Posted by
Zentrist on Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:35:30 PM
First, I have a confession to make: I've never been very interested in "the environment" except as a factor in the philosophy of man. (Freedom and Determinism--that perennial conundrum.) In spring of 1970, a good friend tried his best to get me to help him organize the local Earth Day. I said, not only no, but hell no. The thirty-ninth anniversary of that original Earth Day was celebrated just a couple weeks ago on El Rushbo's radio show. Rush taught me a few things I didn't know. The founder of Earth Day wound up killing his wife and being defended in court by Arlen Specter. But today, that is neither here nor there.
Since 1986 I've been driving a four-cylinder Toyota pick-up; until recently I've been "recycling" zilch; I continue to eat meat, tonight at Arby's; we use window units to save on electricity, but I've refused the offers from Green Mountain Electric; also in 1986 I quit drinking alcohol and have stayed sober (for the most part) ever since--wait a minute: What does THAT have to do with our topic?
What is our topic?
Thomas Friedman's recent article which appeared this morning in the newspaper. "Obama's green team is superb--now he just has to lead the way." The paper provided that title. Friedman provides a speech that he thinks Obama ought to give:
"My fellow Americans, I want to speak to you about a new economic law. You've heard of Moore's Law in information technology. I'd like to speak to you about the 'Law of More' in energy technology. Americans, Indians, Chinese, Africans, we all want more--more comfort in our homes, more mobility in our lives, more technologies with which to innovate. But there is only one way all 6.3 billion of us can have more and not make this an unlivable planet, and that is by living our lives and running our businesses in more sustainable ways and properly accounting for it.
"Right now, we're paying a huge price--a tax--for everyone trying to achieve more in an unsustainable way. But the 'More Tax' is not imposed by the U. S. government. It is a tax imposed by the market and will continue rising indefinitely as more and more people want more and more stuff. It will steadily drive up gasoline prices, home heating prices and factory electricity prices.
"My proposal is that today we fix a durable price on carbon-based fossil fuels, but set it to begin only in 2011, after we're out of this recession. Every home builder, air-conditioning manufacturer, gasoline refiner, car maker will know that it's coming and will, I believe, immediately look for ways to profit from and invest in more energy-efficient systems. Yes, the cost of gasoline or kilowatt-hours will rise in the short term. But in the long term, your actual bills and expenses will go down because your car, applicances and factory will become steadily more productive.
"So those are our choices--an escalating 'More Tax' forever or a 'Carbon Tax Cut' forever, which is what you'll get from establishing a carbon price signal that shapes the market in favor of American interests and not those of our adversaries and competitors. If you're with me, write your member of Congress and senator today."
Now, for your convenience, if you write the old-fashioned way, here is the address of your representative and senator:
Hon. Congressman ___________
The U. S. Congress
Washington, D. C. 20515
Hon. Senator _____________
The U. S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
As for Allan Greenspan, he's green, too. A New York Times columnist you might not necessarily trust. But an Allan Greenspan--Let's put it this way. After watching the interview of Greenspan that came with the publication of one of his recent books, perhaps his recentmost book, I was convinced that Al Gore is right and Sean Hannity is wrong on the Green Movement. This hack, me, is now officially green. Why? both Thomas Friedman and Allan Greenspan, not to mention the Pope and the bulk of trustworthy data...data means A LOT to Dr. Greenspan...but don't take my word or anyone else's: Find out for yourself!