Greenspan: Rising energy prices will cost jobs

[Lefty48197]

I heard on the news tonight, that Alan Greenspan stated that the rising energy prices, if left unchecked, would encourage American Corporations to move over-seas where the energy costs are cheaper.
The right-wing continues it's silence on this issue. Oh, they speak out if they think they can blame a Democratic politician for the rising prices (as they tried to do with Gray Davis), but when it comes to the residents of the other 49 states faced with rising gasoline, fuel oil, natural gas, and electricity costs, the right wing is silent.
They don't really care if large corporations suck money out of our pockets. They don't even care when that money sucking causes further economic problems. Caring about us and our economic security is of no interest to the right wingers.
"Energy Secretary" Spence Abraham (when he isn't busy being an active member of the Federalist Society) is starting to feel some heat over the subject. Yesterday, I saw him on TV suggesting that programmable thermostats would help ease the situation.
Personally, I am a big fan of programmable thermostats, but I also remember when the right wingers ridiculed President Carter for suggesting that we turn down our thermostats in winter, and turn them up in summer, in order to help alleviate our late 1970's energy crunch. Ah yes, I remember well, how they made fun of the President.
If we Democrats ever dare to propose any law or program that improves the quality of life for America's working people, through increased wages or benefits, then the right wingers will squeal. They will squeal that our proposals are completely ridiculous, because they will increase costs to business, and that they will ultimately "cost jobs".
The squealing stops (predictably) and it is replaced with silence when one of the friends of the right wingers decides to soak us. If the insurance industry needlessly jacks up prices and takes money away from workers and businesses, well then that's just OK. If the landlords decide to jack up prices, and take money away from workers and businesses, well then that's just Ok, too. And if the energy industry decides to jack up prices?
Well, naturally that's OK too, since right wingers will profit from the added costs to business.
How many times must the right wingers prove that they only care about putting money in the pockets of big business, and that they don't give a rats ass about your pocket or mine?

[jafap]

1. Once I taught an into to business

The book wrote: "look at what government regulations cost businesses".
Then they got to the chapter on advertising and they wrote: "this dynamic multi-trillion dollar industry creates thousands of jobs."
I told my class to also look at the jobs that regulations create and to look at the costs of advertising.
It is nice to see that Greenspan is finally catching up to me. As I wrote to Krugman on 02/13/03:
"Back in May of 2000 I wrote to Alan Greenspan (not that I have an open line to him) that since gas prices had gone up by about 40% that it would not be a good time to raise interest rates. I also suggested caution because interest rates are a ratchet which is better at slowing the economy than at speeding it up.
I think the current downturn is oil price related."
As I remember, Greenspan raised rates anyway, and the economy stalled and now he is cranking away on his ratchet with very little effect. I would like to see him join the ranks of the unemployed which he helped to create. Impeach Greenspan.

[ramapo]

2. Just desserts

The US has had 30 years to plan for and deal with declining resources. Not much has been accomplished. We've gone backwards in some areas (like CAFE standards).

Conservation, alternative energy, and the like have been ridiculed all along. Carter was lambasted for his efforts in the '70s. Cheney discounted conservation in the '00s.

So if a crunch hits, I hate to say it, but we deserve it.

What we don't deserve are companies being free to send even more work overseas. But as long as the corporation rule, there's not much to prevent it.

[acerbic]

3. Yup: do rising energy prices come as a SURPRISE to anyone...?

The US has had 30 years to plan for and deal with declining resources. Not much has been accomplished. We've gone backwards in some areas (like CAFE standards).

Rising energy prices don't cost jobs. Building an economy that depends so much on artificially cheap energy costs jobs...

[Lefty48197]

4. How many will lose their jobs because of the increase in energy costs?

It's not a philosophical question to them.

[DrGonzoLives]

6. Not to those who get shitcanned

Do they deserve it? Just for accepting a job? Or, maybe, they should've been high and noble like yourself and taken a job flipping burgers to pay off those college loans. Genius!

The people that should be punished are those that caused this, not innocent bystanders. Unless, of course, you have no problem with collateral damage. Do you?

[Vogon_Glory]

5. Alternate Energy Policies Needed Now

"...I heard on the news tonight, that Alan Greenspan stated that the rising energy prices, if left unchecked, would encourage American Corporations to move over-seas where the energy costs are cheaper.
The right-wing continues it's silence on this issue. Oh, they speak out if they think they can blame a Democratic politician for the rising prices (as they tried to do with Gray Davis), but when it comes to the residents of the other 49 states faced with rising gasoline, fuel oil, natural gas, and electricity costs, the right wing is silent.
They don't really care if large corporations suck money out of our pockets. They don't even care when that money sucking causes further economic problems. Caring about us and our economic security is of no interest to the right wingers.
"Energy Secretary" Spence Abraham (when he isn't busy being an active member of the Federalist Society) is starting to feel some heat over the subject. Yesterday, I saw him on TV suggesting that programmable thermostats would help ease the situation...."

I think that Democrats and other progressives should start developing alternative energy programs to the energy extraction company wish-list that Cheney and Co. drew up back in 2001.

Alternate energy has come a very long way not only since Jimmy Carter's administration, but even past what it was during the Clinton years. The cost of installing solar electric panels to assist in powering home electric use, as well as solar water heating has dropped.

Fuel cells are beginning to leave the laboratories and enter the marketplace, and many of them don't use hydrogen, either. A marketing and economic factor favoring their use isn't just what fuel cells can do to reduce greenhouse gases, but that fuel cells are more energy efficient than internal combustion energy systems.

Many of the same utilties mocking "Greenies" are the same folks who blocked co-generation by manufacturers and other energy consumers.

I may be one of the rare Democrats who favors nuclear power--but I'm under no illusion that nukes are a panacea. Alternatives to the fossil fuel economy are needed, and need to be put into place starting now.

[twilight]

7. already happened

A relative of mine is working for one of these liar/ENRON type places. They filed for bankruptcy this morning. I wonder how long it will be before the puke calls me on the phone asking for HELP!!

:puke:

Sad situation really but, what goes around comes around and oh how he was all smiles and smirks last year telling me how the price of energy was going to go up "real soon". *smirk*

I wonder if he's still smirking?

:kick: