…to ethanol subsidies:
If Republicans fail to take action on ethanol, it will demonstrate the shallowness of their commitment to limiting government largesse and give credence to arguments that Republicans are only for less government when it’s good for special interests.
And once again confirming the reason that I’m always reluctant to vote for them, and always wish I had other, better choices. And they don’t even have to take action — inaction will suffice.
[Update a couple minutes later]
I would also note that Al Gore’s volte face on the issue is probably more indicative of the fact that he’s no longer seeking votes in Tennessee or Iowa, and a newfound allegiance to other biofuels, than any newfound allegiance to the market.
Al Gore is on the Board of Directors of Venture Capital firms (Kliener Perkins) that have substantial start up funds invested in ‘green’ energy initiatives. He has/had the political clout to influence govt ‘investment’ or directed business to these firms. He’s now lobbying for Biofuels Release 2.0 govt money. THIS time they’ll get it right. NOT.
“Government mandates and tax subsidies for ethanol have led to decreased gas mileage, adversely effected the environment and increased food prices. Washington must stop picking winners and losers in the market, and instead allow Americans to make choices for themselves.”
Wouldn’t it be stunning if the same type of logic was applied to NASA’s budgeting?
We can hope that Republicans will take action against the ethanol subsidies, but part of the problem is that Chuck Grassley has an R after his name. And since he’s from here in Iowa, he knows that it would be career suicide to start dismantling the subsidies that keep farmers growing corn in his home state.
At least, I can only assume that’s why he continues to keep all of the farm subsidies in place year after year. He’s pretty much a RINO on almost every issue other than abortion, it seems.
With Vilsack as Sec. of Agriculture, also from Iowa, I have a sneaking suspicion that any attempts to bring sanity to the table with regards to ethanol subsidies will be met with strong “bipartisan” opposition.