Back Talk

In one of his long self-serving speeches, he informed the U.S. and other industrialized nations what they should do to combat global warming with the following remarks: "We just have to slow down our economy and cut back our greenhouse gas emissions 'cause we have to save the planet for our grandchildren." To say that this is an odd suggestion at a time when the country and the world are concerned about a possible recession is the mother of understatements. Put the brakes on our economy at a time when the Federal Reserve has just cut the interest rate two times to protect the economy? What does “slow down the economy” translate to in rational terms? It means we would have a lower living standard, more concern about how much we spend for groceries, rent, and things such as transportation. Spend less on entertainment and cancel vacations. Some of us will lose our jobs because of the general domino effect upon businesses of the general fall-off of activity, growth, and decreased capital spending. Yes, Willie, that’s a super idea. Not to worry though; if the Democrats gain power in November, they will raise taxes, increase spending for welfare, social programs, and earmarks, toughen restrictions on business, take money out of the pockets of consumers and investors by allowing Bush’s tax cuts to expire, and we will go into a recession. All those jobless people won’t be out there committing commerce, creating carbon dioxide, and adding to global warming. Of course, they will have to drive to and from the welfare office.