Goldberg should note that the winner of the Iowa Caucuses was the one candidate who opposed ethanol subsidies.
I call them corn whores.
Either ethanol as a viable substitute or additive is economically feasible, or it is not. There is no middle ground here. We have had ethanol subsides for YEARS and all that crap does to engines is rot seals, hoses and gaskets; corrodes metals in older engines; RUINS O2 sensors and ADDS expense to gasoline we are FORCED to put in our cars and trucks.
Corn Whores.
This is a huge issue, or should be.
On one hand we’re told there’s chronic world hunger, and yet we are compelled to put corn in the gas tank instead of people’s stomach.
Plus is IS stupid for the reasons outlined in the above article.
And while we’re at it, let’s kill this “regionally-formulated gasoline” BS; only a government moron could possible come up with something so friggin’ stupid.
The only legitimate reason I could see for the ethanol subsidies was to create the infrastructure we’ll need when we have the cellulose-based ethanol production working.
Problem is - we still don’t have the cellulose-based ethanol production working.
I have a couple of 60+ year old tractors, various dirt bikes for the kids, a variety of lawn mowers, chain saws, and weed wackers. All of these are being destroyed by the crap that they sell as "gasoline".
My circa 1954 Massey-Harris Pacer was produced in very small numbers. Replacement parts are simply not available. The engine was made by Continental: A company that has been out of business for 40 or 50 years.
Ethanol is costing us our history by destroying vintage cars and machines.
I looked at the headline/title .... “Why Now is the Right Time to Talk About Ethanol” and thought .... what a ridiculous statement. NOW? With all that’s going on in the world NOW, and the election of all elections, just around the corner, NOW is the Right Time to Talk About Ethanol?
Then I saw “Jonah Goldberg” and I understood. That MORON is trying to change the subject since his #NeverTrump status has probably all but ruined his career.
Did I read it? Of course not. WHY would I believe ANYTHING this douchebag has to say?
FUJG
I blame George W. Bush.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Policy_Act_of_2005
That and Medicare Part D.
Welfare for farmers.
I pay $0.40 more per gallon for unadulterated gasoline.
You shouldn’t have to pay more for unadulterated gasoline.
Anyone who want to purchase adulterated gas should be free to do so. Anyone who doesn’t should be free to do so as well, without paying a penalty.
Let the free market decide between adulterated and unadulterated gasoline.
Clearly we should switch to Brawndo, it’s got what engines crave. It’s got electrolytes.
In Tennessee we make ethanol and age it in charred oak barrels
it is sold as Jack Daniels black label
Not this crap again! My position on this has never changed - what people call ethanol subsidies is simply not taxing it as petroleum motor fuels. If not taxing something is a subsidy then I wish wed subsidize everything. This means everyone that pays anything but the top tax rate is subsidized. This logic says that clothes purchases with no sales tax are subsidies. Ad nauseam.
Plus a note to Jonas - how totally irrelevant are you writing about ethanol in the middle of a battle for the soul and sovereignty of the USA? Ivory tower conservatism is as useless as nipples on a bull.
Sure, Jonah, with issues such as the poor economy, illegal immigration, terrorism and national security, the voters in the presidential election should turn their thoughts to ethanol.
Enough, one clean blend, make it fungible or did all the wonks mandating this never take Econ 101-102...
Methanol from cellulose (or biomass) is the way to go. It can be mixed with ethanol and used in its pure form or blended with gasoline. Biomass is out of the human food chain, inexpensive (such as wood fiber and corn stover) and with the new technology, the methanol yield per ton of fiber could make America energy independent. Methanol can also be made from coal and natural gas. For a good treatment of the energy challenge to independence, here is what Dr. Robert Zubrin writes:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/sci.energy/EakceSO5TNU
Now? That's because you want to create an enormous distraction to the main issues going on in this country.
By comparison with everything else, ethanol is a nuissance issue. Yes, it's wrapped up in the uniparty/globalist/k-street control of the U.S. Government. But that is the issue, not ethanol.
No one is going to win this presidency taking a strong stand on ethanol, either side of the issue.
I just tried a tank of no-ethenol unleaded and got +3 MPG over my usual gas.