Southern Democrats called Abraham Lincoln a “sooty and scoundrelly abolitionist.” Winston Churchill was called a “fanatic” in his relentless effort to warn the world of Hitler’s evil intents in the early 1930’s. The Pharisees called Christ “demon possessed” and a drunkard.So I guess the recent tactics of Iowa State Senator Joe Bolkcom shouldn’t surprise me. In his recent editorial, Sen. Bolkcom resorted to calling Iowans who belong to Tea Party groups “fanatics,” “uninformed puppets” and “terrorists.” He also implied we were insane by not believing that age-old mantra of his party that government spending is the cure-all for any economic woes our country might encounter.
Sen. Bolkcom’s contorted logic is typical of his party as he accuses people who want the government to live within its means and Constitutional parameters (like non-government individuals and actual businesses in the real market place have to) as “dedicated to busting the economy.” Facts and economic principles are brushed aside by Sen. Bolkcom. Facts like the government’s mandate that banks go against sound lending principles and must lend money to borrowers whose credit was risky (Community Reinvestment Act, and other government regulatory legislation) are totally disregarded as to why the housing market went belly up.
We “fanatics” happen to believe leaving huge debt for your descendants (for multiple generations) is irresponsible and immoral. Because of our willingness to acknowledge these hard economic truths and a belief in America’s founding principles, Sen. Bolkcom says we are the “biggest threat to your job, your children’s future, and your own retirement.” No, we simply understand the basic laws of economics– that if you spend more than you make, you get yourselves into deep trouble. Who’s the real threat here? I’d say it is Sen. Bolkcom and men like him.
And herein lies the rub: Sen. Bolkcom’s socialist viewpoints collide with many other Americans who believe we own the money we make. True to his socialistic ideology, Sen. Bolkcom believes whatever money is generated in America belongs first to the government, so they can benevolently decide where to spend it in education, our health care, keeping the ozone layer intact, etc. Then they will allot to us whatever is left over. Another belief: anyone who makes more money than they do is the villain and the government bureaucrat “trying to redistribute the wealth” is the saint.
Just as Hitler said the Nazi’s “final goal was a radical reformation of Germany by legal means,” so too do politicians in Sen. Bolkcom’s camp mean to “radically transform America” using whatever means are at their disposal. So when Constitutionally-revering, patriotic Americans stand up to the likes of people like Sen. Bolkcom, they (Sen. Bolkcom and company) resort to name-calling, demonizing us and distorting the facts which shows how desperate they have become. Intellectual honesty, analyzing facts, and logically winning the argument are not in their repertoire. Maybe people who are called such names should simply wear it as a badge of honor, knowing that once again, history will bear out that people like Joe Bolkcom are on the wrong side of the issue.
Tammy Kobza
Sheldon Tea Party Patriots
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) upcoming air pollution regulation revisions are creating a bit of a stir both in the energy industry and in Congress. The emissions that would fall under more stringent limits are ozone, mercury, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide; coal ash waste; and water used to cool facilities that generate electricity.
Many see the new scheme as one that will unduly burden the power industry, even forcing shut downs of numerous coal-fired plants altogether. Estimated costs of compliance for utility companies are up to $129 billion, with a reduction of up to 81,000 megawatts of electricity generation. Then there’s the jobs at stake. A Commerce Department analysis predicted a loss of 60,000 jobs due to the EPA’s rulings.
With 45 percent of America’s electricity being coal-fired — a resource that is abundant and cheap with at least a 200-year supply available in the States — these new EPA regulations seem a direct attack on not only the power companies, but on consumers. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation, which is responsible for the reliability of the electric system warns that over-regulation of fossil-fueled electricity generation will make it difficult for companies to meet electric demand. 
There are at least three proposed bills that could rein in the EPA on this. One is H.R.910, the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011, which has already been approved by the House in a 255-172 vote, and was referred to the Senate. Many claim it has no chance of passing the Democratic-controlled chamber.
Another is H.R. 2018, the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011, “To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act” which also passed the House 239-184 and was referred to the Senate. Many claim that this one, too, will not pass the full Senate.
And then there’s the REINS Act, S. 299, the Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2011, introduced by Sen. Rand Paul, (R-Ky.). Not specifically tailored for the EPA, this bill would rein in all unaccountable federal agencies. Cosponsored by Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.), it would require Congressional approval of any interim or final regulation from the Executive Branch bureaucracy that costs more than $100 million per year or that excessively increases costs or prices or has “significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or U.S. competitiveness.” This popular measure already has 28 sponsors and hearings completed. There is a companion bill in the House, H.R. 10, that has garnered 159 cosponsors.
House Republicans and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) have vowed to bring up bills after the summer recess that would repeal or restrict federal regulations, and Cantor intends on starting with a proposal to delay the implementation of these new EPA rules. But we can do better than just delay the rules.
Contact your Senators and Representative and get them to support and pass this common-sense legislation that would REIN in the damaging effects to our utilities, the economy and jobs by a host of unelected czars and their bureaucratic agencies. Make specific mention of the EPA as one of the most out-of-control and draconian agencies within the federal government that needs to be relieved of its regulating power. And pressure the Senate into taking action on the already-passed House bills.
Thanks,
Your friends at The John Birch Society