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TRANSLATION: PORK IS GOOD FOR YOU

July 27, 2005

The Secretary of the Treasury speaks up for the pork-laden "energy bill":

I urge Congress to move quickly to pass the energy legislation that has now emerged from the conference committee. The enactment of this bill is needed to address high energy prices, which act like a tax on our economy. It will help American workers, families and businesses. It will also decrease our dependence on foreign sources of energy, and increase energy efficiency and conservation. This is bi-partisan, comprehensive energy legislation that reflects the priorities of the President's 2001 proposal. The American economy stands to benefit from it. Congress should deliver it to the President before its August recess.

Translation: "Gas is $2 a gallon. Let's look busy!"

Senator Grassley weighs in:

The conference negotiations were successful. The result is a final tax package that’s well balanced among renewable energy, conservation and traditional energy sources.

Translation: "A lot of pork to buy a lot of votes."

Renewable energy and conservation got a very big slice of the pie. We’re enacting historic legislation that will bring increased use of renewable fuels like wind, biomass, fuel-efficient cars and appliances, and even solar energy for homes.

Translation: "We've added at least 50 pages to the tax code."

It’s very essential to have strong renewable energy incentives. They’re good for consumers, farmers, national security, the environment, and the economy.

Translation: "We, Congress, are just smarter than free markets. Without us telling the economy what to do, it would be lost."

Now that MTBE liability is out of the picture, it looks like the Senate will pass this bill with no problem and the President will have it on his desk next week.

Translation: "Spread the pork around and we can pass anything."

Prior Coverage: PORK: BETTER THAN NUCLEAR FUSION

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