Just the other day, I listened intently as our President addressed the Nation from the hallowed halls of Home Depot. He spoke (without Teleprompters I might add) about a new program that he endorses, which has since been dubbed “Cash for Caulkers.”
Similar to the now famous (or is that infamous … I always get them confused) “Cash for Clunkers” program, this is in effect a “retirement” program. Basically, President Obama called upon Congress to approve a bill that would encourage Americans to “retire” inefficient energy systems within their homes and replace them with newer, more efficient systems. New doors, windows, insulation, attic fans, HVAC … the possibilities are endless.
While the President stated that the "idea may not be very glamorous," he admitted that he thinks “insulation is sexy." The First Lady, who was reported to be meeting with Elin Woods’ attorney, has been unavailable for comment, but there’s a possibility that the President did not intend his comment to be taken literally. In my opinion, he clarified that he was using the phrase in a metaphorical sense when he said, "Here's what's sexy about it: saving money." Now, that’s something Congressional Members can wrap their minds around since money has often been tied to sex in Washington, D.C.
I’m not so cynical as to believe that this was just an attempt to stage a “common man” press conference as a precursor to the Copenhagen Climate Conference in which the President will participate later this week. To the contrary: under a current proposal being drafted behind closed doors by the transparent Democratic Members of Congress, the “Cash for Caulkers” program is only expected to cost about $20 billion. The cost associated with the Presidents triumphant return to Copenhagen (where he lobbied so effectively on behalf of Chicago for the Olympic Games) are rumored to be closer to $100 billion in taxpayer money.
The good news is that the $20 billion would be used to offer incentives of $1,000 to $3,000 (or more) to people to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Supporters of the bill (who’ve never been right before) project that 5 million homes could be retrofitted under the program, which would result in a savings of $3.3 billion in home energy bills each year. So far, so good! Even better: proponents believe that the majority of the products would be made in the United States and 100% of the associated labor would be local. Thus, the program will create real jobs. Hooray!
Not to rain on a leaky roof that might need to be replaced … but to really pull this off, we’ll need new government agencies established throughout the country to monitor the process to make sure that fraud doesn’t creep into the equation: contractors will have to be licensed, materials will have to be certified, installations will have to be confirmed, etc. On the plus side, this will create thousands of new jobs just to keep track of the rebates; jobs that can be paid for with your tax dollars. If we don’t put the controls in place, the program will at least provide jobs to countless illegal aliens who will end up doing the work in the southwest.
Between this and the Copenhagen Climate Conference, I’m proud we have our first “Green” President (can I say that?). His rhetoric inspires me. As a matter of fact, his Home Depot speech gave me a great idea. It came when he said, "If you saw $20 bills just sort of floating through the window up into the atmosphere, you'd try to figure out how you were going to keep that. But that's exactly what's happening because of the lack of efficiency in our buildings." It was then that it hit me. I look at Congress the exact same way. It’s like seeing $20 billion “just sort of floating through the window up into the atmosphere,” and I’d like to “try to figure out how (we) were going to keep that” because that’s exactly what’s happening due to the “lack of efficiency” (or should I say “integrity”) in Congress.
So, here’s my idea: let’s create a “Cash for Congress” program. Send me a minimum contribution of $10 (but as much as you’d like to donate). I’ll set up a separate bank account for the “Cash for Congress” program so that it will be easy to audit. In the spirit of transparency, I will keep 10% for administrative costs. After next November’s elections, I will distribute the other 90% on a pro rata basis to a Veterans’ program in each State in which one or more Senator or Congressperson is “retired” and replaced with someone more “efficient” … preferably someone who is at least familiar with the Constitution and has an understanding of the value of money. If 50 States each replace one representative, they’ll each get 1/50 of the residual pool. If one State replaces 2 representatives and the rest replace just one, it will get 2/51 of the pool and the other 49 will get 1/51. Get it? The math is easy. So is the concept: just turn in your Congressional “Clunker” and invest your vote in someone new who understands that their role is to serve you as civil servant … rather than as a demigod. Talk about an economic stimulus program; this one could save trillions of dollars.
Why make the donation to a Veterans’ program in each State? Because, more than any other group, veterans understand what this country stands for and have demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice their self interests to protect and preserve the ideals of this great Nation. If you disagree, just keep your money. Maybe you can buy some subsidized insulation with it … or apply it to your taxes to support all of the new federal agencies.
*****
“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.”
– Thomas Jefferson
– Thomas Jefferson
2009 © Dr. T.J. O’Hara
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