I’ve spent the last decade-plus bucking DC’s fake “free trade” narrative.
Only in DC is selling the US out to the rest of the planet – “free trade.”
Only in DC is accepting foreign governments mass-subsidizing their stuff – then exporting it here to undermine our makers of stuff – “free trade.”
Only in DC is accepting their tariffs and trade limits on our stuff – while imposing none on their stuff – “free trade.”
Chief amongst DC’s fake “free trade” promoters – is Conservative, Inc.
Conservative, Inc is comprised of what was once considered the Right’s alleged “thought leaders.” Who have spent the last half century-plus incessantly losing to the Left – with a grace and style the Left finds perpetually tolerable.
Conservative, Inc is the Washington Generals – to the Left’s Harlem Globetrotters. Their job is to lose – and make the Left look good while doing it.
And on fake “free trade,” perhaps no Conservative, Inc media outlet has been worse for US than the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
Well, we now have a real trade solution to a fake “climate change” problem. On which side will WSJ fall? Let us review….
Only in DC do we – in the name of the giant lie that is “climate change” – commit economic suicide. While the rest of the planet carries on – business as usual.
Our murdering coal, oil and gas production in the name of wind and solar? Is a massive de facto subsidy for every other nation on the planet – none of which are doing anything of the sort.
It’s a massive de facto subsidy – because our far-more-expensive-and-unreliable energy makes making our stuff much more expensive than their making their stuff.
So last September, I first championed the border carbon tax to help offset our self-inflicted idiocy. To the best of my knowledge, I was the first person not of the Left to do so….
Trump Trade Principles to Mitigate the Climate Alarmists and Their Many Taxes:
“I now join with Democrats – in general principle and broad strokes – in advocating this….
“‘Democrats Propose Border Tax Based On Carbon Emissions:
“‘Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) announced Monday a new import tax for countries failing to meet U.S. carbon emissions standards….
“‘Goods covered by the proposal include petroleum, coal, aluminum, steel, iron and cement.
“‘The tax would be on par with the environmental fees levied against American companies under state and federal regulations….
“‘“We must ensure that U.S. workers and manufacturers aren’t left behind…” Coons said….’”
Flash forward to February – when bipartisanship beyond just me happened…:
Border Carbon Tax: DC Can Do Better – When It Chooses to Do So:
“‘The Bipartisan Climate Solution:
“‘Momentum is building on both sides of the aisle to come up with a measure to penalize imports of high polluting goods, and lawmakers are taking a page out of former President Donald Trump’s book….
“‘“It looks and feels a lot like Trump’s tariffs…” Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) said.
“‘Republicans are eager to tackle competition with China, whose lax environmental standards often mean lower production prices, and create an “America-first” climate policy. “Donald Trump should love it,” (Republican) Sen. Kevin Cramer said.’”
Flash forward to May….
Trump Trade Rep Lighthizer and Manchin: Support Grows for a Border Carbon Tax
West Virginia Democrat Senator Joe Manchin has been the host of bipartisan attempts to resuscitate the Democrats Build Back Never – oops, I mean Better. What are Republicans demanding as the cost of their entry into the discussions?
GOP Floats Carbon Border Fee in Manchin Talks
Oh: And as DC continues its idiotic participation in the irrelevant Russia-Ukraine border skirmish?
Republicans Are Embracing Carbon Border Fees to Counter Putin
Which FINALLY brings us all the way back round to DC’s Conservative Inc – and the WSJ.
When Conservative, Inc still cares about being actually relevant to actual conservatives? They approach good, conservative policy ideas – in Mahatma Gandhi fashion:
“There goes my people. I must follow them, for I am their leader.”
Too bad they don’t realize Mahatma was being sarcastic.
Now that nigh every conservative not in Conservative, Inc has endorsed a border carbon tax? The following happens….
Please recall: Way back on September 22, I wrote….
Trump Trade Principles to Mitigate the Climate Alarmists and Their Many Taxes
FINALLY, on July 8, the Wall Street Journal’s Holman Jenkins wrote….
Is a Carbon Tax the Only Way to Stop the Climate Activists?
The two sound familiar, no?
Holman’s question – was LONG ago asked and answered. By me – and every conservative…except the alleged conservatives of Conservative, Inc.
At least we know a good, conservative policy idea has reached DC critical mass – when Conservative, Inc gets around to endorsing it.
Here’s hoping the border carbon tax doesn’t suffer the fate of nigh all other ideas Conservative, Inc promotes.
And instead becomes law.