Dumb and Dumber: the US Energy non-policy
From NYTimes Richard Friedman writes a scathing op-ed in "Dumb as we wanna be"
He bashes everyone on the political spectrum calling it a "political brownout" and a "disaster"
Dumb: on McCain Clinton
Dumber: Democrats vs Bush
He goes on to describe the kind of delay we have in driving that innovation. Europe has many developed programs. So what! Let's catch them. America is nothing if resourceful, but right now, the politics of partisanship is so broken basic stuff does not get taken care of. Shame on them! Time to fix this and get moving past the 20th century politics. If politics is not serving the needs of the people then what good is it?
He bashes everyone on the political spectrum calling it a "political brownout" and a "disaster"
Dumb: on McCain Clinton
The McCain-Clinton gas holiday proposal is a perfect example of what energy expert Peter Schwartz of Global Business Network describes as the true American energy policy today: “Maximize demand, minimize supply and buy the rest from the people who hate us the most.”
But here’s what’s scary: our problem is so much worse than you think. We have no energy strategy. If you are going to use tax policy to shape energy strategy then you want to raise taxes on the things you want to discourage — gasoline consumption and gas-guzzling cars — and you want to lower taxes on the things you want to encourage — new, renewable energy technologies. We are doing just the opposite.
Dumber: Democrats vs Bush
The Democrats wanted the wind and solar credits to be paid for by taking away tax credits from the oil industry. President Bush said he would veto that. Neither side would back down, and Mr. Bush — showing not one iota of leadership — refused to get all the adults together in a room and work out a compromise. Stalemate. Meanwhile, Germany has a 20-year solar incentive program; Japan 12 years. Ours, at best, run two years.
He goes on to describe the kind of delay we have in driving that innovation. Europe has many developed programs. So what! Let's catch them. America is nothing if resourceful, but right now, the politics of partisanship is so broken basic stuff does not get taken care of. Shame on them! Time to fix this and get moving past the 20th century politics. If politics is not serving the needs of the people then what good is it?
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