See your future: A personal carbon tax in UK

I rarely comment on UK politics even though I follow them out of pure entertainment value. Frankly, there is nothing better than listening to Prime Ministers Questions and would love to see the President of the US have to answer to the legislature in the same way. But in today's Telegraph (via Drudgereport), this article entitled "Everyone in Britain could be given 'Carbon Allowance'" was too much to pass us:

Lord Smith of Finsbury believes that implementing individual carbon allowances for every person will be the most effective way of meeting the targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

It would involve people being issued with a unique number which they would hand over when purchasing products that contribute to their carbon footprint, such as fuel, airline tickets and electricity.

It is clear that the Mr Smith believes that his proposal is reasonable. But any normal person would look at it as downright scary. The biggest goal of the environmental movement has never been to save the environment, it is to control the actions of others. William F Buckley once said that "a liberal is someone who wants to reach into your shower and adjust the temperature of the water".

And if you are sitting in your home or office in New Jersey and do not realize that kind of controls mentioned in this article are not going to impact you, go and read the Cap and Trade legislation that was passed by the House not too long ago. And realize that when you eventually get your "benign" statement declaring how much carbon you are using, it will be accompanied with an invoice. Don't believe me? How about this one much closer to home:

The bill states every home owner will receive an energy audit. What is a home energy audit? It is an intrusive visit made by the bureaucrats at the Home Energy Team or a similar group. They will examine and report the way you live your life directly to RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) . Light fixtures, socket types, spas, hot tubs, windows, appliances, walls and roofs will all be under review. Energy tests will be conducted throughout your house. At the end of the visit you will receive a report and a rating. The report will focus on the changes you need to make and the rating is called a HERS rating (Home Energy Rating System). RESNET will perform the audits through authorized contractors. RESNET has adopted the Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards. The standards set the national procedures for home energy ratings.

This will not end until the citizens of this state and country say ENOUGH.

You can read the entire Examiner article here.

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Arguments, Liberals and the Health Care Debate

This afternoon I stumbled across an excellent article entitled "Argument Writing for Liberals 101" written by Garrett Baldwin. The article discusses blogs, free speech and a recent attack the writer received from a reader:

On Monday, I received my first piece of ‘hate mail’. It was a riveting diatribe exploring the unprogressive complexities of my posting on George Bush and Barack Obama. The writer’s argument exemplified my problem with anonymous writing. The critic failed to grasp any core part of the argument, and instead just attacked my individual personality. You might call that form of argument Rule 12 for Radicals.

The note reads (sic:)

“Your a [complete] idiot. What did you do, steal a bunch of quotes from Rush Limbaugh and tie them together? Your just another racist repug and your pissed that Barrack Obama’s in the White house. Your side had 8 years and Bush destroyed the economy. Just leave the (sic:) distict of Columbia. No one wants you here. CONSERVATISM IS DEAD GET OVER IT!!!”

Mr Baldwin then proceeds to assist the writer with recommendations on how they might improve their attack on his position. He begins with Grammar:

Part One: Megan’s Basics

1) Spelling: Barack Obama only has one ‘R’ in his name, and you have probably written, read and screamed his name in adulation at least 30 times a day since mid-2007. The fact that you are unable to remember this spelling is troubling. Maybe it was because you took the ‘R’ out of District (sic: distict of Columbia) and gave it to your president’s name. No worries, you’re just maintaining the Joe the Plumber spirit, right? Spread the letters around.

2) You’re and Your: I cannot even remember how far back I would have to go to remember when I learned this basic rule of grammar. Probably at a time when I was unaware there was a President outside of George Washington, and my principal dressed up as Christopher Columbus on Columbus Day. That was in the mid- to late-1980s. Even if you forget this rule, Megan, you own a machine that has a grammar checking device. You typed that attack, yet you seemed incapable of hitting F7.

3) Spelling Numbers: In long form writing, spell numbers zero to nine. After 10, you may use numerals.

4) Commas: Commas are needed before every use of the word ‘and’ in your statement. Each of your clauses has a noun and a verb, which means that each can stand on its own.

He then goes on to discuss how to present ones thesis and how to support it thoroughly. In addition, he uses the health care debate to demonstrate how to do it well. All while attempting to assist his critic while maintaining a self deprecating tone.

Rebut the central argument of the opposition

This is my favorite paragraph, because you get to attack the other person’s argument… not the person, which is what the liberal would prefer. All you need is some logic, and their arguments fall apart.

In this paragraph, I would take a swing at Obama and Pelosi’s reasons for trying to railroad through this bill. Right away, I might say, “Pelosi argues that this reform is essential because she claims that she has the support of the American people, and there is an immediate need to insure 46 million people without proper care options.”
So I attack, with a great big, “HOWEVER”, Pelosi’s argument is flawed because…

She does not have support of Americans as the polling data continues to plummet and Americans are opposed to Congress’ actions since January.’ Americans who favor this plan trail 46 to 49 percent, according to polls released today. I would cite this data.

Furthermore, I could attack her almost arbitrary figure of ‘46 million uninsured’ who do not have access to healthcare, a fact which the Heritage Foundation has systematically proven to include 12 million illegal immigrants who do not pay taxes, nearly 10 million people who can afford healthcare, but refuse to purchase it, and millions more who have enrollment options but utilize Medicare and Medicaid.

And then there’s the people who are dead but are still being counted.

Just like that, I have seriously damaged Pelosi’s reasons and evidence for passing healthcare so swiftly.

In the Garrett Baldwin is a complete idiot, argument, Megan does not rebut anything I wrote in my article about Bush and Obama’s deficit spending. But, she could try to make some sort of logical argument that Garrett claims to not be a complete idiot, however... Then she would attack my claim with further evidence that might damage my argument, thus making me look foolish.

She fails to do any of these things. Instead she demands that I should leave the (sic: ) ‘distict of Columbia’, which I am assuming is a band.

This is a must read article. Read the entire article here.

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Arlen Specter and NJ

Republicans and Conservatives are up in arms over Arlen Specter's defection to the Democrat party. My first impression is that I am not surprised. Specter has made a habit of using his "moderate" mantle to horsetrade for his own political base. And I am okay with that. What bothers me is his "holier than thou" approach to his current situation.

Here is the deal:

1. He has long been a conservative at election time and a liberal in the senate
2. He has never espoused any semblance of fiscal responsibility
3. He had been supported by the National GOP up to right now

So his response when things are looking bleak in the polls-defect. Ok.

But this isn't an indictment of conservative policies. The Republican party has the right and duty to promote politicians who agree with their principles. If members stray, they also have the right to disagree.

But Specter seems to believe that he has an entitlement to Republican support. He doesn't. Nor does any politician. Evidence? See Specter's announcement today.

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Is it Liberals or Conservatives who are unhinged?

While the mainsream media has been throwing a hissy fit because a spectator at a McCain rally called him Hussein. We have heard plenty about that. But what about the everyday reaction from Democrats and Liberals? Michelle Malkin has an excellent story about the flip side. The venom from this crowd is disgusting.

Read Michelle's article here and decide for yourself.

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The party that is going to bring people together!

We heard about how Republicans were whipping crowds up into a frenzy. The pundits kept saying how dangerous that would be. This video shows the real party of intolerance. I wonder if Obama will renounce these people. Yes Mr Obama, they are speaking in YOUR NAME. Somehow, I don't think so.

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