It has been over a month since I asked Representative Mike Rogers to take a “no earmarks” pledge. I have heard nothing, not even a form letter. Today, I get this email.
I would like to update you on [sic] regarding my work to promote clean energy and a healthy environment in Michigan and across the globe. I appreciate the opportunity to contact you.
I believe we need to reduce emissions to stem climate change, and even more importantly, I know we can reduce emissions to protect the planet AND create new jobs in Michigan. To do this we must first make sure that we protect the many families who are struggling through difficult times. For example, one in five families are behind on their energy bills. These families are carrying and average balance of $160 on electric bills and $360 for natural gas. In Michigan, this problem is even more intense with one in three families behind on their utility bills. Faced with these terrible facts, I believe we simply cannot raise prices any further on hard-working, struggling families. And unfortunately, Cap and Tax will raise prices. Everyone from Michigan Representative John Dingell who called this plan “a tax, a great big one” to President Obama who has said that cap and tax will cause electric rates to “skyrocket,” have acknowledged this fact.
Instead, I believe we must embrace Michigan’s best natural resource, our people. By investing in people through incentives instead of mandates, we can harness the creativity and work ethic of our great state to protect our precious environment.
That is why I have worked to pass the law that helped create “Energy Star” computer server rules, dramatically reducing the electricity used by computer server farms, one of the fastest growing electricity users. It is also why I fought the Bush administration to pass auto loan guarantees for auto makers and auto suppliers, so they have the help they need to design and build new, cleaner cars. And it is why I am now working to create a new clean energy plan that will create jobs in clean energy through:
– New investment in wind, solar and hydroelectric power, creating over 200,000 jobs and producing at least 15% of our electricity from totally clean, renewable energy.
– New tax credits so families can afford to install energy efficient windows, insulation and efficient appliances.
– A cash for clunkers program that will get 2 million old cars off the road, and traded in for new, fuel-efficient American-made cars.
These efforts can be successful because they provide us with incentives to invest in clean energy, to save money by using better technology, and to take a job, a “green job,” in a new clean energy economy. Again, I appreciate the opportunity to contact you. Should you have any questions or concerns in the future, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Mike Rogers has lost my vote. I won’t vote for his opponent either, unless that person calls BS on Congressman Rogers’ belief that I’m an idiot. Yes, Mike, Barack Obama is wrong on this and all I ask is that you recognize why; instead of this pandering buy-in to pseudo-science devoid of real solutions.
…
Even before I could proofread and post the above, I got another email from Congressman Rogers:
I would like to update you on my recent efforts to create a clean energy economy in Michigan. I appreciate the opportunity to contact you.
As you may know, Congress is now considering a “Cap and Tax” system that would place a new limit and tax on green house gases like carbon dioxide. I strongly support reducing carbon dioxide emissions through new technology and innovation. Yet, Michigan Congressman John Dingell, who called this plan “a tax, a great big one” to President Obama who has said that cap and tax will cause electric rates to “skyrocket,” there is a growing understanding that Cap and Tax will cause energy bills to rise and for manufacturing jobs to disappear. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, a cap and tax could cost Michigan as many as 121,000 jobs by 2030 and increase the price of gasoline as much as 141% and electricity by 177%.
In Michigan we have the opportunity to take another path, and to lead America into a clean energy future. Michigan’s best natural resource, her citizens, hold the most potential to lead into a clean energy economy.
That is why I support the following to reduce carbon emissions:
– A cash for clunkers program that will get 2 million old cars off the road, and traded in for new, American made cars. Creating and saving 190,000 American auto industry jobs.
– A new investment in nuclear energy which has zero emissions, creating over 70,000 new, permanent jobs
– New investment in wind, solar and hydroelectric power, creating over 200,000 jobs and producing at least 15% of our electricity from totally clean, renewable energy.
– New tax credits so regular families can afford to install energy efficient windows, insulation and efficient appliances.
These efforts can be successful because they provide us all with incentives to invest in clean energy, to save money by using better technology, and to take a job, a “green job,” in a new clean energy economy. Please know that I will never stop fighting for Michigan jobs.
Again, I appreciate the opportunity to contact you. Should you have any questions or concerns in the future, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
A typo’s fixed and some gobbledegook is rearranged. He should have mentioned nuclear in the first place and should not have pretended there is any such thing as a “green job” aside from that guy who used to work for Captain Kangaroo.
Here’s the merged summary of Congressman Rogers’ energy proposals with comment:
– A cash for clunkers program that will get 2 million old cars off the road, and traded in for new, American made cars. Creating and saving 190,000 American auto industry jobs.
Those would be part of the 4 million jobs Obama’s going to create or save, I suppose. And, I further suppose, you can only spend the “cash” on cars the government approves. But why is it the job of the general government to pay me for my old car or tell me what I have to buy with the proceeds? Why should I pay taxes for this program, much less why should people in Wyoming?
– A new investment in nuclear energy which has zero emissions, creating over 70,000 new, permanent jobs
I doubt that’s 70,000 jobs in Michigan, but it is the only sensible point Mr. Rogers makes. Where are the earmarks for it, then?
– New investment in wind, solar and hydroelectric power, creating over 200,000 jobs and producing at least 15% of our electricity from totally clean, renewable energy.
Waste of money. Waste of time. Stupid. Kills two jobs for every one it creates. Total. Utter. Rentseeking. Corporatist. Bullshit. When private industry proposes this without asking for a subsidy, then, and only then, will it be ready for prime time. If the general government has to pay for it, put the money into nukes.
– New tax credits so families can afford to install energy efficient windows, insulation and efficient appliances.
Not the general government’s job.
See how easy that is, Mike?
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