The political class has been trying to exploit the BP oil spill as an argument for passing the cap & trade bill. But if that really made sense then why has BP endorsed the bill?!
Please bring this inconvenient truth to the attention of your Congressional representatives. Send them a letter opposing cap & trade.
You may borrow from or copy this sample letter . . .
BP is justly criticized for its handling of the Gulf oil spill. But it’s dishonest to use this tragedy to promote the cap & trade bill.
In fact, BP has endorsed the bill! http://marathonpundit.blogspot.com/2010/06/bp-supports-democrats-cap-and-trade-tax.html
And it’s no wonder. The Kerry-Lieberman American Power Act (APA) is little more than a corporate welfare scheme.
* BP would benefit from greater highway subsidies that encourage more driving and oil consumption
* BP would also benefit from subsidies for coal-fired power plants that switch to gas http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/nation/Once-a-government-pet-BP-now-a-capitalist-tool-95942659.htmlShell and Conoco have also endorsed the bill, among many other corporations. As the Wall Street Journal put it, “Every business or interest that could afford a half-competent lobbyist stands to benefit” from the APA. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703339304575240353420875226.html
This bill . . .
http://www.carbontax.org/blogarchives/2010/05/14/kerry-lieberman-%E2%80%9Cclimate%E2%80%9D-bill-is-worse-than-nothing/* Helps the nuclear industry through loan guarantees, tax breaks, and insurance subsidies
* Subsidizes dubious “clean coal” technology
* Subsidizes the conversion of vehicles from gasoline to natural gas
* Is loaded with tax breaks and special favors
* And won’t do much to reduce CO2 emissions – which are already declining without government help http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2010/05/co2-emissions-fall-to-14-year-low-in.htmlJust as Congressional healthcare reformers rhetorically scapegoated the insurance companies but ultimately rewarded them, the same thing is happening with Congress’s cap & trade legislation.
Since you’ve listened to the lobbyists, now it’s time to listen to me:
Stop the subsidies! End corporate welfare!
If you believe that CO2 emissions cause global warming, reductions can be achieved with a carbon tax that’s offset by eliminating other taxes. That’s all the incentive industry would need to switch to cleaner energy sources. No government subsidies are needed. Cap & Trade is a corrupt scheme that transfers wealth from taxpayer to some of our most profitable corporations. You must oppose it.
END LETTER
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Jim Babka
President
DownsizeDC.org, Inc.