A Seat On The Bridge Of The Titanic?

My geekdom has been completed with dsl. Now I can come home from work on a Friday evening, fire up C-SPAN, and watch the House of Representatives. Haha...I'm not sick, but I'm not well.

The Cap and Trade issue is hugely important. There will be other fights ahead even if the current bill passes the House this evening, but I think this is a historic moment. If it is stopped tonight, it will at least give Americans a chance to really absorb what this is all about. At 3:00 A.M. this morning, another 300 page amendment was added to a bill that had ballooned already just days ago. And yet Democrats are insisting on moving forward with just a few hours to comprehend the entire bill and debate it. The Democrat's process on this bill makes a mockery out of open democracy.

But with that, they will own it. They are deliberately introducing scarcity into the vast majority of energy production in this country. They aren't doing it directly, but by limiting the allowance of permits to emit the byproducts of energy production, primarily carbon dioxide. They will ramp down the amount permitted over time. Basic economics says that as you make something more scarce, it will become more expensive.

Looks like the vote is on.

Update: Passed. 219-212, with 8 Republicans voting for. Hall of Shame to come.

The Democrats have just gone all-in. They are now on a path that says they can dictate the use of energy in this country and what is worthy of that or not, and how much it costs. One can try to say that no, they are just dictating that non-carbon based energy should be used, but non-carbon based energy production is not even close to making up for the gap in what will be needed to grow the economy. The squeeze will be on, and it's going to hurt.

When your electricity bill jumps up, and you suffer electrical brownouts/blackouts, remember this moment.

When you decide not to take that weekend trip because you can't or don't want to spend the money on gasoline, remember this moment.

When you lose your job because the product you help make is now made overseas, remember this moment.

When you lose your job importing the products that are no longer affordable to make here, remember this moment.

When you can't afford the products that used to be made here, but are now only expensive imports, remember this moment.

When you lose your job because all of the others who used to buy your products or services can't afford them, remember this moment.

And as your children and grandchildren scrabble to make a living and only dream of the civilization and freedom you once enjoyed, remember this moment.

And what you did or did not do.

Update II: Serr8d has the Republican wing of the Hall of Shame.

Comments

[Kate P]

I can't stand it. It feels even worse, being in the middle of a career change and trying to find a job.

[Dave E.]

There's still the Senate, Kate, so hang in there. On the job search also. Are you at least seeing positions that you can apply for?

[ricki]

In the middle of one of the hotter Junes in recent years, this scares me: what if my workplace decides it can't run the a/c cooler than 82*? What if I can't afford to keep my house sufficiently cool? What if I have to stop paying in to my retirement fund in order to pay for things (like a/c) that will keep me from jumping off a bridge.

Also, I live some 700 miles from family. It breaks my heart to think that in the future I might only be able to afford to go see them once a year.

And yet, all the frakking news channels are running are MJ tributes...

[Nary L.Schroeder]

So how much did it cost us to buy the votes of the 9 Republican Congressmen who
voted for Cap & Trade and what will they give our Senators to get this through.

I was just reading an article that Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02), co-chair of the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus, just got 3.1 Million for wildlife refuges in South Jersey, what was being given to the other 8. Read the following:


For Immediate Release:
June 26, 2009 CONTACT: Jason Galanes
(202) 225-6572

House Approves $3.1 Million for National Wildlife Refuges

in South Jersey

Edwin B Forsythe, Cape May National Wildlife Refuges to share

federal funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02), co-chair of the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus, has secured $2 million for the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and $1.1 million for the Edwin B. Forsythe NWR for further land acquisition at each respective location. The funding was contained in H.R. 2996, the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior-Environment Appropriations Act. It was approved by the House 254 to 173.

“ Southern New Jersey has long placed significant value on preserving and protecting our open spaces, and I continue to strongly support those efforts particularly at our wildlife refuges,” said LoBiondo. “This substantial investment will assist ongoing efforts to acquire additional land in both Cape May and Atlantic Counties , which will enhance the area for both local residents and visitors while protecting the habitats of the native wildlife.”

“Land acquisition funding for Cape May NWR is one of the most important components in ensuring the future protection of valuable wildlife and wildlife habitat within the Cape May Peninsula ,” said Howard Schlegel, Wildlife Refuge Manager at the Cape May NWR. “The addition of wildlife habitat to the Cape May NWR will directly support the refuge's purposes as an inviolate sanctuary for migratory birds, protection of fish and wildlife resources, and the conservation of wetlands for the benefit of present and future Americans. Congressman LoBiondo should be applauded by all Americans for his stalwart support of the Cape May NWR and the National Wildlife Refuge System.”

Earlier this year, LoBiondo secured $1.5 million for the Supawna NWR in Salem County as part of the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The 80 acres, known as the Sinnickson Tract, to be acquired with the federal funding are located in Pennsville. The funding was announced in February.

LoBiondo has secured $18.3 million for the expansion and improvement of South Jersey ’s three refuges since FY 1998.

# # #

This was right before he gave the following press release:

For Immediate Release:
June 26, 2009 CONTACT: Jason Galanes
(202) 225-6572

LoBiondo Votes for Energy Independence

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) today voted in favor of H.R. 2454, the “American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009” – comprehensive legislation that seeks to make the United States energy independent by focusing the nation’s energy policy toward clean, renewable sources such as wind, solar and nuclear.

“For South Jersey residents who lived through the energy crisis of the 1970s, the nation witnessed the rationing of gas, stations sold-out of fuel, and our country’s absolute reliance on foreign nations to save us from our increasing consumption. Jobs were lost. The economy sank further into recession. And the nation did not take action.

“Then, in the 1990s, there was a bitter debate over increasing fuel efficiency standards in automobiles, yet minimal action was taken despite the technological capabilities to go further. I have long said that if Congress had passed higher standards in the 1990s – standards I supported - then our consumption and annual fuel costs now would be half. However, the oil corporations and automobile makers were against such standards and now lose billions of dollars to foreign competitors who were forward-thinking, developed fuel efficient technologies and sell hybrid vehicles that get 40 to 50 miles per gallon.

“The ‘American Clean Energy and Security Act’ is the opportunity to break the cycle of inaction and finally move our nation towards real energy independence.

“This is by no means a perfect bill but, for New Jersey businesses and families, many of the federal standards that will be created are mirroring state standards long on the books. For the past decade, New Jersey has been forward-looking in its energy policy and sought to establish diverse, renewable alternative sources of energy to meet the state’s needs. From the development of biofuels based on crop waste and planning for additional nuclear reactors, to building small and large-scale wind farms and countless solar panel projects, individuals and municipalities recognized opportunities and took action.

“In the process, new local businesses were founded and jobs were created in the emerging ‘green industry’ here in New Jersey . What must happen next is the growth of domestic manufacturing of the materials needed for alternative energy production, such as solar cells, wind turbines and environmentally-friendly buildings. This legislation rightly focuses on growing that manufacturing base, creating green jobs and finally establishing our energy independence. The positive effects will be felt nationally and here in South Jersey . These are objectives I have long believed and advocated for as part of a national energy policy.

“The economic crisis has affected every resident and every small business in South Jersey . Families and employers are making difficult decisions each day and they are looking to Congress for assistance and leadership. In working through this comprehensive bill, I heard from South Jersey business owners, manufacturers and energy producers, consumer and environmental groups and local residents about the real impact specific provisions of the bill would have. I also reviewed emails and phone opinions that came into my offices, which numbered in the hundreds.

“Today’s vote was by no means an easy vote. As the legislation continues to work through the Senate and be presented to Congress for final consideration, I will re-evaluate any changes that are made to ensure our state’s interests, as well as the interests of South Jersey businesses and families, are promoted and protected.”

# # #

We certainly cannot believe that any of the democats who voted against this bill would not have voted for it is there wasn't a republican voting for it in their place or their vote wasn't needed. It seems clear to me that 44 democarats just got a pass from their leaders, only because their jobs were on the line in the next election and they needed to save their seats. Who in the Senate will go to the other side because they get something from Democats for their state. I don't trust anyone anymore.