Posted on 06/07/2008 5:52:18 PM PDT by vrwc54
As this weeks debate on climate change has unfolded, the American people and those watching us around the world had every reason to hope that we would act. Every credible scientist and expert believes action is necessary. This is critical and long overdue legislation that represents a good first step in addressing one of the most serious problems facing our generation.
Like many of my Senate colleagues, I believe the legislation could have been made even better. Had there been a substantive Senate debate about some of the concerns with this bill, I believe the outcome could have generated broad support. It certainly would have received my support.
Unfortunately, the Republican leadership in the Senate has chosen to block progress, rather than work in a good faith manner to address this challenge. This is a failure of our politics and a failure of leadership a President who for years denied the problem, and a Republican nominee, John McCain, who claims leadership on the issue but opposes this bipartisan bill.
We cant afford more of the same timid politics when the future of our planet is at stake. We are already breaking records with the intensity of our storms, the number of forest fires, and the periods of drought. By 2050, famine could force more than 250 million from their homes. And if we do nothing, sea levels will rise high enough to swallow large portions of every coastal city and town.
This bipartisan legislation establishes an economy-wide cap on greenhouse gas emissions. It helps states, cities, and towns invest in technologies to reduce energy bills for homeowners, increase energy efficiency, construct green buildings, and expand public transit. It invests in green technology to help our automakers to retool and our fossil-fuel industries to become clean. The bill provides real financial relief to working families. Importantly, the bill restores our great nations international leadership role, while including provisions to ensure that all major emitting nations also take serious action to solve this global problem.
Let me be clear, this bill is not perfect. Emissions reductions must reflect the scientific consensus, which are reductions of at least 80 percent 2050. We must ensure that more middle-class families reap more of the financial benefits created by this bill. And we must direct greater resources to the regions of the country that will bear the brunt of this critical transition to a clean energy economy.
I believe that the American people are ready to lead the world on this issue. The time for distractions, divisions, and excuses is over. The time for new coalitions, informed and civil debate, and a sense of shared purpose is long overdue. As president, I am committed to ensuring that our children and our childrens children can point to this generation as the time when American found its way again.
"Listen to this, Hillary.....
"As President, I am..."
"As President, I am..."
"As President, I am..."
Who’s received what from the energy companies?
http://www.americanprogressaction.org/issues/2008/campaigncontrobutions.html
Every scientist and expert who believes action is necessary is credible.
Petitio Quæsiti
If the cities under water don't alarm you enough, maybe this will:
I'm under the impression that McCain publicized a letter saying that, had he been on the floor, he would've voted for the measure.
What about the 30,000 scientists that signed a letter a month or so ago saying it was NOT a given about GW? What he is calling creditable should read grant receivers, UN money scientists.
As far as the ocean encroaching, it could happen, eventually, because it has happened before without the aid of man made emissions. But it would take a few thousand years or so.
This chicken little mindset has got to go.
vaudine
“Every credible scientist and expert believes action is necessary.”
He wouldn’t know a credible scientist if it bit him in the posterior! He has more brass than P.T. Barnum, and unfortunately he’s playing to the same audience that Barnum did.
This is NOT a reason to decide between candidates.
McCain is the virtually the same as Obama on climate change. The predecessor to Warner-Lieberman was the Lieberman-McCain Climate Stewardship Act. (It failed 43 to 55 in 2003).
I don’t get alarmed much these days, I have the wisdom to understand what I can or can’t change. And I can’t change the Democrat or Republican nominees, both of whom are AGW idiots.
If you guessed you...
You're RIGHT!
What a disgusting liar...
A mind is such a terrible thing to waste!
In Obama’s statement 3rd paragraph, last sentence - he says that McCain opposes this bi-partisan bill.
I’m going to vote for the lesser of two idiots.
I guess I didn’t realize how up front he was with wanting a cap and trade. I tried reading his plan on his website. Maybe it is the same minus the fear-mongering???? We’re sunk.
Yesterday Senator Reid claimed he had a letter supporting the bill that included John McCain's signature.
So, who is lying -- Senator Reid or Barack Obama.
(Hint: It's a trick question)
Hmmm...do the libs want this or not?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.