Just rambling thoughts about anything that happens to be on my mind and that usually isn't much!
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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Cap and Trade

It's been a while since I wrote a blog ... and part because I knew all I would do was rant and rave about current politics.  But I guess it's time to blow a little steam with the simplicity of the Stockman's understanding of current events. 
 
As most of you know, our House of Representatives passed the "Cap and Trade" bill yesterday ... without reading it.  It has been rammed down our throats.  Here's how it went down at the Stockman.  Keep in mind these are not Harvard graduates with the eloquence of speech of the "élite".  Just down to earth, hard working, truthful men who don't sleep if they owe you money.
 
Clem entered the cafe, took his cup of coffee and asked as he took the first sip, "What's this 'cap and trade' thing they're talking about?"
 
Chester, the resident current event guru, began trying to explain, "That's where the government will tax carbon emissions over a certain level."
 
"Who sets the standards?" inquired Clem.
 
"The government" Chester answered.
 
"The same government that didn't read the proposed bill?" Clem asked.
 
"Yep.  Same one" Chester declared.
 
"How would that affect us?" Clem needed further explanation.
 
"Well let me put it in cowboy terms" Chester offered.  "Are you going to feed your steers in my feedlot again this year?"
 
"Sure." came the reply.
 
"Well let's say the government decides that for each steer in my feedlot, I am allowed 10 lbs of manure."  Chester started his explanation.
 
"That'd be one miserable bunch of steers!" laughed Clem.
 
"Well, since it's my feedlot, I have to scrape the excess manure off and take it to Clyde's wheat field because his wheat doesn't produce any manure." Chester continued his explanation.
 
"That'd be pretty expensive to you." Clem said a little concerned for his partner.
 
"Not really" Chester said.
 
"You mean you'd charge Clyde for the manure?" Clem asked.
 
"No" Chester continued, "I'd pay him to take it."
 
"Wait a minute," said a surprised Clem, "Who's paying for this?"
 
"You are." said Chester pointing at a wide-eyed Clem "Because I am going to raise the fees on your yardage."
 
"That's a bunch of S*@T!" exclaimed Clem.
 
"Now you understand 'Cap and Trade'" said Chester.
Dennis

5 comments:

Jenni said...

I'm not sure I understand, but it's good to see you posting again. Wasn't that a beautiful sunset tonight?

The Ponderer said...

If there is going to be a cap and trade on BS...I am sure congress exempted themselves or the US could have gotten ourselves out of debt.

Jackie said...

I think I understand "cap and trade" with more clarity after reading your post...lol

Great, Dennis!!

Staci said...

That's a much better explanation than I've got anywhere else, bar none. Glad to see you back!

crabby old man said...

I'm like Clem I need a Chester to explain a lot of these GOV. policies.
Been missing U