What part of "free" in "free-market" does the Associated Press not understand?
The news wire's Glen Johnson is reporting today that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) plans on unveiling a plan to combat global climate change "while adhering to free-market principles."
Johnson explains:
McCain's major solution is to implement a cap-and-trade program on carbon-fuel emissions, like a similar program in the Clean Air Act that was used to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions that triggered acid rain.
Industries would be given emission targets, and those coming in under their limit could sell their surplus polluting capacity to companies unable to meet their target.
A cap-and-trade programs would certainly be a market, but it would be an artificial one imposed on manufacturers by government fiat. The key word in free-market being of course, free.
It would be correct to call a voluntary cap-and-trade program created by industry groups outside the pressure of government regulation a "free-market" solution, but the component of force by government here only puts an Adam Smith happy face on a Karl Marx mandate.
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Legislation is strictly for
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 14:48 ET by robert108Legislation is strictly for the purposes of rigging a market in some way. The use of legislation precludes a free market; McCain's statement is a contradiction.
AP's Fault, Or McCain's?
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 15:23 ET by zeestephenIt appears to me that McCain has encouraged the media to run with the idea that cap-and-trade is a free market solution.
However, I don't know if McCain has used those exact words.
The statement I read from
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 16:11 ET by robert108The statement I read from McCain was that he would sponsor legislation to implement free-market solutions to global warming.
Like I said, contradictory.
Excellent point. If he
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 16:17 ET by Clear thinkerExcellent point.
If he truly wanted free-market solutions, there would be no need for him to want legislation.
"Abstain from McCain"
We have the three stooges
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 14:50 ET by FranksamWe have the three stooges running for pres. I just don't know if I can bring myself to vote for Curly after this.
How about Shemp?
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 14:57 ET by mattmHow about Shemp?
I can't, he just keeps
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 14:59 ET by bigtimerI can't, he just keeps sticking it to us...over and over and over.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
bt,I know how you feel,
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 15:09 ET by Chris Normanbt,
I know how you feel, but I tell myself, I knew already he's going to part company with me on several of issues. What do I want: watered-down liberalism from McCain on "global warming"/envirionmental issues, illegal immigration, and energy policy OR (beyond) full-bore extreme liberalism from Obama and the still-Democrat congress on every issue? I have to say I'll still take McCain and any of the half liberal measures he might put in place - easier maybe to undo or neuter in the future than Obama's.
Chris... Oh I know how
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 15:22 ET by bigtimerChris...
Oh I know how you feel, and I also know I am in the minority here too...I respect every-ones opinion on how or who they vote for.
I just cannot do it with this guy...I even considered if he would get someone conservative as VP...not anymore...I have had it....I listened to his pathetic two part interview with BOR and that was enough, and now this today...although I already knew about his cap n' trade issue, he and Lieberman were the original sponsors of it, although Warner has his name replaced with McCain's now on the bill...he and Warner have done a lot to hurt us in the Senate along with a handful of other RINOs for years and years...I listened to all of his BS and destructiveness for years in the Senate...he is a flaming democrat, Zell Miller was more republican the way he voted than McCain did for heavens sake....I can take no more. Period.
Evidently a lot of people feel like me out in this country...he is getting zilch for support...zilch for $$$...here is a link I saw this week-end speaking of money...he is not going to bring republicans to the polls either...and we need them for the voting for seats on congress at least...it is sad all the way around.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Hi bt... Hope all is well
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 15:32 ET by Clear thinkerHi bt...
Hope all is well with you today.
As you know, I have been preaching that McCain will be our next president for reasons like racism and sexism in the Democrat ranks. With the announcement of Bob Barr jumping in as a Libertarian, my chances of being correct are getting slimmer.
Each day that goes by it's getting increasingly harder to explain to my friends and family what I think will happen if any of the 3 stooges get's elected. I'm almost at a point where I may skip voting this time around.
"Abstain from McCain"
Hi Ct... I saw your post
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 15:39 ET by bigtimerHi Ct...
I saw your post to Chris I think it was and posted under you about Barr.
I will be PMing you later.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Two thumbs up! "Abstain
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 15:49 ET by Clear thinkerTwo thumbs up!
"Abstain from McCain"
BT, All true, but still, I
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 17:22 ET by Chris NormanBT,
All true, but still, I could stand Hillary before Obama and I can stand McCain before either. A vote for Barr will be a vote for Obama and I just can't do that. I guess, as friends, we'll have to agree to disagree on this.
PS: I really can't bear the thought of Michelle Obama as First Lady - I just can't.
Chris, no matter what I
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 17:43 ET by bigtimerChris, no matter what I hope a lot of us who differ politically when it comes to McCain always remain friends from way back here...
People really ought to listen to McCain at these town hall meetings and speeches of his....it is horrendous...for example just today he says I will not shirk on Kyoto, won't wait eight long years blah blah blah...it is insane I cannot take it anymore...at least I know who the enemy is, and all three are as far as I am concerned.
McCain is doing his own-self in...not me.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
I figure it this way, BT: I
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 18:59 ET by Chris NormanI figure it this way, BT: I voted for Gerald Ford with my first vote because I couldn't stand the peanut farmer. Now, Ford would be considered a liberal Republican. I'm just pretending that McCain is Ford and there are no options out there - because, for me, there really isn't.
Always vote for the lesser of evils. . .
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 15:48 ET by TheTruthAlways vote for the lesser of evils. . . All three are bad choices for President but two are worse!
I fear Barr's announcement
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 16:05 ET by Cape Conservativewill be the "Perot" moment of the 2008 election.
TT, I agree that McCain is the best of the 3 currently running, but there have been absolutely no - ZERO - $$ sent to him or the national committee from this household this time around. I'm concentrating on sending to individual CONSERVATIVES - that is the only way we will be able to keep the next president in line.
WE MUST VOTE FOR CONSERVATIVES in the House and Senate!!!!! REGARDLESS of how we feel about John McCain!
Yeah, and maybe Al Gore can
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 14:52 ET by Chris NormanYeah, and maybe Al Gore can set up another company to broker these "surplus polluting capacity" credits - the free market at it's - er - best...
AG's fat pockets
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 16:10 ET by Cape Conservativeare the main reason I believe he will stay out of this year's election process. He doesn't want to do anything to upset that apple cart!
How I'd love to see him enter the fray, though. It would be so much fun to watch and listen as he tried to explain Global Warming to all of us, the unwashed masses ;-) And to answer how there is NO conflict of interest in him banking all those $$ in response to his "henny penny" predictions! In fact, for those of us who were read Mother Goose as children, I can easily visualize AG running around like a chicken squawking "the sky is falling" ;-)
The goal of any and all
Mon, 05/12/2008 - 14:54 ET by rbosqueThe goal of any and all socialists is control. Gradual control of "evil" corporations is on their list. What better way than to convince the sheeple that government control for the sake of the environment is in their interest.