Claim:
“[The American Clean Energy and Security Act] will come down hardest on the poor.”
— Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), 6/26/09
Truth:
Actually, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says low-income Americans will benefit the MOST from this bill. The CBO calculations show that low-income Americans will actually see a net cash gain from this bill, as the value of emission allowances is rebated back to consumers.
In contrast, it’s the cost of doing nothing that would fall most heavily on the poor: from greater health-care costs because of expanding disease vectors to the destruction of homes from catastrophic weather events , it’s the poor who will disproportionately suffer.
Instead of disingenuously trying to hide behind the least fortunate among us, Mr. Cantor should step up and support this legislation — legislation that would create job opportunities across the economic spectrum. Most importantly, jobs that would provide pathways out of poverty for Americans who need them most.
4 Comments
Please watch this all the way to the end to see what we are doing to the poor around the world with our global warming efforts.
http://www.moviesfoundonline.com/great_global_warming_swindle.php
I appreciate how the ACES act might help the working poor — the average standard of living may go down but more people will be employed.
However, how about the other poor people in the country. I am disabled and on Social Security. This isn’t going to help me, is it. My electric bills have already gone up and I read estimates that they will increase further both due to cap and trade and the requirement for renewable energy generation.
So, how is this going to help me?
How in the world can people believe that they can convince me that this bill is going to help the average low wage citizen?
I can’t get one of those new jobs!
I’m disabled and on SSDI, and the new jobs are not going to affect people in my situation!
In fact, this is going to raise my utility bills!
I’m not blind, and you cannot convince me that this bill is going to help those of us forced to live in poverty!
The only people this is going to help are those who have the funds to afford it!
Also, the only people who can afford buying in to this will be those with money.
It is going to be YEARS before the poor benefit from this bill!
You can’t fool me with your lies!
We’ll see just how wrong you really are in the near future!!!
The Clean Energy Act includes provisions for the poor, and they are clearly outlined on this and other websites. I hope that you do more research next time before posting. Accusing the Congressional Budget Office of lying with no proof other than your lack of understanding of the bill is irresponsible and quite unhelpful.
However, you are in luck because the current bill allocates the largest percentage of subsidies to the poorest citizens. Under this bill, the government gives money to your utility company with specific instructions that they must make your energy bill cheaper than the rest. You win, the environment wins, and the future generations will thank you for it.