higher taxes

With his speech to Congress, and his subsequent radio address, this President's modus operandi is now clear. He makes agreeable noises, language inoffensive to all, then pushes bills through Congress that are full of controversy, and that in some cases, contradict his spoken intentions.

In his speech to Congress, he said he would cap carbon emissions. He did NOT utter the magic words "cap and trade." But we see that is precisely what he intends to do, and I wonder if the public, lulled and hypnotized by his rhetoric and winsome smile, will pay attention to his actions before their first Obama electric bill arrives in the mail.

Here's the deal: Government experts tell you (individual or corporation) how much carbon you can consume. You pay fines to Uncle Sam if you exceed the limits. Uncle Sam then distributes the fines to the middle class and the poor (or in the vernacular of the Obama White House, "the vulnerable") to help them pay for the higher energy costs that Cap and Trade created in the first place. Meanwhile, those who invest in creating energy exchanges, like Al Gore, will get rich off the trades, and the government creates a new "revenue stream" (i.e., tax). In his speech to Congress, Obama told us that he will see to it that renewable energy becomes more affordable. He didn't say that he would do so by driving up the cost of oil, coal and gas generated energy. But that is exactly what he is proposing, and it is consistent with the thinking of the Earth First / No-Growth crowd, who would have us canning beats for the winter rather than buying avocados from California. It all makes you wonder how far he wants to take the extremist environmental agenda. Really, it should come as no surprise for those of us who raised an eyebrow last summer when he was asked how he felt about $4/gallon gas, and responded that it was a shame only that the price went up to fast. See the video...

Have we ever concocted such a disruptive solution to a problem that may not even exist?

Bill Smith, Editor: Like most Americans, I identify with Joe the Plumber who wants to work, invest, own and seek the American dream of being successful. But, we are faced with a government that wants to tax our success for working hard to support others who have settled for less - government handouts - and thus live off the labors of "us." I'm not talking about those who can't work or are temporarily down on their luck through no fault of their own. But I am tired of government people, like Sen. Barack Obama, who want to to take my money and then redistribute (give) my money to those who can work to provide for themselves and those under their care. I especially don't like their giving my money to those who made past mistakes, made poor decisions or are just plain are lazy and now want to avoid the consequences of their actions, laziness, mistakes or poor decisions. Also, have you noted that while taxing "us" for working, the government keeps their "operational cut" which tends to grow over time. I join Joe the Plumber is saying Don't tax me for working hard or for having worked hard to save for my family's future!