Will Sen. Martinez sell constituents out on Cap and Trade?

Former speaker of the Florida House Marco Rubio is challenging Gov. Charlie Crist for position of GOP contender for retiring Sen. Mel Martinez's seat. Rubio's public remarks suggest he is a strong fiscal conservative, something sorely needed in the US Senate at present.A Floridian forwarded an email response from Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) about the American Clean Energy and Security Act (HR 2454). Passed by the House, the act is popularly and more appropriately called the Cap and Tax bill. It’s basically a revenue bill and if you take the time to read the 1,200+ pages almost no one who voted for it read (even the energy czar), it will do nothing for the environment. Any Republican who votes for this bill abandons fiscal conservative principles and more importantly, personal liberty.

I’m not going to reprint Martinez’s whole email. But the content of his response suggests he’s bought into Gorian theory and he is possibly supportive of legislation to curb greenhouse gases despite the hundreds of scientists and experts in related disciplines who disagree with Gore about human impact on carbon emissions.

The only branded media outlets that consistently address carbon emission theories fully are The Wall Street Journal and Fox News. Other major outlets and even the wire services refuse to consistently cover any expert who disagrees with flawed theories that gave Al Gore his famous peace prize that will take a piece out of your bank account for sure.

I made several calls in an attempt to find out what Martinez plans to do. An intern at his Jacksonville office told me Martinez had not yet reached a decision. Asked if Martinez had read the whole bill, the intern said he wasn’t “100 percent sure.” His press spokesman wasn’t in the office as I wrote this column.

The email Martinez sent said, “The choices we make now in dealing with climate change may be some of the most significant environmental and economic decisions of our generation. I assure you that I am committed to passing legislation to counter the threat posed by global climate change, and I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind should H.R. 2454, or any related legislation, receive the attention of the full Senate.” Martinez also said, “[O]ur country can provide needed leadership and technological innovation for the international community, and, as one of the world's largest energy consumers, it is time for the United States to accept this responsibility.”

What he doesn’t mention is the manner we establish emission levels. China and India base theirs on per capita numbers. Since they both have huge populations, this favors their position.

Unless China and India agree to curb emissions according to standards the US must adhere to, our country will see its trade position further erode. And since both those countries are still classified as “developing nations,” it’s not likely either will take drastic steps that will impact their economies.

Cap and Tax will not address climate change. It will address the pockets of speculators and investors like former Democratic vice president Al Gore. It will create another financial bubble wherein nothing of real substance is traded. The bill also opens a door for organizations like ACORN to receive funding. The bill does not address water quality issues, declining habitat issues, special natural area issues or any other tangible environmental problem. The bill does not address real action to deal with natural climate change, a phenomenon that has affected the planet since its inception.

No one can guarantee the impact of sequestering carbon emissions, but I can tell you I don’t want them sequestered in my back yard.

Some legislators have promised to address economic fallout for those living on fixed incomes. No redress is being considered for the rest of us.

Ask yourself these questions. Will carbon sequestration help bring rain to Karamoja in Uganda? Would carbon sequestration have stopped Krakatoa or more recently Katrina? Would sequestration stop a tsunami?

Then ask yourself how you are going to pay for this outrageously sorry piece of legislation.

What this bill does is provide a license for the federal government and “developing countries” to loot the US taxpayer. If a Republican supports HR2454 he is no conservative. He or she would then be classified as a statist or as I call it, a neoliberal. A true liberal bears no resemblance to today's 'progressives' who in truth are 'regressives' as in a feudal system mentality.

Voters should bear that in mind when elections roll around. Personally speaking, I have no representation in the US Senate. I hope that changes once Martinez steps down.

We listed the name of each representative who voted for this irresponsible, sorry piece of legislation popularly called Cap and Trade. Check out the list and make sure these people lose their elitist perch in Washington.

Will Sen. Martinez sell constituents out on Cap and Trade?
by Kay B. Day
Jul. 9, 2009