THE US REPORT

The House Energy and Commerce committee is holding hearings, doing the politics of climate change. Legislation that follows will impact the lifestyle and income of every American—and of many in other countries. During Friday’s hearing, there was an exchange between Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) who chairs Energy and Commerce and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) wherein the speaker taught Waxman a few things, starting with a civics lesson. After Gingrich presented research contrary to Waxman’s views, Waxman took Gingrich to task but then he went one further. Waxman insulted Gingrich and then he took a strongman approach towards tax and energy increases for Americans. 'Cap and Trade' means taxes. Tell your friends. Waxman knows it.

"Mr. Gingrich, I’m sure glad you’re not in charge of foreign policy! Do you think the only way to incentivize a country is by offering them more and more carrots? You gotta have some threat sometimes—you have to say to incentivize you, we’re going to give you some assistance, but there are going to be consequences."

Gingrich got a dead serious look on his face. And then he responded with a civics lesson and maybe a lesson in honor as well.

"Mr. Chairman, I don’t think of American citizens the way I think of foreign dictators, and I don’t think this Congress should punish the American people. I think this Congress has every right to reward the American people, but I don’t think Lincoln’s government of the people, by the people and for the people should be turned into a government punishing the people, and I think that’s a major difference."

Gingrich then segued into his final remarks, noting the bill in its current form is “incomplete.” For one thing there was no inclusion of nuclear power.

The former speaker then said he’d be glad to help and testify again if need be.

And he concluded by saying, “But I’m always delighted to be here with the chairman.”

Politics just doesn’t get much better than this, and every now and then we see a moment of true leadership. Waxman had to admire Gingrich for that, and if he didn’t, that’s just one more Waxman shortcoming in a very long line.

Gingrich gives Waxman a civics lesson during energy hearing by Kay B. Day