The Carbon Straw That Broke the Camel's Back

Regulating/controlling/reducing pollutants into the environment is something with which most people agree. However, schemes for carbon-caps and carbon credits trading make very little sense.

Texas has long been dependent on the oil and gas industry for the strength of its economy. It is the U.S. leader in most areas of energy production -- including renewable sources such as wind energy. Its cities also are among the leaders in developing plans for reducing pollutants in the atmosphere.

Good science should be applied to pollution, not schemes designed to line the pockets of a small group of people who would create a "carbon credit" market. The individuals promoting such schemes are positioned to capitalize on the trading of such credits while placing an increasing burden on the consumers in this country. IT IS THE CONSUMER who will pay for it all -- not the so-called "bad" industries such as oil & gas production or chemical manufacture.

We are already facing a horrendous deficit in our country due to the profligate spending of the last few years. That deficit promises to grow dramatically under the current bailout schemes. The burden eventually will fall on the shoulders of the taxpayers -- of this generation and the next and the next. The debt of our nation is already held largely by foreign governments. We have sold our country to the highest bidder while sucking the life out of the people who made this country great.

Adding the burden of a carbon cap-and-trade scheme to our economy could very well be the last straw that breaks the camel's back. Perhaps that is what our national leadership desires. We've been hearing of a conspiracy to create a one-world government for years. I never really bought into that conspiracy theory but I'm beginning to wonder.

The article linked below discusses the potential burden to the Texas economy of carbon regulations being proposed. It's amazing isn't it? One of the few bright spots in the U.S. economy is now threatened by this lunacy.

Carbon regulation could "cripple" Texas: Perry

Another article below:

Perry concerned by plans to limit greenhouse gases

And another article:

Perry says emission rules would cripple Texas economy

Consumer Price Increase Is Energy Surcharge

The rise in U.S. consumer prices being reported around the world is not unexpected. I find it interesting how most reports include statistics "stripped" of energy and food price increases. What they don't tell you is that nearly all of the increase is energy driven. Energy affects transportation prices for goods and services. It impacts input costs into goods and services. It affects direct operating costs of businesses. It is built into every item manufactured and every service offered.

My point is this: It isn't inflation that we are seeing, it is a fuel surcharge. If we want to see inflation controlled, we must cut our energy costs.

Energy Fuels Political Games

While Washington plays politics with our energy future, the U.S. consumers continue to pick up the check. The bill to curb energy speculation appears to be merely a political move designed to fool the electorate into believing that Democrats really care about our cost of fuel. It is really an attack on free enterprise which fails to address the true issue -- supply and demand. The price of fuel is set where the quantity supplied equals the quantity demanded. We either need a greater supply or a lower demand. The economic growth of China and India make it difficult to lower demand even though we are burning less fuel in the U.S. Therefore, we must work on the supply side of the equation. We must produce more oil.

From all appearances, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi do not care about the American people. They only care about their power and the narrow interest groups that keep them there. Until Republicans control both the Senate and the House, there is little chance of meaningful energy legislation. That control means more than a simple majority of seats. It must be at least 60% to be truly effective.

Senator Cornyn Pushes Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008

As our nation struggles with the impact of high fuel prices we see little concrete action from our elected officials. It is frustrating that the wheels of government do not seem to be moving on this critical issue.

One exception to this inertia is the continued push by Senator John Cornyn for comprehensive legislation that would not only provide near-term relief for consumers but would pave the way for future energy independence. I pray that he will continue to take the fight to the Democrat controlled Senate on behalf of the U.S. consumer.