04.22
I recently read an article reporting on a letter titled “Dear Colleague” authored by Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.). They are addressing the upcoming climate change bill and the coastal state’s desire to have a piece of the revenue coming from new offshore drilling (known as revenue sharing).
Their letter claims that,”the federal treasury would lose hundreds of billions of dollars”. Now correct me if I am wrong, but the treasury is NOT currently receiving any of this money they claim they will lose as it does not exist. Also, havent these Dems been opposing expanded offshore drilling forever?
The bigger issue I am taking with these claims is this: Why should states have to ask for tax revenue made from activities off their coast? When the Constitution was written and all the states agreed to it, didnt they willingly give up some sovereignty and allow the Federal Gov’t to govern? Seems to me the Federal Gov’t should be asking the states for a cut. To be clear, I am not saying the states should get 100%, but that a fair compromise seems in order.
My last question is: Why is offshore drilling revenue “needed” or to quote the letter,”must be available for the important public needs of all Americans”? Every state has something unique that they can draw on (hello California, use some of your resources?). Will states have to give up 100% of tax revenue from solar power, wind power or even something like dog food production if the Federal Gov’t decides it is for the good of America?
In closing, the gov’t always uses the claim that they are acting on behalf of the people. Let’s question which people; people in Washington or people like you and me?
