VT-Chicklit
Lovin' The Homestead
Pat, I have no problems living without imported fruits and veggies. I have no problems with not having cheaply made stuff imported from China. Unfortunately, that is not what our government is pushing. I, for the most part, believe in supporting American industries first. I only stray from this when there is a HUGE difference in cost or if an American made equivalent cant be found. I wish our government would promote this. It would save energy and keep the jobs here in the US.
It is unfortunate that "buy America first" is not what they are promoting. They are directly attacking our sources of electricity WITHOUT a viable alternative. I, at this time, do not find solar or wind a viable alternative. The reason that I say this is because there are logistical difficulties with putting this new infrastructure in place and it is cost prohibitive for most Americans to do it on their own. It is inconvenient that everyone does not want to co-operate and allow these windmills and solar arrays to be erected but they have a right to their opinion and a judicial system that they can use as their bully pulpit. These issues will be tied up in the courts for years, and in the mean time the average citizen will be the group hurt by these HUGE increases in energy costs. I find it ironic that the people who are pushing Cap and Trade (Al Gore, Pres. Obama, Nancy Pelosi et al) have no problem with jet setting all around the country and the world. Their carbon foot print for one of these trips is larger than I would ever dream of producing in a year. Many of these trips are totally un-necessary. Trips from Washington DC to Chicago for a Valentines Day dinner for 2, Trips across the country for a photo-op in front of a windmill as a speech is given, entourages in full sized SUV's (I am not talking about the pres. either), large houses, flights from coast to coast almost every weekend etc show me that they do not plan on paring down their carbon footprint the way that they are going to force us to through tax. It seems a bit disingenuous, don't you think.
Many of us have cut back due to increased costs. My electricity is not subsidized as some have stated. I currently pay 14 cents a KWH and believe me when I say "we do not waste electricity". My fuel oil is not subsidized either. I have just paid $2.30 a gallon and have filled up our tank for the year (400 gal). We keep our thermostat at 58 degrees and burn wood to supplement. I am sure that the wood I am burning puts out more carbon than the fuel oil but the REALITY is it costs me less and in this economy, cost matters. We live in a rural area and need cars to get around and to plow our road. I would love it if there was a bus system that came out here, but it is not cost effective, so we drive. I consolidate trips and go into town once or twice a week, depending on my mothers doctor visits. DH works for the courts and his job is 35 miles each way every day.
The food that is produced in the US is very carbon intensive. From the fertilizers that we use, to the equipment that cultivates and harvests and then to the mills that process or otherwise packages the food for shipment around the world. I believe that this Carbon Tax will probably have unintended consequences elsewhere in the world. We provide a lot of the food to other countries that are less fortunate than us. I get concerned that we will no longer be able to provide this food and others will starve. Possibly even some Americans, here. When the government gets so deeply involved into picking winners and loosers in commerce, there are always "unintended consequences" Usually these consequences are not good.
A lot rides on a smooth transition from fossile fuels to other alternatives. I do not believe that an adequate foundation has been laid for that smooth transition.
It is unfortunate that "buy America first" is not what they are promoting. They are directly attacking our sources of electricity WITHOUT a viable alternative. I, at this time, do not find solar or wind a viable alternative. The reason that I say this is because there are logistical difficulties with putting this new infrastructure in place and it is cost prohibitive for most Americans to do it on their own. It is inconvenient that everyone does not want to co-operate and allow these windmills and solar arrays to be erected but they have a right to their opinion and a judicial system that they can use as their bully pulpit. These issues will be tied up in the courts for years, and in the mean time the average citizen will be the group hurt by these HUGE increases in energy costs. I find it ironic that the people who are pushing Cap and Trade (Al Gore, Pres. Obama, Nancy Pelosi et al) have no problem with jet setting all around the country and the world. Their carbon foot print for one of these trips is larger than I would ever dream of producing in a year. Many of these trips are totally un-necessary. Trips from Washington DC to Chicago for a Valentines Day dinner for 2, Trips across the country for a photo-op in front of a windmill as a speech is given, entourages in full sized SUV's (I am not talking about the pres. either), large houses, flights from coast to coast almost every weekend etc show me that they do not plan on paring down their carbon footprint the way that they are going to force us to through tax. It seems a bit disingenuous, don't you think.
Many of us have cut back due to increased costs. My electricity is not subsidized as some have stated. I currently pay 14 cents a KWH and believe me when I say "we do not waste electricity". My fuel oil is not subsidized either. I have just paid $2.30 a gallon and have filled up our tank for the year (400 gal). We keep our thermostat at 58 degrees and burn wood to supplement. I am sure that the wood I am burning puts out more carbon than the fuel oil but the REALITY is it costs me less and in this economy, cost matters. We live in a rural area and need cars to get around and to plow our road. I would love it if there was a bus system that came out here, but it is not cost effective, so we drive. I consolidate trips and go into town once or twice a week, depending on my mothers doctor visits. DH works for the courts and his job is 35 miles each way every day.
The food that is produced in the US is very carbon intensive. From the fertilizers that we use, to the equipment that cultivates and harvests and then to the mills that process or otherwise packages the food for shipment around the world. I believe that this Carbon Tax will probably have unintended consequences elsewhere in the world. We provide a lot of the food to other countries that are less fortunate than us. I get concerned that we will no longer be able to provide this food and others will starve. Possibly even some Americans, here. When the government gets so deeply involved into picking winners and loosers in commerce, there are always "unintended consequences" Usually these consequences are not good.
A lot rides on a smooth transition from fossile fuels to other alternatives. I do not believe that an adequate foundation has been laid for that smooth transition.
That's why I think a lot of energy change in America needs to happen in the metropolitans areas--it just makes more sense. 
