It’s not the tax breaks that are troublesome, as much as the mandate: FORCING AT THE POINT OF A GUN (that’s what laws are, after all) that we MUST use ethanol in our vehicles.
That does not foster market driven energy independence. Just the opposite, in fact. It creates artificial demand.
And what Trump vocally supported here — and Cruz opposes — is an upcoming increase in the percentage of ethanol in the blend that the EPA has mandated must occur.
And it’s not done in the name of reducing our dependence on foreign oil. It’s done in the name of the pagan earth worship called “climate change”.
Support for free market ethanol is a conservative position. Support for mandated ethanol is anything but.
While you may applaud Trump for desiring to reduce our dependence on OPEC and prevent war in the Mideast, and I’m sure you really believe that in your heart — the Occam’s Razor explanation for Trump’s position is that he is simply pandering to voters in the #1 state that benefits from ethanol production.
And for the record — I live in an “oil state”, and I am very much AGAINST subsidies to the oil industry.
Ted Cruz has also gone on record opposing ALL energy subsidies — not just ethanol.
That, my FRiend, is a CONSERVATIVE position!
FRegards
I’m going to disagree, NT, because national security IS a conservative position.
We specifically give contracts to the air industry, the ship industry, the auto industry, the tech industry, etc. to design and develop wartime ships, planes, vehicles, tanks, etc.
To put a simple tax break into place to encourage American independence is a great trade-off in my book. And it’s pennies compared to those other industries.
I believe the mandate’s only good result is that it’s forcing engine producers to change the type of plastics in use so they are compatible with other fuel types.
My understanding is that one of the real directions for clean coal is methanol. With Trump’s support for all forms of energy, and his huge support for coal, and our hundreds of years proven reserves of coal, I know where this is going.
THANK YOU!! Best post here. I was loosing all faith in FR before that!