"Going Green" the Capitalist Way

This morning two of my girls and I were taking our morning walk/jog, and it occurred to me that there were some ways to "help the environment" that the MSM seemed to be missing. Furthermore, they are things I have been doing for years.

1. Don't bother decorating for Halloween. I personally don't believe Christians should celebrate Halloween, but even if I did, I would not have electricity-consuming decorations "on" at 6:09 a.m. Turning them off before going to bed would save some fossil fuel, wouldn't it? Even for Christmas (a holiday I joyfully celebrate), I use a timer for my outdoor lights; they generally are off by 11:00.

2. Take a look at your trash can. I have four children living at home. I have a big wheel-it-to-the-curb trash can. Unless we have done some major housecleaning—perhaps once or twice a year—it is never full. Yet I see various members of the neighborhood whose cans, equal in volume to mine, are overflowing on a regular basis. Where is all this trash generated? Perhaps an inventory of what's in there could give people some ideas about conserving resources.

3. Take fewer trips; run more errands on each. My wife and I have been doing this for years, although with more soberness since gas prices eclipsed $2 a few years ago. We simply don't make extra trips. If she needs something to make supper, she calls me and I pick it up on my way home. Grocery store runs happen during music lessons. And so forth.

Notice, too, what all three of my ideas have in common: Each one saves me money! Capitalism, handled properly and ethically, is pro-environment, because we realize that the long-term view demands good stewardship of our resources.

When people see that they can keep more of their own money by doing something that is "environmentally friendly," they will do it. Liberals seem to have difficulty grasping this simple idea.

Taking Names....Then What?

The U.S. House voted 219-212 to approve the contemptible "American Clean Energy and Security Act" (a.k.a. "The Job-Killing Act" or the "Plow our Economy Into the Ground Act").

It was widely reported that Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-MI 3rd District) was considering voting in favor of the bill. He did not vote in favor of the bill.

In the end, eight (8) Republicans voted in favor of the bill. Forty-four (44) Democrats voted against it. You can find the complete Congressional roll call for the vote here. The eight Republicans who voted for the bill should be losers in the 2010 primary elections, as they clearly do not stand for conservative principles or for the principles of the Republican party.

Taking Names? Here are some to consider:

All seven Michigan Republicans in Congress voted "No" on the bill.

All eight Michigan Democrats in Congress voted "Yes" on the bill.

The eight GOP traitors on this vote were:

• Mary Bono Mack (CA 45th District)
• Michael Castle (DE)
• Mark Kirk (IL 10th District)
• Leonard Lance (NJ 7th District)
• Frank LoBiondo (NJ 2nd District)
• John McHugh (NY 23rd District)
• David Reichert (WA 8th District)
• Chris Smith (NJ 4th District)

I hope the Republicans in New Jersey, in particular, are mad.

There is a lesson here: Keep your memory. Remember who voted to raise your taxes (regardless of whatever misnomer they may invent for it), usurp more power, and drive a stake into the heart of the American economy. And when you enter that polling place next year, vote them out.