Energy Industry the Highest Taxed in the System

To The Editor:
Four billion dollars expended on green energy. It is perplexing that our representatives subsidize potential energy sources but never prioritize review developments that would substantiate continuing subsidies.
We elect representatives to insure and manage the business of governance. What do the taxpayers receive in return? Our state has $170 billion of debt, the federal debt will exceed our gross domestic output, simply put; your house is worth far less than the purchased price. The media and most of those interviewed by the media suggested that “they” could not shut down the government. Really? Unfortunately after the upcoming elections the country will have $16 trillion in debt and a mandatory increase in the debt ceiling. The president will have spent over $6 trillion in four years.
Health care reform should be an illustration to those who believe that government is an answer to the problem. The estimated cost was $870 billion (before they passed it but did not read it). Two years later the Congressional Budget Office having read the approved law projects the costs will exceed $1.7 trillion, require another 150,000 doctors and 4,000- 16,000 IRS agents, and 169 boards to review and approve medical procedures. Remember, the new “reform” removes $500 billion from Medicare. Additionally 18-20 million clients will be added to the Medicaid system. (A sidebar: presently education and Medicaid are over 50 percent of our state budget.)
The president rails about Congress being unwilling to pass his budget(s) never having an approved budget. His last one failed to pass Congress without one approving vote. That includes every Democrat saying no. His first two years had a Democratic majority in the Senate and House of Representatives and they never approved his budgets? At what point do you suspect that the U.S. has a debt crisis and rapidly heading for a disastrous cliff?
The president wants to increase taxes on the “rich” and enumerates programs that the additional revenues would be used for. Every economist and government agency estimated that an estimated maximum of $4.3 billion would be realized. But he fails to suggest that we use any additional revenue for deficit reduction.
The president indicates that there is no “silver bullet” to end the gas-energy problem. A silver tongue is not an answer either. He insists that green energy is the approved path to prosperity. What is the efficiency rating (EER) for the solar panels? Is there a cloud effect that alters the EER? What are the combined state and federal subsidies, (your tax dollars), provided for the “free power?” What is the life cycle for solar panels? (Hint: they do not last forever.)
Obviously solar and wind will not power our vehicles and too few of our homes; I’m not too sure how much algae will replace fossil fuel. Since I have allergies I would rather have U. S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo’s thoughtful alternative of saw grass. The president suggests that the oil industry receives $4 billion of your tax dollars. Another silver tongue moment, the $4 billion are “tax write offs” for equipment purchases and company expansion, not a subsidy. Every company receives that benefit. It was created under the “Job Creation Act.” The energy industry is the highest taxed industry in the system, paying almost $84 million a day in taxes. If that appears to be high, how about the federal government reducing or eliminating the gas tax?
With an open and promised transparency of the government, can our elected officials furnish monthly expense account reports on line?
AL CROSSEN
North Wildwood