Cap and Trade - Irresponsible Legislation

On Friday, June 26th, the House passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (HR 2454), a move intended to reduce dependence on foreign energy and halt emissions that many feel are contributing to global warming. The vote was along party lines, with most Democrats voting for the bill and opposed by most Republicans. There is much to discuss in regards to the passage of this legislation. However, it has been reported that not a single member of Congress has read the 1000+ page bill.

Regardless of the content of the bill, it is irresponsible for members of the house to pass any bill, especially a bill that will have the far reaching consequences of this legislation without careful consideration and analysis. This legislation will significantly increase energy taxes on businesses and individuals. In the midst of a recession, how can a responsible government take more money out of a delicate economy. Yet, the members of Congress voting for this bill have passed it without knowing what it contains, let alone the possible consequences.

Last August, a bill was signed into law intended to protect children from hazardous materials in toys, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). We can all agree that we need to protect our children, but this legislation was passed as a reaction to unsafe toys being imported from China. Congress created a monster, not reasonable legislation. Forbes.com reported:

CPSIA is now shaping up as a calamity for businesses and an epic failure of regulation, threatening to wipe out tens of thousands of small makers of children's items from coast to coast, and taking a particular toll on the handcrafted and creative, the small-production-run and sideline at-home business, not to mention struggling retailers. (see Forbes.com)

The article continues:

And yet now it appears precious few lawmakers took the time to check what was in the bill, while precious few in the press (which ran countless let's-pass-a-law articles) cared to raise even the most basic questions about what the law was going to require.

Yes, something's being exposed as systematically defective here. But it's not the contents of our kids' toy chests. It's the way we make public policy. (Ibid.)

CPSIA was irresponsible legislation. Carefully crafted legislation could have dealt with the problem. Instead, Congress reacted instead of taking appropriate steps to deal with the problem.

Once again, an irresponsible House has passed legislation that may make the problems resulting from CPSIA pale in comparison, and yet not a single member has read the legislation. Who knows what trojan horses reside in this legislation. We need to tell Congress to stop. We need to be more responsible citizens and select men and women who are willing to stand up to the power structure and demand responsible government.