Polling Data Shows Someone In the Opposition Should Bother to Tell the Public What Cap-and-Trade Legislation Does
ByToday, Chairmen Waxman and Markey introduced their controversial carbon cap-and-trade legislation in the House of Representatives. According to the release, Congressman Markey insists that:
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revive our economy and create millions of good-paying clean energy jobs. After months of hearings and discussions with my colleagues, I am pleased that we have produced a bill that has widespread support from all regions of the country.”
We dissent. Congressman Markey may have brought on board a couple of Democrats from areas of Texas with oil interests, but we see little reason to believe that there is widespread support from all regions of the country for this expensive fix for global warming.
Last month, Rasmussen Reports published the results of a national survey finding that only approximately 34% of Americans believe that global warming is a man-made phenomenon. This month, Rasmussen published the results of a poll indicating that only 24% of Americans know that cap-and-trade has to do with “environmental issues” — with more Americans believing that the legislation is aimed at regulating the financial sector.
What would the public think about cap-and-trade legislation if they knew that it’s primary justification is (1) combating global warming and that (2) it is a huge tax on the manufacturing and energy sectors that most economists believe will hamper economic growth. We don’t know for sure, but since almost all polling outfits agree that the economy is still the number one area of concern for most Americans, we think its time to find out.
The opposition party should be asking members of the public if they want to implement a cap-and-trade program that many economists believe could reduce the GDP by multiple points and put 4 million people out of work. Is gutting the manufacturing and energy sectors in the name of combating global warming a good idea right now?
Democrats have been all over the media recently hypothesizing that moderate Republicans may leave the GOP because it is not inclusive enough, but the coming war over cap-and-trade could leave them concerned that once again moderate “Reagan Democrats” may leave a Democratic party that puts environmental ideological extremists before the direct economic interests of their family and friends.
