|
|
Published May 16, 2009 09:04 am - The rhetoric from the left is Chicken Little’s falling sky, and Costner’s “Waterworld” was not a flop but rather prophecy on film. The rhetoric from the right is that living as an ostrich is not as uncomfortable as it appears and we need do nothing. The reality (and truth) lies somewhere in the middle.
Emissions policy up for debate: Globe blogger Geoff Caldwell offers his opinion
Editor’s note: Three Joplin Globe bloggers weigh in with their viewpoints. For more from these bloggers and others, log on to www.joplinglobe.com.
Focus should be on energy independence
The rhetoric from the left is Chicken Little’s falling sky, and Costner’s “Waterworld” was not a flop but rather prophecy on film. The rhetoric from the right is that living as an ostrich is not as uncomfortable as it appears and we need do nothing. The reality (and truth) lies somewhere in the middle.
While we all think our own electric bills are most certainly “too high,” the fact is that Missouri has the fourth lowest electric rates in the nation. But we achieve that role by generating around 80 percent of it with coal. And burning that coal creates tons of politically charged carbon dioxide.
With left-aligned congressmen Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Maine) now in charge of crafting energy legislation, the economic impact could be catastrophic not just to Missouri, but the nation as a whole. If the current politics prevail, there is but only one thing certain to come for all of us: significantly higher electric rates.
Cap and trade does nothing to solve the larger problems. It merely penalizes utilities, industry and coal states through a back door attempt to transfer wealth from the existing energy infrastructure to a new, politically engineered “green” energy sector. (Surely the fact that hedge funds associated with Al Gore, George Soros, Maurice Strong and other “visionaries” are heavily invested in carbon capping and “green” energy has nothing to do with Waxman/Markey’s legislation. Noooooo, surely not.)
While some will cheer that they finally forced the evil, imperialistic United States to pay for her energy “sins,” it will do nothing about the global problem. China, India and other developing countries will continue to see their economies grow at the expense of our new “politically corrected” economy. It will do nothing to make alternative energy sources sustainable and economically viable.
It will, however, do everything to put the United States at a disadvantage in the world marketplace and it will do it on the backs of tens of millions of average Americans already struggling with energy costs.
Rather than shooting us out of the cap-and-trade cannon with only hope that we land safely across the river, Waxman and Markey should instead be focused on building a viable and stable bridge to those far banks of energy independence.
I want that bridge to be a six-lane architectural beauty that we all cross together as a nation, not the current one-lane toll bridge being designed by a few politically connected profiteers.
I am neither a chicken nor an ostrich, and I can only hope that both realize they will never fly alone. And, that they realize it before before the eagle soars no more.
Geoff Caldwell lives in Joplin. His blog, “Caldwell’s Corner,” addresses national, state and local issues
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
|
|
1993 CHEVROLET LONG BED
runs good, 4.3 V6, new transmission, needs body parts, $400. (417)438-2508...>MORE
2002 KIA OPTIMA EX
4 door, sharp, loaded, leather, CD, sunroof, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE
1997 OLDSMOBILE 88
runs good, $1900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
HONDA 2001 CIVIC EX
HONDA, 2001 Civic EX, 4 door, automatic, 94,000 miles, $5800; 1998 Accord, 4 door, $4200; 1999 Honda Prelude, automatic...>MORE
2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
4 door, luxury leather trim, loaded, CD, sunroof, beautiful rig, extra nice, $4500. 1317 Schifferdecker...>MORE
HONDA, 2007 FIT SPORT,
customized interior package, automatic, air, AM/FM/CD, cruise, great mpg, low miles, excellent condition, $11,800. (417)...>MORE
1989 CHEVROLET STEPSIDE
350, V8, custom flames, runs great, $2500. 417-208-6717...>MORE
1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, sharp, loaded, automatic, air, CD, extra nice, $2600. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
See all ads |
|
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
See all ads |
|
NEW IN BOX
New in box, Lucchese cowboy boots, black, size 9D, $200. (620)231-9256...>MORE
REWARD $50,000 REWARD
Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged ...>MORE
POODLE, FULL BLOODED
POODLE, full blooded, $75 or best offer. (417)385-8710 after 4:30 p.m....>MORE
YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE
DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE
(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!
6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch...>MORE
5TH WHEEL
5TH WHEEL, 2004 Prowler Regal, 26’, 2 slides, loaded, nice. (620)674-2127....>MORE
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE
ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|