Wednesday, February 27, 2019
The president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce writes that the Green New Deal—a sweeping proposal to “save the planet,” is no laughing matter since the legislation’s ultimate objective is to give government unprecedented power over people’s lives and the entire economy.
Chamber CEO Thomas J. Donohue notes that, among other “modest” goals, authors of the Green New Deal intend to eliminate fossil fuels altogether. “Good luck to the 3.4 million Americans who would lose their jobs as a result—not to mention anyone who drives a car. But the dream of making fossil fuel go the way of the dinosaur is hardly the most absurd element of this program.” While not in the legislation, the bill’s early background documents outlined plans to eliminate air travel and even get rid of cow flatulence.
Donohue reviews that other aspects of the Green New Deal seem wildly out of place for an environmental resolution. “Consider the promise of massive new entitlement programs that could only be achieved through a radical redistribution of wealth. Here, the proposal shows its true colors. This is not some run-of-the-mill progressive policy—it is a Trojan Horse for socialism.”
He adds that the legislation aims to upend the entire U.S. economic system, wresting consumer choice from everyday Americans and putting personal decisions—from individual food preferences to the vehicles driven—in the hands of an unelected elite. “A program like this would be the death knell of innovation,” Donohue asserts. “Our small business owners and entrepreneurs would be crushed under the enormous costs and bureaucratic inefficiencies of a socialized economy.”
However, Donohue points out there is another path—a better path—the path of free enterprise. “It is the path we have walked since our nation’s founding and the path that has led to the greatest technological achievements in all of human history,” he maintains. “While socialism stifles creativity and genius, free enterprise draws upon these gifts to address our most pressing problems—including climate change. Already, businesses are investing billions to make our environment cleaner, and they plan to invest much more. Now is the time to foster research and development, not squelch it.”
(SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, February 25, 2019)
Chamber CEO Thomas J. Donohue notes that, among other “modest” goals, authors of the Green New Deal intend to eliminate fossil fuels altogether. “Good luck to the 3.4 million Americans who would lose their jobs as a result—not to mention anyone who drives a car. But the dream of making fossil fuel go the way of the dinosaur is hardly the most absurd element of this program.” While not in the legislation, the bill’s early background documents outlined plans to eliminate air travel and even get rid of cow flatulence.
Donohue reviews that other aspects of the Green New Deal seem wildly out of place for an environmental resolution. “Consider the promise of massive new entitlement programs that could only be achieved through a radical redistribution of wealth. Here, the proposal shows its true colors. This is not some run-of-the-mill progressive policy—it is a Trojan Horse for socialism.”
He adds that the legislation aims to upend the entire U.S. economic system, wresting consumer choice from everyday Americans and putting personal decisions—from individual food preferences to the vehicles driven—in the hands of an unelected elite. “A program like this would be the death knell of innovation,” Donohue asserts. “Our small business owners and entrepreneurs would be crushed under the enormous costs and bureaucratic inefficiencies of a socialized economy.”
However, Donohue points out there is another path—a better path—the path of free enterprise. “It is the path we have walked since our nation’s founding and the path that has led to the greatest technological achievements in all of human history,” he maintains. “While socialism stifles creativity and genius, free enterprise draws upon these gifts to address our most pressing problems—including climate change. Already, businesses are investing billions to make our environment cleaner, and they plan to invest much more. Now is the time to foster research and development, not squelch it.”
(SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, February 25, 2019)
