Subsidized Windmills: Symbols of Corruption and Incompetence

Democracy and Power 103:  Government money

In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.
– Voltaire (1764)

The money taxed and spent by the politicians comes from the labor and ingenuity of millions of working persons.  Politicians spend other peoples’ money.

The politician transfers money from productive people to favored special-interest groups.

 

Subsidized Windmills: Symbols of Corruption and Incompetence

 In the 18th Century at a time of absolute monarchs, Voltaire wrote:

In general, the art of government consists in taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.

Today, America’s absolute elites – Senator and Representatives – transfer money from working Americans to special-interest groups, e.g., wind and solar companies.  The Wall Street Journal states the problem:

The renewable energy tax credit—mostly for wind and solar power—started in 1992 as a “temporary” benefit for an infant industry. Twenty years later, the industry wants another four years on the dole, and Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico has introduced a national renewable-energy mandate so consumers will be required to buy wind and solar power no matter how high the cost.

The cost of subsidizing wind energy to the taxpayers was about $5 billion in 2010. 

Thus, Americans have another expensive mandate from the Federal Government:  “Henceforth Citizens, Thou Shall Use Wind and Solar Power.” 

Worse, over half of the States mandate the use of wind and solar energy.  Of course, the worst offender is California which requires 33 percent of their power to come from “renewable sources” by 2020. 

Why the state and federal mandates?  The Department of Energy reports that “green energy” only supplies 1.5% of America’s power.  Hence, politicians must force Americans to use solar and wind energy.  Of course, this will greatly increase the cost to every household and business, and retards economic growth.

The political response – from Democrats and too many Republicans – is in essence, “It’s good for you.  You just don’t understand.”

The WSJ has a better solution, abolish all subsidies to energy – renewable and non renewable (oil, natural gas and coal):

Here’s a better idea. Kill all energy subsidies—renewable and nonrenewable, starting with the wind tax credit, and use the savings to shave two or three percentage points off America’s corporate income tax. Kansas Congressman Mike Pompeo has a bill to do so. This would do more to create jobs than attempting to pick energy winners and losers. Mandating that American families and businesses use expensive electricity doesn’t create jobs. It destroys them.

Additionally, politicians should mandate that least one windmill remains standing in every county in America.  A defunct windmill will be a symbolic reminder to future generations of the incompetence and corruption in America’s politics that existed in the beginning of the 21st Century. 

Even better, each defunct windmill will be named after a politician voting for these mandates.  You know, similar to dedicating a courthouse.  Dedicate a windmill to each sponsoring senator and representative.