As I posted
here yesterday, Congress has just completed work on a comprehensive energy bill that re-sets the clock on America's energy policy - back to about 1950. Environmentalist also has a great (more comprehensive) summary
here. Check out NRDC's analysis
here.
What does this mean for Kossacks? Why should we care?
Essentially, we just lost the most important policy battle of Bush's tenure, the one with the largest, most long-term ramifications of anything of the past 5 years, and one that will be an Albatross for the progressive movement for many, many years to come.
Excuse me while I puke.
For folks who don't track this sort of thing, the GOP is - has been for quite some time - a wholly-owned subsidiary of the oil and gas industry. And the energy bill, backed by a few pathetic and damnable Democrats (you listening, Jeff Bingaman?), was written by Dick Cheney, Ken Lay, and the Exxon board of directors. Wish I were
making this up.
To wit: The energy bill approved by Joe Barton this morning in conference - which, by all accounts, seems certain to achieve final approval and be signed by Chimpy - extends America's oil, gas and coal addiction well beyond the point of no return on climate change, while doing literally NOTHING to require the use of more renewable sources like wind power.
I'll say that again: America just permanently checked out of the climate change debate.
No doubt about it, Big Oil is the big winner. And, again, since the money you pay at the pump travels a straight line from your wallet to repugnatan campaign coffers, this bill ensures that the GOP will continue to have access to the deepest, most evil pockets in Houston and Riyadh.
So: for the next few decades, America will continue to enjoy the yoke of deferrence to oppressive regimes in the middle east, will continue to wage war on behalf of same, will continue to lead the world in damage to the environment from climate change (even China is taking steps to reduce oil consumption - China!), and will continue to have a fascist political party backed by the most powerful, evil and despicable industry on the face of the earth.
And we sit here talking about how CostCo has better gasoline prices, so we'll drive a few extra miles to save a few pennies.
Sorry, I'm on a pissed off rant, but we just lost the big one.
