfect example of what they need to do.
Unabashedly speak conservative!
Nail on the head
izoneguy (Diary) Thursday, May 21st at 6:33PM EST (link)Only about 25% of Americans understand what Cap & Trade is…..
The Republicans must speak out to the American people.
Only pressure from Americans directly to their Congress people will make a difference.
The democrats don’t have to listen to the Republicans – remember “they won”.
The point cannot be made often enough: Modern liberalism, as embodied in the Obama presidency, is the defender of the status quo. And the status quo is a road to economic ruin. Political forces cannot redistribute the wealth that the economic system does not produce.
I think this
gazill Friday, May 22nd at 1:43PM EST (link)is where conservatives need to also push Steele to start highlighting precisely what is going on in a more public fashion, wherever he can get face time. This is a bill that, as you state, only a small percentage actually understand the ramifications. This is not R vs D; this is government vs, population/corporations/tradition/liberty, take your pick. Steele came out strong highlighting Obama’s misdeeds toward the Constitution; he needs, as purported voice of the Party, to keep bringing the issue fight to the public (again, as you stated).
As a Californian, I have no representation (in my district). Believe me, I have tried. I get no recourse from Boxer, Feinstein, Miller, up to now Tauscher. Let’s face it, in this state, they just do not care. My representation now is Steele.
Obama’s America-the paucity of hope
I disagree
DerKrieger (Diary) Thursday, May 21st at 8:16PM EST (link)I don’t think his amendment was a waste of time or effort because it served the purpose of highlighting the fact that the Democrats simply don’t care what the impact of their bill is on the American people, they’re going to ram it down our throats.
I will concede however, that if they don’t make a big deal out of the failure of this amendment, as well as C&T itself then they will have failed.
But with the MSM 100% in the pocket of the Dems and effectively blocking widespread dissemination about this and other disastrous bills it’s admittedly hard to get the message to the average American voter. Unfortunately most probably won’t find out about it until they get their first C&T electric bill.
Do article posters come back and read the comments to their posts? Hello Congressman Blunt????
“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” – Thomas Jefferson
“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” – James Madison
Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience.” — John Locke, 1690
Blunt didn't write this, some junior press lackey
Tbone (Diary) Friday, May 22nd at 12:51AM EST (link)who doesn’t know straight up wrote this. I doubt that Blunt has ever actually logged into Redstate.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Take my word for it, he reads it.
Bill S (Diary) Friday, May 22nd at 9:49AM EST (link)Don’t know about this piece, but whether or not he physically typed in the words, I’m confident it reflects his position.
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
Yes,we read the comments
Congressman Roy Blunt (Diary) Friday, May 22nd at 9:23AM EST (link)Just got tied up in committee.
As many point out, I didn’t mention that am opposed to this bill. I offered my initial amendment to sunset it when your electric rates increase by 10% so American families had an “emergency exit” from this deeply flawed legislation. After Democrats voted that amendment down, I offered another one to show how complacent Democrats have gotten when it comes to raising taxes during a recession.
Again, I was against this bill and voted that way. Even if my amendments had passed, I would have still voted against the bill but would have at least known there was some degree of protection for hard-working families.
http://republicanwhip.house.gov/
Thank you Congressman
izoneguy (Diary) Friday, May 22nd at 9:27AM EST (link)So, if Cap & Trade passes – how hard will the Republicans fight to get it overturned? How loud will they speak to the American people about what a ripoff this is? I think people across the country – Republicans & Democrats will finally say enough. YOU have to show WHO voted for this and their connections to AL Gore and The Climate Change Mafia.
The point cannot be made often enough: Modern liberalism, as embodied in the Obama presidency, is the defender of the status quo. And the status quo is a road to economic ruin. Political forces cannot redistribute the wealth that the economic system does not produce.
The one thing McCain said that I liked during his campaign was that he'd
realityunwound (Diary) Friday, May 22nd at 2:45PM EST (link)make ear marker’s famous. That’s the principle that needs to be applied here. Every person on that committee and every Congressman on the right side of the aisle needs to start giving names and finding ways to get the word out. I agree that people don’t know what the implications of this are, but they will when their rates skyrocket.
Thank you for taking action on this. Please keep it up, but please don’t stop there. Check in here often, do whatever you can to let us know what’s going on so we can get the word out.
http://www.realityunwound.com
Cap & Trade Info
izoneguy (Diary) Thursday, May 21st at 6:44PM EST (link)The Critical Flaw In Cap-And-Trade
http://www.thebigmoney.com/blogs/shifting-gears/2009/05/19/critical-flaw-cap-and-trade
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123655590609066021.html
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/capital-commerce/2009/03/03/what-obamas-cap-and-trade-plan-will-cost-you.html
http://www.marshall.org/pdf/materials/636.pdf
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0716/p09s02-coop.html
The point cannot be made often enough: Modern liberalism, as embodied in the Obama presidency, is the defender of the status quo. And the status quo is a road to economic ruin. Political forces cannot redistribute the wealth that the economic system does not produce.
Some businesses see nothing but profits in the green movement.
izoneguy (Diary) Thursday, May 21st at 9:42PM EST (link)The Climate-Industrial Complex
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124286145192740987.html#mod=rss_opinion_main
The partnership among self-interested businesses, grandstanding politicians and alarmist campaigners truly is an unholy alliance. The climate-industrial complex does not promote discussion on how to overcome this challenge in a way that will be best for everybody. We should not be surprised or impressed that those who stand to make a profit are among the loudest calling for politicians to act. Spending a fortune on global carbon regulations will benefit a few, but dearly cost everybody else.
The point cannot be made often enough: Modern liberalism, as embodied in the Obama presidency, is the defender of the status quo. And the status quo is a road to economic ruin. Political forces cannot redistribute the wealth that the economic system does not produce.
Rep. Blunt, this is your strategy???
ColdWarrior (Diary) Thursday, May 21st at 6:45PM EST (link)Do you have a strategy for stopping Pres. Obama’s and the Democrat Party’s rush to socialism? If so, what is it?
I see nothing coming out your office, your mouth, or the mouths of Michael Steele, Sen. McConnell or Sen. Kyl, the ostensible “leaders,” of our Party, calling out Barack Obama on his lies. (I’m a lowly Republican Party precinct committeeman.)
Do you need a template? Watch a few of European Parliament Member Daniel Hannan’s videos, especially the one posted on DrudgeReport.com and YouTube in which he excoriated British Prime Minister Brown’s policies. And European Union President Mirek Topolanek, the Czech Prime Minister, called Obama’s plans to have the U.S. spend its way out of recession as “a road to hell.” Why can’t you, Steele, McConnell and Kyl DO THIS and LEAD the opposition? Obama speaks in Orwellian double-speak. He lies. Call him a liar when he lies. He said no earmarks. He lied. He said all bills would be subject to at least five days of review. He lied. He calls taxes “investments.” He refers to budget cuts that do not exist. He calls welfare payments tax cuts. What is so hard about this?
Get out of the House and get in front of the cameras and on the airwaves and lead an opposition to Obama and socialist minions.
Oh, and by the way, in the Omnibus 2009 Budget you individually spent $6,845,250 on 17 earmarks and sponsored with others over $9 M. Real leadership.
Thank you.
In 2012, will YOU become a “voting member” of the Republican Party in your precinct?
Where it all started. Twitter @kaltkrieger
Unified Patriots.
Learn how to GOTV at The Concord Project and at Procinct and
Nice post
DerKrieger (Diary) Thursday, May 21st at 8:18PM EST (link)Agree 100%
“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” – Thomas Jefferson
“I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” – James Madison
Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience.” — John Locke, 1690
Do you have an issue with this particular topic?
Bill S (Diary) Thursday, May 21st at 9:06PM EST (link)or are you just venting your spleen in general?
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins