Cap and trade furor

How much global warming will be prevented by the cap and trade bill? Let’s compare the effects of the Waxman-Markey bill to the United Nations’ business-as-usual emissions scenario in its big 2007 climate change compendium. If the U.S. only adopts Waxman-Markey, global warming would be reduced by a grand total of 0.2 degrees by 2100.

This is too small even to detect because global temperatures bounce around by about this amount yearly. For those who like to think more near-term, the amount of warming prevented by 2050 would be .07 of a degree.

In short, we don’t do anything measurable to reduce global warming, we alienate some of our biggest trade partners, we risk a trade war, and Americans are allowed to emit the same carbon volumes as the average citizen in 1867. Stupidity is rampant in Washington.

Charlie Deputy

Woodway

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President Obama has broken yet another promise: no taxes on 95 percent of Americans. And yet, the House passed the cap and trade tax bill this Friday. Democrats were wheeling and dealing, buying votes with pork in spite of House phone lines being inundated with calls opposed to this bill.

This bill will affect every commodity we use, from gasoline to food. This is a huge tax that covers up just how badly Obama has screwed up things by doling out money to the big Democratic campaign contributors. It allows them to maintain lavish lifestyles at the expense of the poor and middle class.

This bill has yet to pass the Senate. We have one final chance to fight for our lives. We need to make their lives pure hell to the point they will not sell us out.

Butch Miller

Robinson

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Last Friday Congress took a historic step toward a clean energy economy by passing the American Clean Energy and Security Act (HR 2454). Unfortunately, U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, voted against this critical step forward.

While the dramatic shift we need in energy policy and the dire scientific predictions regarding global warming demand we do much more, the first step is always hardest. Congress should be applauded for taking it. 

The bill now moves to the Senate. We urge Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn to strengthen and pass the bill to deliver on the promise that clean energy holds to recharge our economy, put millions of Americans back to work, and protect future generations from global warming.

McCall Johnson

Environment Texas

Austin

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On behalf of the Texas Association of Business, I want to applaud Rep. Edwards for putting principle above politics and voting against cap and trade energy legislation.

As the effects of the global economic downturn intensify in the lives of Texans, this bill will cause the price of utilities and gasoline to skyrocket for the families, small-business owners and farmers who are most in need.

While the bill passed, Edwards demonstrated grace under pressure by voting against this disastrous energy tax.

Bill Hammond

President, Texas Association of Business

Austin