Without Hindrance

A RedStateVT Snap Poll
Who will be blamed if an agreement on the fiscal cliff is not reached?
a) Republicans
b) Not Democrats
c) All Republicans but no Democrats
d) All of the above


Mindfulness
In several states, the gun companies have enlisted unions that represent gun workers, mindful that Democratic lawmakers who might otherwise back gun control also have close ties to labor.

In Connecticut, the United Automobile workers, which represents Colt workers, has testified against restrictions (NYT, 12/23/2012)

One of our pet peeves is the media tactic of branding all Republicans or all Democrats with a single stroke on issues. Because the media is overwhelmingly Liberal, they lead their audience to believe that all Democrats are pro-gun control, pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, etc. Of course the truth is more nuanced, but we do not often get that story. It's too bad really because we would get a much more intelligent debate. What? There are are Dems who are pro-life? Let's hear what they have to say!


Windfulness
Opponents argue that the money spent so far, about $14.7 billion, is enough, and that a renewal could cost about $12.2 billion were it to last for 10 years. They also complain that the credit allows wind machines to be profitable even when there is a surplus of electricity and the market price for it falls to zero.

The tax credit could be equal to one-sixth to one-half of the revenue from the wind turbine, depending on electricity prices in the area of the generator.

Wind advocates say that the wind production tax credit did not cost the taxpayers any money, because it stimulated economic activity, in the form of manufacturing and construction, that was taxed at the federal, state and local levels. (NYT, 12/27/2012)

We certainly hear enough about tax breaks for oil companies. You mean to say that there are tax breaks for wind companies as well? Who would have guessed? Not to worry though because wind companies create jobs and generate tax revenue. Do oil companies likewise create jobs and generate tax revenue? Further research is necessary to answer that question.


Heading For The Exits
Five years after Al Gore joined the prestigious venture-capital firm Kleiner Perkins to back environmentally correct companies, the collaboration has yielded few successful exits for Mr. Gore and his partners, along with some spectacular disasters.

This week brought further embarrassment for a Kleiner-backed and taxpayer-subsidized project called Fisker Automotive. In an interview with Delaware's News Journal, the head of the state's economic development office, Alan Levin, discussed the $21.5 million that was provided by the state in return for a Fisker promise to build green cars there. "All we want are the jobs or our money back," Mr. Levin told the newspaper.

Fisker, an electric-car maker, is currently not making any cars due to various design and production problems. Last year the Department of Energy stopped lending money to Fisker after the company missed development deadlines, but federal taxpayers were already on the hook for more than $190 million. (NYT, 12/27/2012)

We see it as poetic justice if green millionaire Gore feels some pain here. Meanwhile, good on Levin for summing it all up rather, well...poetically. Also note that when they say "federal taxpayers" that means everyone. We want our money back too.