Watts up?
You'll probably be hearing a lot more about how so-called renewables are overtaking nuclear power as a national electricity provider. But like just about everything else involving alternative energy, it's mostly just hype, generated by those who want to show progress where progress is lacking.
Much depends on how one defines "renewable energy," as this Washington Post blog explains. Subtract hydropower, which isn't exactly a newfangled thing, and the slice of America's energy pie being supplied by solar, wind and gerbil wheel power is still embarrassingly small -- especially in light of all the government support they get.
Americans who don't read past the headlines can sometimes be led astray, or only get part of the story. That's why legendary broadcaster Paul Harvey delighted his legion of loyal listeners by taking the time to clue them into "the rest of the story."
This news story provides an excellent case in point. The headline will be seized-on by some to argue that there's no demand for more domestic drilling, because the U.S. is now, suddenly, an exporter of certain fuels. But a look beyond the headline tells a more complicated story.
It's election season, in the midst of a prolonged economic meltdown, so it's not surprising to hear presidential candidates making superhuman claims about the miracles they can do for the economy. But in a truly free market system, and under the Republican form of government Americans inherited, in which the president's powers are limited, a chief executive's real influence over the economy should fall somewhere between modest and minimal.
Its a bit disconcerting, therefore, to see self-styled conservatives playing a game of Job Creation Derby with the President, given that the Right has traditionally been far less interventionist, and far more laissez faire, than the command- and-control, pump-priming Keynesians on the other side.
By now youve probably heard about last Fridays outrageous court ruling in the Lobato school finance case, a ruling that could have a devastating impact on Colorado taxpayers and state services. You can help make sure that Gov. John Hickenlooper and Attorney General John Suthers do the right thing by appealing this terrible ruling.
Im not sure about you but Ive grown tired of hearing the obnoxious, misinformed, unruly left-wingers of Occupy Wall Street arrogantly presuming to speak for the 99 percent, since they sure dont speak for me or most Americans I know. Now, however, we dont have to just take this verbal (and sometimes physical) assault in silence, thanks to a rally this Saturday, Dec. 3, on the West steps of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., rain, snow or sunshine, and will feature a variety of liberty-minded, solutions-oriented speakers.
Its there that the voices of Americas real 99 percent will be raised above the OWS din, in defense of limited government, fiscal responsibility, regulatory restraint, free enterprise and other ideas rarely heard inside OWS camps.
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