Fantasy Energy Policies

A Meeting with our Congressman
by
John McClaughry

            Last week I had occasion to be in a meeting featuring Congressman Peter Welch. Now I will make this confession: I have known Peter since 1974. I like him. I believe he is intelligent and honest.
            Having said that, let me report on the meeting. Peter spent a few minutes speaking to the energy issue. The energy program of his party is to raise taxes on fossil fuels, raise taxes on oil companies, promote drilling in places where there isn’t any oil, prohibit drilling in places where there is oil, and prosecute King Abdullah under the Sherman antitrust act. Not a very promising program, if you ask me.

So I asked Peter, “Now you’re a trial lawyer. Tell me how you’re going to get King Abdullah into a federal court to answer to price fixing charges. Whose army are you going to use to bring him in?”
            Peter replied that OPEC was of course engaged in price fixing, and there was a real possibility that America’s antitrust law could or ought to be extended to cover petroleum price fixing foreign governments. But then he added, “Of course there was a lot of symbolism in that bill.”
            Yeah, symbolism. Symbolism of the Democratic Party’s total irrelevance on energy issues. Are intelligent Vermonters expected to respect their Congressman and his party for engaging in this absurd symbolism?
            Well, my answer is No. I want my Congressman to speak straightforwardly and courageously to the real issues that affect Vermonters and Americans. I may think that most of the Democratic Party’s energy prescriptions range from foolish to dangerous – and I do – but I can respect honest advocacy of policies I don’t agree with.
             But do us a favor, Peter: next time your Party offers up a goofy measure like this one, summon the courage to stand up and say, “Look, this foolishness is an embarrassment. Let’s can this silly stuff and do what Adlai Stevenson advised us to do: talk sense to the American people. My vote is no.”
            I hope the day soon comes when Peter Welch summons the courage to make a speech like that.

John McClaughry is President of the Ethan Allen Institute.

Comments

[Jim Gatti]

I hope so too, but I am willing to bet that pigs will fly before that happens.

[Lazaurs Long]

Don't bet the farm on that day coming soon.

[Mark]

As to when and if Mr. Welch will ever summon up the courage to make that speech.....don't hold your breath, John.
Even the most casual observer might recognize the liberal stand on many issues as fluff; symbolism may be pretty, but it doesn't accomplish much...