Sanders' Dubious Climate Plan [semi-satire]

Semi-News/Semi-Satire ^ | 17 Nov 2019 | John Semmens

[John Semmens]

Now in fourth place among the Democrats vying for the Party's 2020 presidential nomination, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders hopes his $16 trillion plan to mitigate global warming will revive his flagging campaign. The gist of his plan is to expropriate private sector energy companies and use the ill-gotten gains to foster a government-owned alternative energy "ministry." The target is to have 100% of the United States energy needs met from wind, solar, hydropower or geothermal energy by the year 2030.

Sanders rebuffed claims that the notorious inefficiency and ineffectiveness of government would undermine his plan, pointing out that "the expected shortfall in meeting demand is a feature, not a flaw, of the plan. We got into this climate mess by catering to unconstrained desires for comfort and mobility. The free market abetted these unreasonable demands by contriving schemes to increase supply and decrease costs. My plan will end this vicious circle. When supply is unavailable consumers will be compelled to cut back."

Whether solar-powered high-speed rail or mass transit is even feasible seems a major drawback in Sanders' attempt to reshape how Americans would live under his presidency. Sanders, though, remained unfazed, suggesting that "travelers could pack a snack or bring a magazine to read to deal with occasions when the trains or buses are slowed down by cloudy weather or darkness. People in other socialist countries have learned to be patient, I don't see why Americans should fear they can't adapt."

Of course, Sanders' advice to pack a snack is not without potential risk to the traveler. In San Francisco four City cops cuffed and arrested Steve Foster for the crime of eating a sandwich at a Bay Area Rapid Transit station. One of the arresting officers informed Foster that "it's a violation of California law. I have the right to detain you. You're going to jail."

if you missed any of this week's other semi-news/semi-satire posts you can find them at...

http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,382708.0.html

[kallisti]

Nice SF tie-in at the end.