Global Warming

America is Speaking Out but Peter Roskam & GOP Turning a Deaf Ear

On August 2, 2010, in America Speaking Out, Congressional Elections, Energy, Financial Sector, Global Warming, Healthcare, Peter Roskam, Peter Roskam's Corporate Agenda, Regulatory Reform, Republican Party, Unemployment, by RSR
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It’s hard to be a Republican like Peter Roskam. The dilemma is always how to sell a package of pro-corporate policies to working people whose votes you need, when those very policies make the lives of those voters more difficult. In the past, the Republican party has turned to wedge issues like abortion and homosexuality, and to scaring the living daylights out of people  by making them believe there’s a terrorist lurking around every corner. Those gimmick are losing some of their effectiveness. America is much more comfortable and accepting of gay people than it used to be and the public feels rightly burned by the experience of the George W Bush Presidency and its lawless “War on Terror”.

This year the Republicans in Congress have a new gimmick. It is called America Speaking Out. It is an interactive website that allows users to submit and vote on ideas in a variety of categories such as “National Security” & “Fiscal Accountability”. The site is being heavily promoted by Peter Roskam and other Republican members of Congress through their Twitter accounts and in their Town Hall meetings with constituents. The Republicans say they want to use the site to solicit input to help them formulate their policy agenda:

This is an open forum, however, where all Americans are welcome to respectfully offer their opinions, regardless of party affiliation and whether we endorse them or not. It is our hope the active engagement of the American people will produce a robust debate that will aid in the construction of a new American agenda.

There’s a catch or two though. Early on, many of the submissions were down right silly, as reported by the Washington Post’s Dana Milbank:

“End Child Labor Laws,” suggests one helpful participant. “We coddle children too much. They need to spend their youth in the factories.”

“How about if Congress actually do their job and VET or Usurper in Chief, Obama is NOT a Natural Born Citizen in any way,” recommends another. “That fake so called birth certificate is useless.”

“A ‘teacher’ told my child in class that dolphins were mammals and not fish!” a third complains. “And the same thing about whales! We need TRADITIONAL VALUES in all areas of education. If it swims in the water, it is a FISH. Period! End of Story.”

“Build a castle-style wall along the border, there is plenty of stone laying around about there.” That was in the “national security” section of the new site.

“Legalize Marijuana, cause, like, alcohol is legal. Man. Also.” That was in the “traditional values” section.

“I say, repeal all the amendments to the Constitution.” (“American prosperity” section.)

“Don’t let the illegals run out of Arizona and hide. . . . I think that we should do something to identify them in case they try to come back over. Like maybe tattoo a big scarlet ‘I’ on their chests — for ‘illegal’!!!” (Filed under “job creation.”)

Since then, the webmasters have been removing stuff like this, but they have, to their credit, not been removing popular ideas simply because they are contrary to GOP policy. For example, decriminalization of Marijuana is polling well:

The site doesn’t always function too well. We have been able to successfully submit ideas and they have been retained on the site. But when we try and cast votes, 9 times out of 10 the site “clocks” and we give up. We don’t know whether or not that malfunction is related to what we vote for. We haven’t wanted to lend any support to GOP platform planks in order to test it.

The problem with all this is that voluntary polls have no statistical meaning. The results on the site can’t be used to draw ANY statistically valid conclusions about the desires and opinions of the American public. And yet Roskam and the GOP say they want to use this information to determine what America wants. The submissions are heavily skewed toward the Conservative because the site has been promoted exclusively by Republicans. And the GOP has reserved the right to promote the ideas it chooses regardless of what America has to say on the site, according to reporting in the Washington Post:

“This isn’t ‘American Idol,’ ” said [Rep Kevin] McCarthy, adding that the top vote-getting idea on the site might not be adopted by the GOP. Referring to the party’s broader platform, he said, “we are in the process of creating ours, so it’s based upon our principles.”

So what America Speaking Out amounts to is a campaign gimmick. It creates noise in support of the GOP platform that allows the party to ignore statistically valid measures of public opinion while marketing their ideas to their base. And, ironically given their ant-spending rhetoric, this is all being done on the taxpayer’s dime. The money comes out of the Minority Leader’s budget and the GOP isn’t talking about how much this all cost us, despite all their protestations about transparency. So the taxpayers help fund the GOP campaign now so there’s more money left to spend on smear adds in October. Pretty clever in an evil sort of way. We think the site should be re-branded as “Republicans Speaking Out” to provide for truth in advertising.

Meanwhile the news from legitimate polls doesn’t indicate strong support for GOP plans:

  • On  the Bush tax cuts: The National Journal’s Congressional Connection poll of 7/22 found that only 30% of Americans believe that all of the Bush tax cuts should be extended. 58% believe that either all of the cuts, or those on the wealthy alone should be repealed.
  • On health care reform: The Kaiser Family Foundation poll found that 50% of Americans have a positive of the new health care law. Independent voters polled at 48% positive. Only 35% of Americans hold a negative view of the measure.
  • On stimulus spending for job creation:  According to a Gallup poll from June, a clear majority of Americans favor additional government spending aimed at creating jobs
  • On financial regulation: A Washington Post / ABC News poll in April found that Sixty-five percent of Americans backed proposals to rein in banks and the financial industry.
  • On offshore drilling: In a Pew Research Center poll in June, 52% of Americans indicated opposition to more offshore drilling
  • On global warming: A WSJ / NBC news poll taken in June found that Americans favored comprehensive energy and carbon pollution reduction legislation by 63 percent to 31 percent – a two to one margin – even if it meant an increase in the cost of energy.

So yes, America IS speaking out. But it appears that the GOP and Peter Roskam have gone deaf.


 

Representative John Shimkus Warns You to Back Big Coal or Die

On February 13, 2010, in Christianity, Coal Industry, Environment, Global Warming, John Shimkus, Peter Roskam, Religious Freedom, Utilities Industry, by RSR
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Another chipper Twitter message from Illinois’ 19th Distric Representative  John Shimkus, Big Coal’s guy in Washington, to his constituents: “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We continue to be bothered by Shimkus’ biblical tweeting, not because he is not within his rights to do so or because we don’t like Christians, but because we think it demonstrates profound insensitivity toward his constituents who are not followers of Christ. Shimkus was elected to represent all residents of his district, not just the Christians. His choice of passages continue to reflect, however, an attitude that his spiritual path is the only path with any legitimacy. Perhaps Shimkus could mix it up a bit. (Our Congressman, Shimkus’ buddy Peter Roskam, could sure use to hear some biblical wisdom on the practice of usury or on welcoming the stranger.)

Perhaps as troubling to us is that Shimkus is using his Christian religion to absolve himself from acknowleding the sound science that tells us that our continued dependence on fossil fuels is poisoning our environment threatening the possibility of leaving global ecological catastrophe as our legacy to our children and grandchildren. Shimkus’ warped theology gives him an out to keep on accepting big contributions from the electric utilities, oil and gas companies, and coal companies while using his vote in Congress to advance their interests rather than those of his constituents.

Don’t believe me? Have a peek at these videos U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment hearings in March, 2009 (preserved thanks to the outstanding progressive news site, Progress Illinois)

From the March 25, 2009 hearing of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, Shimkus’ openening remarks using Genesis 8 and Matthew 24 to reassure us that we don’t need to worry about climate change because the “infallible word of God” tells us that only God will end the world:

Shimkus’ later with Christopher Monckton endorsing Monckton’s ridiculous conclusion that we are a “carbon-starved” planet and that cap & trade will starve plants of their food. Bear in mind as you listen to this drivel  that, in the Cambrian era, during which Monckton asserts our present “carbon shortage” did not exist, the world was a much warmer place and complex life was not found on land.  Shimkus concludes by again stating his biblically-justified belief that the “earth will not be destroyed by a flood”:

And, to wrap it up, because we couldn’t resist, here are the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity’s Clean Coal Carolers doing “Frosty the Coal Man”. ACCCE is a coal and utility industry astroturf group that thought this might be a good idea:

By the way, we understand Shimkus has a Democratic opponent, Tim Bagwell. We don’t know too much about him but 19th District voters might want to check him out.

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Peter Roskam Breaks Campaign Promise to Invest in Renewable Energy

On October 26, 2009, in Energy, Global Warming, Peter Roskam, by RSR
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“I’m for expanding domestic energy production now and investing in renewables like wind and solar.”

That’s what Peter Roskam had to say in his first campaign ad of 2008.  And Roskam had this to say in July 2008:

“Soaring energy prices place an enormous financial weight on our family’s budget today, far greater than any time in this nation’s history,” said Roskam. “Energy costs now consume nearly one-fifth of the after-tax incomes of low and middle-class families – double that of just 10 years ago. It has come time for a national energy policy that places us on a path to independence. This is a common goal to all Americans – Republican and Democrat. For our economic security, our national security and environmental security we must be energy independent within the next 15 years.”

And this:

Your friends and neighbors, constituents of our 6th Congressional District, are common sense folks that understand the dire situation we face, and our great need to transform into a new energy economy. They also recognize that we can’t completely drill ourselves out of our energy woes, and instead move toward our energy future with an “all of the above” approach, leaving nothing on the table.

And this:

I understand that advancing America’s energy security, and working to bring down gas prices, will require a comprehensive approach that promotes responsible domestic energy production, increased conservation and efficiency standards, and robust research and development to expand the use and application of alternative energy sources.

Roskam was given a chance to stand behind his statements and keep his promise last Thursday when the House voted on H.R.3585 – Solar Technology Roadmap Act. Roskam voted no. He broke his promise.

H.R. 3585 seeks to develop a coherent solar energy development strategy through public private partnership and to provide focused public investments that are guided by that strategy or roadmap – the goal being to develop the U.S. solar energy industry and make it more competitive globally producing green jobs here at home and ultimately increasing our energy independence while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Speaker Pelosi supplies more detail on the bill:

  • Roadmap for Solar Research and Development: H.R. 3585 establishes a comprehensive roadmapping process for solar technology research, development, and demonstration activities conducted by the federal government in partnership with the private sector. The Secretary of Energy is also directed to award grants to carry out these programs on a merit-reviewed basis, and specifically to provide awards to industry-led consortia for RD&D in solar manufacturing. The roadmap provision is modeled on the successful National (now International) Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors, which has been instrumental in helping semiconductor technology advance rapidly over the past two decades.
  • Roadmap Committee Make Up: The Secretary must appoint a Solar Technology Roadmap Committee, comprised of at least 11 members, within four months of enactment of the Act. At least one-third but not more than half of the members of the Committee must come from the solar industry. The Secretary must also appoint a Committee chair, who shall not be a federal employee.
  • Timeline and Mandate of Committee: H.R. 3585 requires that the Committee create a Solar Technology Roadmap within eighteen months of enactment of the Act. The Roadmap will present the best current estimate of the near-term (up to two years), mid-term (up to seven years), and long-term (up to 15 years) RD&D needs in solar technology. It must also provide direct guidance for solar technology RD&D activities supported by the federal government. The bill requires that 30% of DOE solar RD&D funding in 2012 is pursuant to the recommendations of the Roadmap, ramping up to 75% in 2015. The Committee must update the Roadmap annually as needed, and comprehensively review and revise it every three years.
  • Photovoltaic Provisions: The Solar Technology Roadmap Act authorizes DOE to conduct at least 10 photovoltaic demonstration projects ranging from one-to-three megawatts in size and three-to-five solar projects greater than 30 megawatts in size. DOE is also required to study the performance of photovoltaic installations and identify opportunities to improve the energy productivity of these systems. In addition, DOE must establish a program of RD&D related to the reuse, recycling, and safe disposal of photovoltaic devices.
  • Dedicated Funding for Solar Research and Development: The bill authorizes $350 million for DOE to carry out these activities in FY 2011, rising to $550 million in FY 2015.

H.R. 3585 passed by a a vote of 310-106 with 63 Republican members joining 247 Democrats to make it a truly bipartisan bill. Republican Representative Michael McCaul of Texas had this to say in celebrating the bill’s passage:

The Solar Technology Roadmap Act has potential to be landmark legislation. It doubles the available research and development funding currently available. Further, it provides the collaboration that the professors at Stanford, the University of Texas and other leading institutions need to further their research so they can effectively harness the sun’s energy. The challenges they must overcome include storage, transportation and transmission of solar energy. I am hopeful this is the step that allows us to vastly expand America’s investment in research and development and commercialization of our solar industry.

Long-term, it will give us the ability to more efficiently heat and cool our homes and offices and operate equipment. Energy will cost less and the air we breathe will be cleaner.

Companies in high-tech centers such as Austin and Silicon Valley are in position to compete globally to produce this technology, creating jobs in the United States rather than export them.

Sadly, our own Republican Representative, Peter Roskam, thought it was more important to continue his political game of obstructing the Democratic legislative agenda than it was to support his promise to invest in alternative energy sources and help put our nation on the path to energy independence.

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Peter Roskam Sides with Polluters Over Planet – On the Wrong Side of History

On June 30, 2009, in Energy, Environment, Global Warming, Peter Roskam, Peter Roskam's Corporate Agenda, by RSR
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On Friday, June 26, the House of Representatives passed the historic Waxman-Markley comprehensive energy bill by a vote of 219 to 212. H.R. 2454, formally titled the American Clean energy and Security Act of 2009 includes a market-based cap & trade global warming reduction plan designed to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 17% by the year 2020. This is not where we need to be. It is thought that we will have to reduce emissions 80% by 2050 in order to stabilize the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere at a level that prevent the worst consequences of global warming. Still the bill is a start and it has won praise from environmental groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):

“The House of Representatives has made a dramatic breakthrough for America’s future by choosing to create jobs, move to clean energy, and reduce global warming pollution. The passage of this legislation, which was almost unimaginable six months ago, will help set our country in a new direction by shifting to a clean energy economy and reducing the carbon pollution that causes global warming.

“While passing the bill through the House took hard work and compromises on many sides, this is strong and vital legislation that Congress needs to deliver to the President’s desk this year. This bill will help create new jobs in manufacturing and clean technology. It will increase energy efficiency, help consumers save on energy bills, and protect lower-income families. And it will finally put our country on a course to limit the carbon pollution that causes global warming.

Sadly our own Congressman, Republican Peter Roskam, was not a party to that “hard work and compromise”. Roskam voted against the bill, choosing to support the narrow interests of his big campaign donors from the energy sector, who opposed the bill, rather than act to save the planet from an impending catastrophe that threatens the  welfare of our children and of generations to come.

OpenSecrets.org, a project of the Center for Responsive Politics, today released data demonstrating how the industries that have worked to oppose climate change legislation gave, on average, twice the amount of campaign contributions to legislators, Democrat and Republican alike, who, like Roskam, opposed the legislation, as they did to those voting in favor. The table below compares contributions received by industry for the average “yes” voter on H.R. 2454, the average, “no” voter, and for Peter Roskam. Bear in mind that while contributions are totaled back to 1989, Roskam has only been running since 2006.

Industry Yes Voters Avg No Voters Avg Roskam
Energy Sector $124,181 $274,021 $240,765
Oil & Gas $31,663 $120,566 $138,815
Electric utilities $67,013 $102,370 $73,800
Coal Mining $2,279 $12,004 $1,000
Construction $138,569 $241,079 $297,517
Automakers $10,603 $11,982 $0
Business PACs $1,380,210 $1,901,371 $,1529,147
Environmentalists $21,198 $3,088 $0
Alternative Energy $1,250 $869 $0

You can draw your own conclusions but in my estimation this speaks volumes about why Roskam votes as he does.

The climate bill will now have to be taken up by the Senate where the fight is likely to be even tougher than it was in the House. I predict that 6th District residents will be hearing a lot more lobbying against the bill by our Congressman.

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Peter Roskam’s 8 Part Plan to Halt Global Climate Change

On May 21, 2009, in Energy, Environment, Global Warming, Peter Roskam, by RSR
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roskam_plan

Peter Roskam has been conducting more of those taxpayer-funded dinnertime robo-calls, this time to roll out his new plan to address the threat of catastrophic global climate change.  You can expect to see a lot of Roskam around the district during the labor day recess, talking up his plan. RSR has a sneak preview for you.  The 8 part Roskam plan is staggeringly simple:

  1. Ignore it. Pretend global climate change does not present any threat.
  2. Burn more fossil fuels faster. Try not to be outpaced by China and India.
  3. Cut taxes on big business.
  4. Say no to anything President Obama or any Democrat in Congress proposes.
  5. Get reelected.
  6. Continue blind obedience to masters at U.S. Chamber and National Association of Manufacturers.
  7. Cut taxes on big business.
  8. Call Nancy Pelosi a threat to national security.

Jumping creepers, Peter, why didn’t we think of this.

Seriously Peter, saying no to anything anybody propses to address the problem of global climate change is not a plan.  If we listen to you, we’re all screwed.  You who would put the narrow  interests  of your corporate campaign contributors ahead of saving the planet – for your children.

Cap & trade may not be perfect and it isn’t going to solve all of our problems, but it is a start, a step in the right direction.  It may very well be expensive for us all. But nobody said saving the planet was going to be cheap. Its just something we have to do.

If you don’t want to do cap & trade, then you tell us how you’re going to save the planet, not just how you are going to save your donors on their taxes.  Put up or shut up.

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Peter Roskam’s Lousy Environmental Record

On April 28, 2008, in Environment, Global Warming, by RSR
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“Throughout my life, I have been a consistent voice for preserving and promoting the environment. We all have to live and breathe the same air and drink the same water. We all want open space, vibrant wildlife and a healthy ecosystem. My dedication to the environment dates back to the 1980′s when my wife and I organized a curbside recycling program in my hometown of Wheaton, one that continues to this day.”

Peter Roskam, from his campaign website

Curbside recycling to protect the vibrant wildlife and healthy ecosystem of Wheaton. Isn’t that special.

Peter Roskam is fond of portraying himself as an environmentalist, but a close look at his record since coming to Congress paints a different picture.

The League of Conservation Voters last month released its 2007 National Environmental Scorecard. The scorecard, which has been produced every year since 1970, assesses members of Congress based upon their voting records on legislation related to the environment, clean energy, and global warming.

One would think that Roskam, with his “dedication to the environment” would have scored pretty high.

In fact, he did not. Truth is, Roskam’s score was was quite poor, a miserable 15%.

How did Roskam score so low? Essentially by doing what he always does – voting according to the wishes of the oil companies and other big corporations that fund his campaigns and whose interests he places above anything else. The full list of Roskam’s votes scored by the League is here.

Most notably, perhaps, Roskam voted against the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, H.R. 6, on 12/6/2007 . This bill raised Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for automobiles to 35 mpg by 2020, increased fuel efficiency standards for a variety of household appliances and industrial equipment, and promoted the production of clean renewable fuels. Roskam and other Republicans opposed the bill because of Democratic efforts to make it budget neutral by reimposing taxes on big oil companies previously cut by the Bush administration and also because it imposed a renewable sources requirement of 15% for utilities in power generation. It later passed and was signed into law with these provisions stripped out. Roskam has received substantial campaign contributions during the present cycle from both the electric utilities and oil and gas industries.

We are facing environmental catastrophe in the coming century and we cannot afford to retain legislators who resist efforts to promote change out of concern for corporate profits. Roskam must be shown the door this fall. Curbside recycling in Wheaton isn’t going to save this planet for our children.

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