Ode to Wisconsin

What a bad day for Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is a state known for its extremes in its seasons. Winters often see temperatures drop well below zero and the summers can sometimes rival Floridian heat and humidity. As a result of this, rarely do Wisconsinites have a time of the year where they are not running the air conditioning or their heat. After all, winter is the best seven months of the year in Wisconsin.

For some reason, out of the eight people representing Wisconsin in the House of Representatives, only three of them had the sense to vote against the toxic American Clean Energy and Security Act, which is riddled with all kinds of tax increases and fees that most people do not even know exist.

Some of the number crunching has led some actuarial tables to calculate a staggering 171% increase in natural gas prices due to the new legislation. That it bad news for Wisconsin since it does not have so-called "clean energy" in any great amount such as nuclear power plants. Wisconsin is expanding its wind power capacity which is akin to filling a swimming pool with a dixie cup.

The summers will not be much of a bargain for Wisconsinites either as they are now faced with the possibility that the purely evil coal industry is staring directly into the face of another tax increase.

Are these legislators that out of touch that they cannot see that these costs will be passed on to the people that pay their utility bills? Can they not see that they just dramatically raised prices on their constituents should this legislation pass through the Senate?

Here in Wisconsin, the neighbor immediately to the south has nuclear power plants. That just may convince more Wisconsin-based companies to leave.

The Kyoto Protocol does not include China and India. Many more Wisconsin jobs will likely continue to move abroad to get out of this state and nation's toxic tax environments.

And then there is the 2009 Wisconsin State Budget.

Here are just a few of the tax and fee increases: garbage tax, elimination of QEO for state teachers, in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, increased capital gains taxes, cell-phone tax, digital downloads tax, cigarette tax, work permit fee, increased auto insurance coverage requirement, etc.

This budget is toxic and is increasing taxes, fees, and spending in a recession.

The two combined are a major blow to anyone living in Wisconsin for any prolonged amount of time.

Both bills are major fiscal blunders. The Senate can stop "Cap and Trade," but it is unlikely. The unintended consequences could lead to this bill being one of the top five worst public policy blunders ever made.