9 Things You Need to Know About Cap & Tax

The Obama administration is in full press mode twisting arms in the House to pass the "Cap and Tax" legislation official known as "ACES": the American Clean Energy & Security Act of 2009.

Here's the short list of what you need to know:

1) It is a huge tax on the American people and American business. Cost estimates range from a ludicrously "cooked" $175 per year per family (Congressional Budget Office) to $4,100+ per year per family (according to an ACES advocate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

2) Since all Americans use electricity, natural gas, coal and gasoline, all Americans will get hit with this tax increase.

3) Since nearly all Americans buy groceries and merchandise that have to be shipped from somewhere to their local stores, the increased cost of energy will be reflected in their purchases.

4) The rationale of this legislation is to halt "global warming." By their own admission, the authors of the bill project that this will a reduction in the warming of the planet by 1/10th of a degree Celcius than it otherwise would have been after 100 years. The cost-benefit of this multi-trillion dollar tax doesn't even come close to making sense.

5) There is nothing in this legislation that will ensure we convert to "green" energy. It is a revenue measure designed to force draconian conservation actions by you and me. We will cut back on our electrical use and our driving because we will have no choice.

6) The word "security" in the title is superfluous horse shit. Nothing that the bill proposes is going to make this nation any more secure. In fact, as the last of our industries flee to countries who don't give a damn about global warming, we will be less secure because even our national defense will have to be outsourced to industries outside our borders.

7) As you read this, you have less than 24 hours to contact your representatives in Congress and tell them that you do not support this bill, and you will not forgive them if they vote in favor of it. As Thomas Jefferson said, "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." Current congresspersons should be very afraid that we will toss them out in next year's midterm elections. The only way for them to know this is for us to make them aware.

8) What else should you do? Tell your friends and your family. Don't let stupid comments in support of "cap and tax" go unchallenged with facts. Ask a supporter if they plan on getting a big raise at their work in order to pay for this.

9) In the event that "cap and tax" is passed, you need to prepare by doing what you can to make your home energy efficient. Every dollar you save per month will be just that much more valuable under the onerous conditions that will come to pass. Saving 30 percent on your energy expenses just might preserve your ability to feed your family.

Okay, the list wasn't that short, but it is crucial that you are aware. If we stop ACES in the House, we will not have to worry so much about the Senate.

Mark my words, they will do anything, say anything, use any crisis -- real or manufactured -- as justification to push this abomination into law.

Tell them no!

NOTE -- The editors of National Review have an editorial against ACES today that makes many of the same points. Their money quote:

So here are the cards Democrats want to deal us: ACES would impose costs at least ten times as large as its benefits, would not reduce the deficit, and would not really cap emissions. It’s a losing hand.

Higher Energy Prices Just Around the Corner

One way or another, the "progressives" are going to raise your energy bills.

Today the EPA declared "greenhouse gases" to be a threat to public health and safety, thus eligible for regulation without any further action from the United States Congress.

Meanwhile, House Energy & Commerce committee chairman Henry Waxman, D-CA, said he would not compromise on legislation mandating a 20 percent reduction in carbon emissions over the next ten years. Waxman would rather Congress legislate than the executive branch dictate.

Either way, my friends, you are screwed.

Electricity prices will rise. Natural gas prices will rise. The money will go from your pocket to the federal government, and from there who knows.

Gasoline prices will head skyward again. The price of automobiles will climb because of new, mandatory miles per gallon requirements. There is even a threat that you won't be able to hold on to a reliable older car if it is considered a carbon emissions villain, thus you may be forced to buy a newer vehicle.

Government officials are crowing about their plans to create the "smart grid" that will regulate power loads across the United States. Not only will this new computerized grid require billions in new spending, either by government or by the utility companies, but it will also require that you eventually give up control of your thermostat to bureaucrats. These "experts" will decide whether you are using too much juice.

One man, whom I consider an expert on home energy efficiency, recently told me that a minimum estimate of the impact on heating and cooling our homes would be about $600 to $1000 more per home per year. Are you ready for that? Can you squeeze that out of your budget?

All this to fix a "global warming/climate change" problem that may not exist and, if it does, may not be fixable. And who cares what happens to the economy as a result.

But this isn't really about climate change. This is merely the justification for socialist control of our lives and livelihoods.