October 21, 2009 - 11:48 AM

Cap and Trade - A Bad Idea

by Mike Huckabee

All of us are in favor of protecting the environment.  As a hunter and outdoorsman, I understand that there is a need for responsible stewardship of our climate.  We all want clean air, clean water and clean soil.  How we get there is where there are deep philosophical differences.

Many conservatives prefer to call the Cap and Trade legislation being considered "Cap and Tax."  The reality of the legislation is that it imposes mandatory punitive taxes on all of us but especially on small businesses.  Under a cap and trade system the federal government sets a cap on the total amount of carbon that can be emitted nationally; companies then buy or sell permits to emit CO2.  The cap gets cranked down over time to reduce total carbon emissions.  The legislation is really pretty simplistic.  Over the next several years the cap on the total amount of carbon that can be emitted will be tightened.  Over the same period of time companies will lose their opportunities to "offset" their emissions.  What that means to the consumer is that as companies are forced to buy expensive permits, they will pass the costs on to the consumers.

I understand that the point of cap and trade is to force Americans to use less energy.  The wrong way to do that is to mandate a reduction by companies.  The effect on the American economy will be catastrophic. 

The Heritage Foundation did an analysis of the House bill, comparing the economy with and without the carbon tax.  Their estimate is that the House bill would cost the economy $161 billion in 2020, which is $1,870 for a family of four.  As the bill's restrictions kick in, that number rises to $6,800 for a family of four by 2035.  The American people can't afford that and it’s critically important in the days ahead that we make sure our elected leaders in Washington understand.

I would be supportive of a voluntary cap and trade that would give businesses an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to good stewardship of the environment, but this proposal punishes American businesses but does nothing to actually reduce pollution and only increases Chinese manufacturing.


Sources:

The Cap and Trade Fiction, The Wall Street Journal, June 26, 2009

Who Pays For Cap and Trade?, The Wall Street Journal, March 9, 2009

Obama Admin:  Cap and Trade Could Cost Families $1,761 A Year, CBS News, September 15, 2009


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Mike Huckabee has written a blog entry "Cap and Trade - A Bad Idea.  Leave him a comment on his web site. http://tinyurl.com/yf87yl3

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Hi, Mike Huckabee has just posted an important blog entry called “Cap and Trade - A Bad Idea."  Read what the Governor thinks we need to do regarding the Cap and Trade legislation.  Go to his web site and leave him a comment. http://tinyurl.com/yf87yl3

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  • Camp, Harold

    11/03/2009 06:20 PM

    Cap and Trade is a bad idea.Most people cant pay their energy bills now.Our country has been taken over by stupid left wing democrates that sole purpose is to take this ship to the deepest part of the abiss and sink it.

  • Copple, Rick

    10/26/2009 12:36 AM

    While people rightly lament the cost that "Health Care Reform" will foist on the public, this bill is sinister. It will strike an economic death blow to our nation. It's as if President Obama is determined to drive a stake into the heart of the free-markets. It's primary goal is economic control rather than climate control.

    I'd call this "Cap and Control" myself.

  • Clark, Donna

    10/25/2009 10:24 AM

    I read,a few days ago, that Obama signed an agreement to preserve 200,000 acres of Alaskian land for the bears. Apparently, this means NO drilling for oil will ever be allowed. Is this true and what else do you know about his new ruling!

  • Lori Jungling

    10/22/2009 03:13 PM

    Another great article! Governor Huckabee IS the Reagan in waiting.

    http://kevinmccullough.townhall.com/blog/g/23809643-6a00-4795-978b-4b794647a821

  • Cunningham, John

    10/21/2009 01:22 PM

    As far as I am concerned "Cap n Trade," is a means to an end. That end, is control of the American system. To get that control, you need to slowly, but methodically absorb things, like health care, and taxes. Then, at some time control of the media is essential. Right now the Obama administration, is working on that little tidbit. Fox News, is the last bastion for freedom in the United States, and no one even knows it. They are sort of like "Radio Free Europe," during the "Cold War." People, need to wake up a smell what the Left is shoveling, we need to take our Country back.

  • KOch, Janelle

    10/21/2009 12:32 PM

    I am signing this petition for the same reason many others are. I cannot justify $15 for a bumpersticker. Don't get me wrong I'd love to have one to show my support.