When small men begin to cast big shadows,
it means that the sun is about to set
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Senate Approves Keystone Pipeline Project With Democrat Votes: Thumbs UP!
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(Reason). Taking candy from a baby is easy. Taking sugar from a senator? Not so much.
It's sad to see Marco Rubio, rumored Presidential candidate, who was part of the Tea Party class of 2010, for limited government, free market principles, etc., has consistently voted for his Big Sugar daddies' protectionist policies.
Let's point out with regards to the mercantilist arguments that there is low barrier to enter the sugar industry. There is no rationale for the US to prop up an industry which cannot produce at global prices any more than exclusively foreign sources of bananas or coffee compromise our economic security. We have higher oil production costs than many oil exporters, but given current price, many oil shale plays are not feasible. But there is a narrow spread between supply and demand and only so much supply from lower-cost producers. If we scale back shale operations, that oil isn't going anywhere. America has some of the most fertile cropland in the world, and we have technology for massive economies of scale. Global competition motivates us to innovate and compete in a sustainable manner. We must take world leadership and promote unilateral free trade.
(Reason). Symbolic vetoes are not in the national interest. re: Keystone Pipeline
Why call this symbolic, as if to belittle the President's use of the veto? There are not enough votes in the Senate to override the promised veto, so why is their vote not being called "symbolic"?
Because it forces the Fascist-in-Chief to stop playing both sides of an issue. There's a political reason he hasn't made a decision to date. The Keystone pipeline is popular with voters, and he's lost at least 6-8 Dems on the vote already. We still import a third of the oil we use. Make no mistake: Obama will pay a political price for a veto.
At the barrel of oil being so cheap I wonder if the pipeline would still be built.
A pipeline is a long-term decision. I bet you thought when oil prices crashed in 2008-2009 they would stay down, right? But just a few points: not all Canadian oil is tar sands, and we import a lot of oil from Canada--which has to be transported in some fashion--most not as safe as a pipeline.
I for one believe that passing laws that specifically benefit one or a few special interests is against the spirit of the Constitution and poor drafting of laws. The executive branch has the ability to veto and this is a bill that should be vetoed. I am all for pipelines, they don't bother me but shouldn't we be drafting laws that will apply for all instances when a company wants to build a pipeline? Oh, that's right, the next big oil pipeline will have to donate to campaign funds of the next batch of lawmakers, how silly of me.
This is exactly the same kind of frivolous bullshit Justin Amash argued. There are standard procedures--which TransCanada has worked through--and Obama has been filibustering a decision. The authority was delegated by Congress and remains with Congress. I specifically challenged Amash to identify a more general bill (no response to date): does he mean a legal detour around the Fascist-in-Chief?
That pipeline helps Canada more than us and pushes back weaning off from dirty fossil fuels, which should be a national security priority.
Environazis spamming the Reason thread. Pipelines are safer, more efficient means of transport. We already have thousands of pipelines across the US. I shouldn't have to remind people, but we still import a third of the oil we use daily--no doubt the OP would rather we import it from the volatile Middle East and have the Canadians sell to the Chinese and Indians.
Reason, don't let abuse of eminent domain get in the way of this editorial.
"Abuse of eminent domain?" What about the liberty to migrate and rights of way? Apparently your "rights" are "more equal"? Pathetic.
Warren Buffet and his trains will have something to say about this.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101460011
I wonder how many people are going to be pushed off their land using Eminent Domain. Not very libertarian, is it?
Eminent domain is NOT being used to grab land but to gain an easement--a right of way. This happens all the time involving thousands of miles of pipeline in the US; the pipelines are buried at least 4 feet underground and farmers can plant over them. (Not to mention municipalities running sewer lines and power lines.) Environment fascists are trying to obfuscate the issue; in fact, TransCanada has already entered into voluntary agreements with over 80% of the property owners.
(Reason). From Sarah Palin to Donald J. Trump to Dr. Ben Carson, Republicans just can't get enough of obviously unqualified presidential contenders.
I think the fascination with Palin is her considerable charisma, talent at pithy one-liners and dose of right-wing populism. As for some of the others, I think a lot of the appeal is with people who aren't career politicians, who are part of the problem.
Personally, as a pro-liberty conservative, I like Rand Paul, who is one of the most articulate and uniquely interesting senators. I think Paul Ryan and Bobby Jindal are also highly intelligent and articulate with fresh ideas. Ryan has already taken himself out of the running, but I thought he matched up well against Hillary Clinton.
I do agree the candidates Gillespie mentioned have no chance at the nomination. I think a lot of it is red meat politics, like bashing Obama. However, they have no chance against Clinton and hence will never win the nomination. I think you have to have a positively-toned agenda.
But if you go back to 2008, most Democrats were happy choosing between Barry and Hillary, relatively inexperienced with no compelling policy leadership. Oddly enough, their most interesting candidate over the last few decades was Jerry Brown.
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| Courtesy of Lisa Benson via Townhall |
Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists
Joe Cocker, "With a Little Help From My Friends"
