"Instead of idly debating the precise extent of global warming, ... we need to deal with the central facts of rising temperatures, rising waters, and all the endless troubles that global warming will bring. We stand warned by serious and credible scientists across the world that time is short and the dangers are great. The most relevant question now is whether our own government is equal to the challenge."
With that, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain threw his support - again - to a complex government program to reduce carbon emissions. He claims he can do this, without causing economic hardship, by using the power of the free market. As The Wall Street Journal commented, "His plan is 'market based' insofar as it requires an expensive, invasive government bureaucracy to interfere with the market."
McCain's cap-and-trade system would have a bureaucracy set a limit for CO2 emissions and auction tradable permits to carbon-emitting companies.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=196706&s
McCain says the revenue would be "put to good use." Specifically, "We will add to current federal efforts to develop promising technologies. ... We will also establish clear standards in government-funded research, to make sure that funding is effective and focused on the right goals."
We've heard that before. You'd think McCain would have learned that government isn't cut out for this sort of thing.
Hmmmm.... he sounds like someone I heard before.... like Al Gore?