Wow! Isn’t this a grand day when lefties and the rightwing can get together to defeat a bill? Doesn’t it make you want to join hands and sing “Kumbaya?” Of course we want it defeated for entirely different reasons but what the heck! Greenpeace doesn’t think the bill goes far enough in destroying our economy:
“Since the Waxman-Markey bill left the Energy and Commerce committee, yet another fleet of industry lobbysists has weakened the bill even more, and further widened the gap between what Waxman-Markey does and what science demands.
[...]
“As it comes to the floor, the Waxman-Markey bill sets emission reduction targets far lower than science demands, then undermines even those targets with massive offsets. The giveaways and preferences in the bill will actually spur a new generation of nuclear and coal-fired power plants to the detriment of real energy solutions. To support such a bill is to abandon the real leadership that is called for at this pivotal moment in history. We simply no longer have the time for legislation this weak.
“With many others in the environmental, faith and consumer rights communities, Greenpeace has expressed tremendous concern about the role of offsets in this legislation. Unless strictly controlled, the abuse of offsets could prevent real emission reductions for more than a decade. The decision to move authority over offsets from EPA to the Department of Agriculture further reduces the likelihood that such controls will be maintained and increases the likelihood they will undermine real reductions.
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posted June 26, 2009 at 4:01 pm
So, how do we deal with this serious pollution threat if not with cap-and-trade? Do you recommend ever increasing carbon taxes until the emissions have been brought under control?
posted June 26, 2009 at 8:01 pm
freelunch, you care more about the enviroment than what it is actually going to do for people?? You clearly have no concept of what just happened today. Our nation is now in deep trouble and our economy, as bad as it was this morning, now it may be permanately messed up for generations to come. All because of the Democrats and weak Republicans (including Barack Obama) in Congress.
posted June 27, 2009 at 9:45 am
For all opponents of this bill, I simply fail to comprehend the thought process. What exactly are these severe economic repercussions that republicans keep throwing out there? Already the US has generated new green technology jobs, and that is the future. Rather than clinging to the broken system we have now which will continue to make our economic situation worse as fossil fuel reserves dry up and destroy our environment let’s try moving forward for once. Of course the climate bill isn’t perfect, but it’s a start which is what we need. Naysayers like Greenpeace are too idealistic in their hopes. They simply don’t live in the real world.
This bill is the first bill passed in any US legislative chamber seeking to curb our destruction of the environment. It will increase our standing around the world as people see us leading again on an issue of great importance rather than just selfishly seeking our best short-term interests. The government has looked into offsetting energy cost for lower and middle income homes for the immediate future while the technology is perfected, and cap and trade will work for businesses more than a simple carbon tax, so it’s really the best compromise we have.
posted June 27, 2009 at 11:12 am
Emily Greene -
Don’t believe the false claims of organizations like the Heritage Foundation who have a not-at-all hidden agenda.
posted June 27, 2009 at 11:41 am
We already use Cap & Trade for other emissions such as Sulfur. What’s the matter Michele? Are you feeling badly for the terrorists because we are working toward stopping our dependence on their oil?
I guess G. Bush will lose some money now – whaaaa !!! Why do you continue to write a column? No one agrees with you.
posted June 27, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Emily Greene, if we just drop the environmental issue then there eventually won’t be any people TO suffer. I’d certainly love that since it is PEOPLE, Emily, PEOPLE got the planet into the mess it’s in as well as the economy, etc. Honey it’s weak Dems and most Repubs. You got it all twisted around. Repeat: Republicans love money and Jesus!
posted June 28, 2009 at 12:54 am
Michelle, you understand nothing of the economy, the ecology, or Jesus. If you did not associate with similar idiots in your church, no one would ever read your blog except by accident, as did I.