GOP.com Joins the Church of Global Warming

The GOP website is now featuring a presentation on how John McCain’s cap and trade program will not only encourage businesses to go green, but will actually increase jobs in America. This latest insult, in a long line of insults from John McCain, is unforgivable.

First, how is this market based when it is initiated by the government? Maybe I am missing something here, but market based solutions are usually initiated by a need in the market, not on a government plan. If there is a “market” for green energy, the government doesn’t need to be involved.

But with this plan, the government sets the level of CO₂ you can emit. If you don’t use green energy, you have to pay those who do. That isn’t a market solution. It may take place in the market, after the government sets limits. From How Stuff Works:

Cap-and-trade schemes are the most popular way to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions. The scheme’s governing body begins by setting a cap on allowable emissions. It then distributes or auctions off emissions allowances that total the cap. Member firms that do not have enough allowances to cover their emissions must either make reductions or buy another firm’s spare credits. Members with extra allowances can sell them or bank them for future use.

Who is the governing body here? The government. John McCain. A Democrat Congress.

In reality, it’s government punishing companies for not meeting government standards. But I guess since the GOP says it is market based, we are all expected to nod our heads and march ahead like little green drones.

Second, how in the world does punishing industries and businesses in America lead to new jobs? First, these businees have to buy carbon credits. Then, if they don’t like the expense of carbon credits, they buy green energy. Green energy costs more than other energy, as any liberal will tell you.

It’s true that renewable energy costs can be many times higher than power from traditional sources. For solar, utilities might have to shell out 10 to 20 times more money per kilowatt-hour compared with the cost of power from existing dams. The price of building wind turbines and coal plants is roughly comparable, though some estimates put wind higher.

It’s how Al Gore justified his high energy bill.

Finally, are we expected to ignore the repercussions carbon trading is having in Europe?

Rather than proving its effectiveness, the trading system has pushed electricity prices even higher while energy-intensive companies are forced to close down, cut jobs, or pass on the costs to consumers.

…

Europe is burdening its industries and consumers with soaring costs that are undermining Europe’s international competitiveness. Instead of improving environmental conditions, Europe’s policy threatens to redirect energy-intensive production to parts of the world that reject mandatory carbon cuts.

Yet the GOP presentation wants you and me to believe that this plan will bring nothing but good things to America.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to support John McCain and the Republican party. He continues to embrace liberal ideas and insult the conservative base of the GOP. Now, party officials are joining him.