Gee, why does congress get low approval ratings?

Filed in Uncategorized by on June 22, 2007

Earlier in the week, the Senate rejected additions to the bill that would have pumped billions of federal dollars into efforts to ramp up production of a coal-based fuel for cars and trucks, which proponents had called an important alternative to petroleum. Additionally, Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) failed to win approval for a proposal to allow exploration for natural gas off the Virginia coast, and Republicans blocked an effort to require that more of the nation’s electricity come for renewable sources.

that’s right a coal car…Jesus fucking christ, what is wrong with people?   and the last line is priceless. 

The fuel-efficiency language in the Senate energy package originally had coupled a 35 mile-per-gallon standard with a requirement of 4 percent annual increases for the decade after 2020. A group led by the two Michigan senators — Democrats Carl M. Levin and Debbie Stabenow — and Sen. Christopher S. Bond (R-Mo.) had sought instead to gain support for an amendment that would impose less-stringent standards while satisfying growing demands for change in the fuel-efficiency laws.

In the compromise– shepherded principally by Sens. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) — lawmakers dropped a provision that would have mandated additional 4 percent annual increases in fuel efficiency between 2021 and 2030. They also softened a provision that would have required all automakers to build substantially more vehicles that can run on ethanol and other biofuels.

nothing like bipartisanship to kill something that is a no brainer and gee look at the esteemed gentlemen from Delaware in the mix of it…..

and in other news…the United States leads errr, trails the rest of the world again….

In the European Union, automakers have agreed to voluntary increases in fuel-economy standards that next year will lift the average to 44.2 miles per gallon, according to the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. In Japan, average vehicle fuel economy tops 45 miles per gallon. China‘s level is in the mid-30s and projected to rise, propelled by government policy.

And finally more reason to love the democratic lead congress…

In another Senate battle yesterday, Democrats lost a fight against oil companies when Republicans blocked a $32 billion tax package that would have poured money into alternative fuel projects by raising taxes on oil and gas companies.

Tags: , , ,

About the Author ()

hiding in the open

Comments (7)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Ryan S. says:

    Did you know?

    The Capitol building is heated entirely by coal. The coal comes from West Virginia. Thanks Robert Byrd!

    Look, I think we need to be much less oil dependent, but infringing on people’s rights isn’t the way to do it.

  2. donviti says:

    Look, I think we need to be much less oil dependent, but infringing on people’s rights isn’t the way to do it.

    not sure I follow that logic Ryan…can you elaborate

  3. Ryan S. says:

    Well we need to be less oil dependent, but if you recall, cars or airplanes were invented with a government mandate.

    Passing laws restricts people’s freedom to do as they will.

    Private enterprise is the best way to achieve this. For example, Toyota outsells American car manufacturers, no doubt in part because of the fuel economy.

    Detroit can either adapt or perish. If they aren’t smart enough to get on the bandwagon, it isn’t Congress’ job to bail them out.

  4. donviti says:

    ummm, uh huh, the post is about why congress has low approval ratings and you are trying to make it something it is not.

    congress IS doing the will of the people. WE want that AUTO companies to change, they wont, so we get government to enact laws that increase fuel efficiency..

    but you let me know how your way works…

    if you want to talk about free enterprise why don’t you get back to me on the immigration issue.

  5. Ryan S. says:

    ummm, uh huh, the post is about why congress has low approval ratings and you are trying to make it something it is not.

    You weren’t following my logic, and I tried to elaborate.

    congress IS doing the will of the people. WE want that AUTO companies to change, they wont, so we get government to enact laws that increase fuel efficiency..

    I don’t trust the government enough to do it the right way. I’ll just go buy a hybrid.

    The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’
    -Ronald Reagan

    Congress’ approval ratings are tied to the fact that they aren’t doing the will of the people. The political class in this country is out of touch with what the people want.

  6. Von Cracker says:

    The GOP blocked it? Well that’s just another reason to work for a filibuster-proof liberal congress, along with winning the WH.

    If the big sweep happens, and during the first 4 years the progressive agenda is not followed through, let’s just say I’ll be voting Green in 2012 and going forward.

  7. donviti says:

    right along with you Von Cracker…