Energy Act Will Cost Americans Dearly
Rep. Rick Boucher has stabbed the working people of Southwest Virginia in the back by his vote for H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The act provides for a “cap and trade” program that is no more than a huge tax on all forms of energy that will be eventually paid by the public, as all taxes are.
Boucher’s vote supported a bill that will cost Southwest Virginia dearly. The cost of electricity, home heating, gasoline, and virtually all necessities will skyrocket for working people throughout Boucher’s district because of the massive taxes in the bill. Estimates from reputable sources, like MIT, put the increase at $3,900 per family per year.
Moreover, thousands of jobs in coal and related industries will be lost, in exchange for “pie in the sky” green jobs promised by the Obama administration that may never materialize. Some of us remember the promises of President Jimmy Carter in the 1970s that the expensive new Energy Department would “end our dependence on foreign oil” with “new energy sources” that would provide thousands of jobs. Well, we actually increased our dependence on foreign oil, and where are new energy sources and the jobs? President Obama’s promises sound much the same.
Why would Boucher betray the people in his district? The only logical answer is that he has bought into the controversial issues of “global warming” or “climate change” that the bill purports to solve. It seems that he is willing to risk the economic well-being of working folks in his district on a risky solution to an unproven problem.
Boucher has apparently become a Washington insider and forgotten the working people of Southwest Virginia. Maybe it’s time we were represented by someone that remembers who elected him.
William R. Watts
Rural Retreat, Va.
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Reader Reactions
One more thing. Cap and Trade is a direct tax on the consumer. If you think it has anything to do with improving the environment you are simply naive.
Come on EaTn. Do you really believe this? Worst air quality in the country? Give me a break. You been to L.A., N.Y., Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh? Producing goods comes with a cost.
BTW, the AEP Clinch River Plant spent a great deal on money beginning in 1973, to place precipitators onto their plant to improve the air quality. I think this was during the Nixon admin. I guess if there is blame for anything it should be spread to all presidents, congress and senate since then. It’s not a just Bush thing. We, as consumers want our cake and eat it too. We want more done without cost a increase on our monthly bill.
Russ- the only smoke I’ve been breathing is in the air; this area is among the worst air quality in the country which can cause health issues like respiratory problems. If nothings done we can be sending our kids to school wearing face masks like you see in parts of China. The Bush admin totally ignored this issue. I for one thinks it’s past time that we halted this greedy practice being passed on to our kids and grandkids.
EaTn, HE ALREADY HAS!! He voted for Cap and Trade legislation, and spoke in favor of it on the house floor. If this terrible legislation gets through the Senate, energy prices will skyrocket, as will the cost of everything, and thousands of coal miners and related industries will be out of work. Are you smoking some kind of unusual smelling herb?
Boucher, nor any other politician, can help anyone without hurting someone else. What about the concept don’t you understand? If a politician GIVES you something he has TAKEN it from someone else, do you COMPREHEND?
Less talk and more action. Attend a Tea Party Saturday downtown bristol or Monday night at Sugar Hollow Park. See if Rep Boucher will attend as he has been invited as stated in today’s article on the tea parties.
If you believe Boucher would ever double-cross his district, I have some beach front property in Rural Retreat I’ll sell you. The thousands of people who’ve been touched by Boucher’s tireless work are not that gullible to believe it either.
Boucher is no longer a member of our community. He’s moved on. He’s now hobknobing with the California and North Eastern elitists. His focus is to stay in good favor with them, and he has sold the energy industry down the road to do so.
Our only chance is if the Senate rejects this terrible legislation. It is 1500 pages, and I doubt there is one legislator that has a clue to what’s in it. Waxman and Markey probably haven’t read it either, and they supposedly were the authors.
I have very little hope that Warner or Webb will act indepently. They’ll tow the Obama-Democratic line. We’d be better off without representation, when you consider what we have now. We can only hope that the people will awaken and give Boucher his pink slip in 2010, but I won’t count on it.
:Why would Boucher betray the people in his district?“
Acyually, because he’s just a Party Puppet” He has chosen to perpetuate the smoke & mirrors of Obama’s Administration.
With Obama & Pelosi setting the agenda, the entire country will become just like California.
To all of us in the Middle class, ENJOY THE TAX HIKE- WE HAVE PLENTY OF COMPANY IN PAYING HIGHER TAXES- THE WEALTHY & THE LOWER INCOME FOLKS.
CHANGE!
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