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7/8/2009
Rep. Kagen over-the-top defending Energy Bill
The Energy Bill brought out statesmanship – in some. And pure politics in others. As you know from news reports and comments here, our hometown Congressman was in a bit of a hot spot. In a district where a vote for Cap-and-Tax doesn’t have overwhelming support, his arm was being twisted by Speaker Pelosi and the White House to vote for what I see to be the jobs-slashing Energy Bill.
Dr. Kagen says he got a few things out of the omnibus Christmas Tree for Liberals. One of the things he scrounged up was a promise of the support of Democratic third party groups.
A coalition of liberal interest groups is launching ads in 17 congressional districts over the July 4 weekend that thanks members of Congress for their vote in favor of President Obama's climate change legislation, a direct counter to a series of attacks on that same vote being sponsored by national Republicans. Just 17 of 435 Congressional Districts. Wow. See the ad here, posted by Chris Cillizza at WaPo. Indeed, Kagen is nervous about this bill, writing a 700+ word defense in his response to constituents who wrote urging a NO vote.
Indeed, when initial drafts of this legislation appeared, I had concerns that our job producing and energy-intensive industries could possibly be disaffected, in particular paper, agriculture, timber and housing, and what it would mean for our developing renewable energy sector in biomass fuels.
Well, I fought hard to improve the bill and succeeded. After reviewing the bill's final contents, my concerns were satisfied and I decided to support it. It will strengthen our national security, protect our environment, and generate new jobs. Kagen goes on, in paragraph after paragraph, grabbing at every defense in the book to rationalize his vote for Nancy Pelosi. National security, green jobs – you name it, the good Representative mentions it.
It will be good for the health of our children and our economy with an estimated 32,000 jobs generated across Wisconsin, while preventing utility consumers from dramatic increases in costs.
While I supported this bill, I also look forward to working with Wisconsin Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold to strengthen it even further, for in my mind there is no bill created by Congress that cannot be improved. [In other words, we screwed up over here in the House – bail us out Senate. Wonder what pal-Nancy thought about those choice words.] Here’s my respectful response to Representative Kagen and his whiny, undignified (see David Brooks’ piece yesterday…) letter. When we hear excuse-making like this from politicians, we must make them accountable for it.
Dear Dr. Kagen:
I’m offended at your claims of making the cap-and-trade legislation better and also am offended at your claims of having “reviewed” the entire last-minute 1500+ page document, including the 300-page amendment, produced only 16 hours before the vote, after having been negotiated behind closed doors. Your assertions that there are tiny pieces of this bill that may be good for Wisconsinites may be correct, but be assured, this bill will wreak havoc on Wisconsin’s energy, manufacturing, lumber and agricultural sectors – not to mention her residents. Clearly Dr. Kagen, you were influenced more by powerful leaders in Congress than by plain old regular folks here in Wisconsin .
You must listen to your constituency more carefully Dr. Kagen. On balance, they are not pleased with your vote on this omnibus, earthshaking energy bill – and would be even more displeased with your disingenuous explanations of that vote. Here’s more of Kagen fending off unknown ghosts via an article he wrote for WisOpinion.com. And here he is rationalizing his vote for a reporter.
Is this man defending himself or what?
Just for kicks, compare Rep. Kagen’s constituent letter with Senator Feingold’s – I posted them on the same web page here. I don’t agree with Senator Feingold’s reasoning, but the letter he signed is seemingly sincere and informative - a class act. Compare that with Kagen’s dancing with constituents. Embarrassing. – and maddening.
Jo Egelhoff, Foxpolitics.net
COMMENTS
Yes, Dr. Millionaire certainly IS defending the indefensible. He sold us out without a fight, just carrying Speaker Pelosi's water. By anyone's account our part of the country stands THE MOST to lose because of the onerous restrictions which our utilities will face, but if the Representative is going to see another odd numbered year in D.C., he knows that he has to follow his marching orders ... and those orders don't come from the stupid voters ... they come from those inside the beltway who know FAR BETTER what should be done with this country.
I don't always agree with Sen. Feingold, in fact we disagree more than we agree, but at least I can RESPECT him because he makes his decisions by principles rather than folding to strong-arm political agendas.
Jeff Riedl (Wed Jul 08 06:53:12 2009)
Same here...did you know Feingold was one of the few who voted against repealing Glass-Seigle? (Not sure if I spelled that right.) I do indeed respect him, for he could forsee what'd happen after it was repealed: the economic mess we have now.
emily matthews (Wed Jul 08 09:43:51 2009)
Kagen claims he voted for this bill because it will help to keep energy costs low for consumers. Please tell that to the WE Energy customers who are going to be hit with a huge increase just because they are conserving energy and energy use is down so WE energy has to increase prices.
kneenor (Wed Jul 08 10:13:55 2009)
Rep. Kagen heard from me regarding his vote for the Cap and Trade bill. The fact that it even passed the House makes me wonder about the thought processes of most of the Dems and those 8 Republicans.
Coal, coal, coal, coal. This is where we get most of the energy in this state. I don't know why Kagen and the rest of the Democrat representatives don't just rampage through the state and take our money at gunpoint.
If I thought there was a 25% chance these hysterics are correct about global warming I'd perhaps consider they might be correct. However, they're 100% off base and willing to toss our economy and possibly our country into the ashcan on faulty science.
One of the least reported stories of this whole false premise is the petition signed by over 31,000 American scientists, debunking global warming and postulating that any natural global warming that has occurred is good for the planet. Carbon dioxide aids plant growth and plants give off oxygen. How has that been forgotten?
I found, by accident, two long-time friends' names on the petition (both Ph.Ds). It's not only a petition it gives all the reasons and charts at how this conclusion was reached. This is the website if you'd like to check it out. http://www.petitionproject.org/
I also sent the link to Rep. Kagen, not that I believe it would have done any good. When one is playing politics, facts mean nothing to one.
C.R. Stevenson (Wed Jul 08 10:38:42 2009)
Quote "It will be good for the health of our children and our economy with an estimated 32,000 jobs generated across Wisconsin, while preventing utility consumers from dramatic increases in costs. "
So Mr Brain it makes 32,000 Jobs---Where ?
It's only your guess.
What about the loss of jobs as
Energy rates are going up ?
As mentioned by another poster, WE has a 9 % increase in the wings..why ?
Well it seems we are conserving energy and they need more money for windmills.
The farmers in this state have NO IDEA whats in store...You do Mr Brains, because you said you wanted the DOA handling .... What ?
Why the "reduction in emmisions " from farm animals
For those unaware, Cows produce more CO 2 than humans.. know what that means ? Sorry you don't have the brains of a politician to figure it out class !
It means selling the dairy herd and growing switch grass.. yeah , have you ever compared the job LOSS that occurs with that ?
" The health of our children " you say.
Show me one study that shows loss of health and life of our kids from GW ? ...NOT.
Doesn't exist (!), except in your diminished capacity as a politician.
But its nice to say it, and you have the reputation to always tell the truth....
Sorry... but you aren't worth more of my time.
Rich Carlstedt (Wed Jul 08 23:42:51 2009)
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