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June 04, 2009
Democrats' National Energy Tax Will Devastate Rurial American and Farmers
Democrats' National Energy Tax ( Cap & Trade) Will Devastate Rurial American, Family Farmers
REPUBLICAN LEADER PRESS OFFICE
REP. JOHN BOEHNER (R-OH
Washington, Jun 3
The Democrats’ national energy tax – to be paid by anyone who drives a car, buys an American-made product, or has the audacity to flip on a light switch – would disproportionately target rural America by increasing the energy bills for every American family, hurting family farmers, and threatening small businesses.
The legislation recently passed by the Energy & Commerce Committee and making its way to the House floor – often called “cap-and-trade” by its supporters – purports to combat global warming by setting strict limits on carbon emissions. To do so, it would impose enormous taxes and restrictions on energy use, which would place an especially heavy burden on rural America and family farmers. And that isn’t sitting well with Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee:
- “Peterson also has been an outspoken critic of the entire measure; he and other farm-state lawmakers say it tilts too heavily in favor of urban interests instead of rural ones.” (“For climate change bill, hard part starts now,” San Francisco Chronicle, May 31, 2009)
- “If they don’t want to change it, then they’ll have to find the votes some other place,” Peterson said. “In my district, a ‘no’ vote would be a good vote.” (“Energy and Commerce ‘emissaries’ a key to House floor success for climate plan,” The New York Times, May 22, 2009)
- “Peterson earlier this week met with the 26 Democrats on his panel and emerged with a ‘virtually unanimous’ agreement that his committee members would stand with him in opposition to a climate change bill that didn’t adequately address the concerns of the agriculture industry, according to one of those Democrats. ‘We’ve thrown a pitchfork in the sand,’ the Democrat said.” (“Cap-and-trade showdown,” The Hill, May 20, 2009)
Indeed, rural Americans will be hit the hardest by a national energy tax because agriculture is so energy-intensive.
On average, 65 percent of farmers’ costs are dedicated to fuel, electricity, fertilizer, and chemicals – meaning even a small increase in operating costs could devastate countless family farmers. Moreover, Americans in rural areas travel farther for routine errands – 25 percent more miles than urban households according to the most recent federal highway data – and rural households spend 58 percent more on fuel as a percentage of their income than urban residents.
As a result, higher gasoline prices and other rising energy costs will force agricultural producers to pay more for seed, equipment, machinery, steel, and other supplies needed to operate their farms.
The “cap and trade” proposal would cost families about $3,100 per year, making it clear why rural America – and all of America – has so much at stake as Democrats attempt to force this national energy tax through Congress. Led by Reps. Frank Lucas (R-OK), Sam Graves (R-MO), and Doc Hastings (R-WA), the House GOP’s Rural America Solutions Group is working with Rep. Pence’s (R-IN) American Energy Solutions Group to highlight the consequences on the Democrats’ plan and an “all of the above” strategy to clean up the environment, create jobs in rural America and across the country, and lower energy prices.
Cornerstones of the strategy include:
- Increasing environmentally-safe energy production on remote lands and far off our shores;
- Promoting the use of alternative fuels that will reduce carbon emissions, such as nuclear, clean-coal, and renewable energy technologies; and
- Encouraging increased efficiencies and cutting edge technologies to maximize America’s energy potential.
As the national energy tax makes its way to the House floor, the questions facing Democrats who represent rural districts are straightforward. Do they stand with their Party leaders who want to saddle Americans with a new tax that will devastate family farms and small businesses? Or do they stand with Chairman Peterson and House Republicans who want to protect rural Americans – and all Americans – from this harmful national energy tax?
Wild Thing's comment..........
How does a person live with themselves when they know what they are doing will destroy so many lives and livelhood of so many families. I know, they just don't care. Obama could care less.
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....Thank you Mark for sending this to me.
Mark
3rd Mar.Div. 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment
1/9 Marines aka The Walking Dead
VN 66-67
Posted by Wild Thing at June 4, 2009 06:46 AM
Comments
They either don't care about how many lives they ruin or they are simply too stupid to recognize the damage it will do.
Posted by: Lynn at June 4, 2009 08:24 AM
The Cap and Trade bill will cost every American and our economy enormously. It will be a law that will grow with further restrictions and costs as politicians add pet projects to it.
The corn farmers were sure happy with the ethonol laws. Now they pay the price as other players get their personal projects enacted into law.
Posted by: TomR at June 4, 2009 10:36 AM
Wild thing should ask Chris Mathews about living with themselves. His boss, Tip O'Neil and he turned the full power of the Federal Government to stripping resources out of the Mid-west and handing them to the coasts, starting about 1978. People also know about the oil drilling embargo that they instituted, savings and Loan reforms that blew up durning Bush 41 and the Community Reinvestmennt Act that just blew up and cost the US countless trilions.
It was not until about 1985 before the Democratic depression finally ended. It ended then only because the IRAs and 401Ks made the Midwest self financing.
He destroyed the livelihoods of about five million Americans.
Posted by: Avitar at June 4, 2009 01:56 PM
On average Electric bill will go up and additional $150 dollars per month. Meaning everything else will go up as everybody will be paying for the increases.
The thing of it is it doesn't have to be this way, this is a made up hoax the democrats are using to put more money into the government's empty bucket. The government took over the Mustang Ranch, and couldn't make a profit selling booze and hookers, how does anyone think
they can make cars and service them. All these useless dumb bastards know is how to raise taxes and spend money and now to follow JUNK Science.
Posted by: Mark at June 4, 2009 04:47 PM
