President Sarah Palin and other foolish things
Both John McCain and Darren White are trying their darnedest to sound like Democrats. They’re scampering away from the black hole of the Bush legacy as fast as their PR Machines can carry them.
But the selection of presumptive Vice President Sarah Palin, the 18-month governor of Alaska, leaves no doubt that Republicans are Republicans, no matter how much they suck up to the more marginal and muddled Democrats.
If Sarah Palin isn’t the clincher that causes every wavering voter to pull the Democratic lever this November, no one ever will be. She’s such a modern Republican, so holier than thou art, so tied to big oil, such a creature of PR spin, she fits right in with conservative commentators and spin meisters like George Will who can make up seem down and right look left at the scratch of a pen.
In a recent Will commentary about the Democrats’ “naive economics,” Will said it’s naive to focus on alternative energy, discounting nuclear power as a major factor in America’s new energy economy. But that’s exactly what PNM’s recent energy planners have done in New Mexico, forecasting the company will rely more and more on alternative energy to supplement coal and natural gas and deciding not pursue mega-expensive, glacially slow nuclear power start ups. Energy is all about incentives and subsidies. But more of that later.
Sarah Palin to the contrary, I expect we’ll see more Republicans trying to sound like Democrats over the next months, echoing Darren White at his victory speech on primary night, when the Republican candidate for the First Congressional District in New Mexico tore into President Bush and the last four years of economic disaster like a DNC TV spot.
But this is all par for the course in the madcap, surreal elections of 2008. The only person around who seems to espouse the straight Republican line is a person hardly anyone outside of Alaska has heard of.
Sarah Palin admits to not knowing much about Iraq, or all that much about what a vice president might actually do. But the heartbeat-away-from-the-hot-seat hockey mom knows she doesn’t believe in global warming, knows she doesn’t believe in women’s reproductive rights, knows she thinks the Endangered Species Act is for sissies, knows she’s a Rush Limbaugh-like advocate of Big Bad Oil and is not a supporter of home-grown renewable energy independence.
Palin is what John McCain and Darren White are really like. They are Republicans. As hard as they try not to seem like Sarah Palin, they all belong to modern Republicanism, the party of Karl Rove and Pat Robertson, and no amount of spin can make it any different.
Should McCain’s health falter and Palin become the president, everything that every environmentalist, every alternative energy advocate, every women’s rights activist, every religious person of ecumenical leanings, and every Bill of Rights champion could go right down the drain. And they all know it. Perhaps Palin has galvanized the Republican base, but she’s galvanized everyone else as well, spunky and charming though she may be.
It would be like having Sean Hannity for president.
Like all Bush apologists, from Pete Domenici to Darren White to Steve Pearce, George Will, Sarah Palin, and John McCain deny change even when it's snapping at their heels. They look at the defunct past and see a glorious future, and propose to do exactly the same things that caused the ruination that discredits their point of view.
Will and many other Republicans, along with some rightish Democrats, believe in the l950s view of atoms of peace, harnessing nuclear energy for industrial purposes to assuage the guilt of the nuclear industrial complex and science-for-hires who, at one time, helped to put some 70,000 nuclear warheads around the world, from Russia to North Dakota.
Will thinks it’s naive to suppose that America can wean itself from foreign oil without using nuclear energy in large quantities. He thinks that alternative energy sources, and cars that run on something other than petroleum, are also naive without nuclear power. He discounts the dangers of uranium mining, the arms proliferation implications in reprocessing spent fuel rods, and even the sound strategy of storing spent fuel on site in hardened containers, rather than waiting for decades for a subterranean repository to become politically viable, and then trucking the stuff all over the country to get its immense tonnage underground.
He doesn’t want to tell us that Big Nuke and Big Oil are the nation’s most heavily subsidized energy industries. The nuclear industry, alone, is protected from collapse by the Price-Anderson Nuclear Industries Indemnity Act, a no-fault insurance program. Any claim against a nuclear power company over $10 billion is covered by the taxpayer, and anything less is covered by an industry supported indemnity fund, backed by the federal government. It’s been estimated that a Chernobyl-like accident in the United States would cost hundreds of billions of dollars.
Unlike Will, scientists advising the British government on nuclear power in 2005 concluded that not only weren’t nuclear reactors a solution to global warming, but that nuclear power is “a limited, inflexible, expensive, and potentially dangerous energy source which creates unique problems.” They argued for alternative energy subsidies rather than a new generation of reactors, according to SourceWatch.
But Republicans in Congress have been foot dragging on extending tax credits for renewable energy companies past the Dec. 31 deadline. The loss of those tax credits, according to The Associated Press, could cause operations like Schott Solar in Albuquerque to lose perhaps 1,500 jobs and a half a billion dollars in investments.
Watching the tax credit debate will give us all a clue about what might happen in a Palin presidency in which all the incentives go to dottering Big Nuke and Big Oil with nothing left over for the future.
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About V.B. Price
V.B. Price has written a column in New Mexico since l971. He is the former editor of Century Magazine and New Mexico Magazine, and was a long-time Albuquerque Tribune columnist. His books include "The Oddity," "Albuquerque: A City At The End Of The World," and "Chaco Trilogy." He teaches in the ...
Comments:
Posted 09/03/2008 08:40 with
“Sarah Palin admits to not knowing much about Iraq or all that much about what a vice president might actually do.”
Too bad Hussien Obama won’t admit he knows nothing about anything (except how to throw our country into the toilet of communism.)
“But the heart-beat-away-from-the-hot-seat hockey mom, knows she doesn’t believe in global warming”
There have been record cold winters and snowfall recently all over the world, including here in NM, but the author is too stupid to believe it. He just sticks his head in the snow.. er… sand.
“knows she doesn’t believe in women’s reproductive rights”
She believes in rights of ALL human beings including those of innocent children, whom the author would suck their brains out if given the chance.
“knows she thinks the Endangered Species Act is for sissies”
The author is nothing but a hypocrite here, protecting endangered flies, worms, a child rapist/murder and terrorists but advocates killing babies.
“knows she’s a Rush Limbaugh-like advocate of Big Bad Oil and is not a supporter of home-grown renewable energy independence.”
Well the author finally got one right here. We should power our vehicles and homes with windmills and make sure our tires are properly inflated… and burn our bridges—take away all the profits from the oil companies so they’ll go out of business once and for all. Of course the author will be the first to complain when an expensive study indicates the windmills are killing too many crows. Perhaps this godless man can appease those evil machines with acceptable sacrifices by throwing babies and the elderly into them. Perhaps he can gain support for his marxist agenda by giving convicted criminals and illegal immigrants the right to vote.
Finally, with regards to the article’s title, I know Sarah Palin won’t negotiate with the Hitler of Iran, but Obamanation would make him Secretary of Defense. I’m sure his buddies Wright and Ayers could also help qualify him in the areas of national security. Now there’s a resume the author can be proud of. Speaking of “foolish things,” the author tops the list.
Posted 09/03/2008 09:24 with
Well said, riteizrite. I am no fan of Democrats or Republican, but I am even less a fan of liberal drones like Mr. Price spouting dogma in hateful intolerant ways, the same as I have absolutely no tolerance for neo-con hate mongering and executive branch expansion (invasion).
Price get a clue this great Country turned red in the last two elections. Your hateful liberal far left agenda won’t fly with the majority of Americans. You would do well to pay attention to the early victories for your party this year. Dems did take strong Republican seats, but thats because they were fairly conservative pro-life dems.
Your holier than thou denunciation of Big Oil rings hollow when blue collar American is being strangled by Big Labor as it drives our jobs overseas.
Posted 09/03/2008 10:17 with
Good point thomas, it’s corporation-haters like Price that want to take away the profits of all successful corporations and give it to the illegals for housing, health care, and food—then complain all our jobs are going overseas. But Price is a brainwashed lib that wants to shoot himself in the foot and then blame the gun.
Posted 09/03/2008 11:18 with
Thanks to riteizrite and thomasjames for their charming, well mannered, and thoughtful eructations.
Posted 09/03/2008 11:35 with
Price, it is amazing how worried you seem to be about Palin’s inexperience since she is a “heart beat” away from the Presidency, yet you seem to have no trouble with YOUR actual “Heart Beat” itselfs lack of experience. As is typical Liberal elitists like you discount hard working everyday Americans because you believe YOU are so smart and they are so dumb. Keep in mind 3 years ago whil Palin was finishing up a term as Mayor and running for Lt. Gov. your guy was approving increases in Dog Fees for Chicago but that doesn’t seem to bother you.
Palin has more executive experinece from Mayor to Governor and has been a City Councilor and RUN a private business which I beleive is far more superior then anything Obama or Biden have EVER done. Finally I would rather have a hockey mom who cares about her family and has run a small business then a guy who counts amoung his geat supporters a man who tried to blow up the Capitol and is happy about it.
Price, stop hating on woman this just once again shows you which party respects woman just as they gave them the right to vote and fought to allow blacks to vote. Liberals like you like to attack and take credit for things others have done.
Posted 09/03/2008 12:55 with
Just wanted to add a little bit to this civil dialogue that’s taking place here. I believe the left’s criticism of Palin’s experience is a direct counter to the ongoing talking points of the right, including Mr. McCain, that Obama is a weak candidate because of his lack of foreign policy experience… and then picking someone out of the blue, with absolutely zero experience in that regard… would be akin to Marty Chavez attaining the Governor’s seat and then being picked for VP.
And lets be honest with ourselves, John McCaine did not choose anybody… nor did Obama for VP, the consultants that the DNC and the GOP force the candidates to use and the elites of the parties are the one’s who make those choices and it should be the media’s obligation to point out how the process really works.
Let’s also be honest when discussing abortion that neither the Republican party nor the Democratic party participate in any concerted effort to lower the abortion rate in this country, yet both parties cling to it as a hot button topic during election time.
As far as the “red scare” talking points about wanting to give corporate profits to welfare and immigrants, are you aware that the most successful corporations in this country report paying zero taxes… that’s even after receiving millions of “tax-incentives” from tax payers like you and me. I’m not for stealing profits but I think its the tax-payers right to expect a successful company to abide by the same tax-laws that the average person does.
Its also should be pointed out that if it is communism you fear, this administration is responsible for accruing trillions of dollars in debt, the majority of which is owned by China, Russia and Saudi Arabia… not exactly bastions of democracy.
At this time in American history, would it not be more prudent for its citizens to examine the workings of its own political system and the subversions therein? Both parties are in complete cahoots with lobbyist interests. Alarm bells and outrage should have reverberated through this country when the corporations who held our debates (a travesty in and of itself) barred various presidential candidates from participating in our democratic process.
Posted 09/03/2008 13:53 with
Palin is the only possible (if unlikely) candidate for Change in this election. Her inexperience in national politics leaves the possiblity that she may actually adhere to principles, instead of selling out to the military/imperial complex that is sure to be in control of a McCain, Obama, or Biden presidencey, maintaining business as usual. Should McCain get elected, then quickly die (as would be statistically and karmically correct) its just possible that President Palin would not be hypocritical enough to continue bombing Arabs to bring peace to the Middle East; to pay corporations to export American jobs in the name of economic development; to destroy schools for the improvement of education; to lock up ever more citizens in the crime factories we call prisons in order to make America safe; or to borrow $trillions from dictators to finance military boondoggles in the name of Conservatism.
Still, I don’t think I’ll be able to bring myself to vote for another Silver Spoon Republican.
Posted 09/03/2008 13:54 with
“Thanks to riteizrite and thomasjames for their charming, well mannered, and thoughtful eructations.” -V.B. Price
Perhaps if your article had been called, “A president associating with America-hating racists and homegrown terrorists and other foolish things” we might have been a little more supportive.
Posted 09/03/2008 13:56 with
“There have been record cold winters and snowfall recently all over the world, including here in NM, but the author is too stupid to believe it. He just sticks his head in the snow.. er… sand.”
This statement just proves that riteizrite has no concept of the complexity of global warming.
Posted 09/03/2008 14:09 with
Thanks V.B. just followin your example good buddy….
Posted 09/03/2008 14:16 with
Mr. Aragon while China and the Mid East do own large portions of our debt, the largest holder by far is Japan.
And I agree there needs to be a discussion of the perks being a corporate person and possibly doing away with notion of a corporate person. But the easiest way to fix our tax woes is to do what they have done in country’s like Ireland and Bulgaria. Flat tax of ten percent no matter whether you are an individual or corp. Then you can eliminate jerks like Buffett that brag about paying less taxes than their housekeeper. Bulgaria and Ireland by the way our seeing huge booms economically and in the quality of life for their people.
Posted 09/03/2008 14:50 with
actorharper, its you that doesn’t understand the complexities of “global warming.” These natural cycles have been going on for thousands of years; they are nothing new. They will continue with or without man’s help.
Posted 09/03/2008 14:57 with
thomasjames, reason would state that credible tax reform can only come after there’s been appropriate election/campaign finance reform.
Posted 09/03/2008 15:50 with
Mr Aragon, I can’t say that I disagree with your reason. While I am not sure that reform of these two things can’t occur simultaneously, I do agree that there needs to be a reform of election/campaign finance. I am huge believer in free speech but this notion that a corporation or a PAC special interest should be afforded what under the Constitution constitutes an individual right is suspect. Were it up to me (and yes I know its not) I would do away with PAC involvement in elections all together and I would let individuals contribute individually as much as they want. But allowing a special interest that is merely a conglomeration of corporate money with little oversight to determine the outcomes of elections does nobody except the special interests a service. Let the votes determine election not the special interest money!
Posted 09/03/2008 16:18 with
riteizrite, you misunderstood actorharper, what he/she meant was you have not drank the Goron cool aid and blindly believe is something that has large scientific holes in it.
Posted 09/04/2008 01:15 with
Like most members of any community in our amazing country, I can respect and relate to my soccer/hockey – mom neighbor, or my boyscout leader/fisherman/hunter neighbor, but I don’t want them as the leader of my country (let alone the entire free world – I mean really, folks, it’s not like we live in Canada!) City and state government can be springboards to something bigger for the right person with the right stuff, but not everyone can move beyond that arena – that’s not a slam or an accusation against anyone, it’s just a reality.
Am I the only crazy person in the room who thinks it’s a GOOD idea to have national leaders who are smarter and more educated than the average citizen (which includes me, and, I assume, you?) When did being smart and educated become a liability in politics, and when did it become the equivalent of being an elitist? What a ridiculous notion – but it’s one that’s been commonly argued in at least the last 4 or 5 elections. Why? Are we collectively becoming that illogical in our thinking? The reality is that elitists are not necessarily smart, but they often do things like forget how many houses they own, or define ‘rich’ as making $5 million or more a year. And people with bachelors degrees in communications (or any other college major for that matter, when there’s so little else on the resume,) are hard-pressed to prove themselves remotely capable in the incredible complexities of being the leader of a modern global superpower.
I encourage everyone to really think about this issue: do you want someone just like yourself, or even your town mayor, leading this nation? Do you think YOUR mayor or governor, wherever you live, has what it takes to be Vice President in a few years, or, for that matter, PRESIDENT in few years? My answer, for one, is a resounding NO – and based on the responses coming from most Alaskan citizens, from both parties, their answer is NO as well.
Posted 09/04/2008 10:09 with
That is not a cogent argument. You point is inherently flawed from the outset. You assume that just because someone is a hockey mom, boyscout leader middle American that they are not more intelligent than the average person. The argument for Sarah Palin after last nights speech is not only that she is highly intelligent person, but also she has what most elite ivory tower harvard law review types lack – the common sense real world perspective and experience of real life. I am sorry I think being a community organizer is hard noble work, but Palin defeats him in spades by being a mother of five, a small business owner, a mayor, and Governor of a state that is commonly associated with herding cats.
Also please cite some proof for your bald faced incorrect statement that most Alaskans say NO to Palin. I don’t think you can.
What is it about a good honest intelligent able woman that has you libs so terrified. I still could never bring myself to vote for McCain, but as somebody that was watching her before she got the nod. I have to say she would get my vote and I am multiple degree’d type of person.
What I don’t understand is why liberal elitist believe that higher education somehow readies a person for leadership or the choices of life. I can say with certainty that none of the degrees I received ever really made me more able to address tough choices or made me a better leader. Real world experience does that. And intelligence is not found in books. Knowledge is found in books, please don’t confuse book knowledge with intelligence they are not the same thing.
Posted 09/04/2008 16:13 with
I’d say her acceptance speech, her record and her experience show that she’s twice as smart, accomplished, experienced, witty, keen, decisive, and qualified as Obama/Biden together. Now for her character… she’s honest, has morals, values and integrity, and is real. Obama/Biden scores in the negative on all the above. And most important of all, she’s not a communist.
Posted 09/05/2008 09:45 with
Sarah Palin? We are spending all this time talking about a limited candidate for VP and I can only find two references to Nader/Gonzalez on the whole NM Independent website. Independent…are you freakin serious. Polling from 4-8% in NM, CO, and AZ is something worth covering unless the INDEPENDENT is not so independent to only cover the republocrats. Sarah Palin? Who is she and what has she done to make this a better country?
Posted 09/06/2008 13:24 with
Thank you, V.B.Price for being one who is thoughtful, thought provoking, investigates first and is very knowledgeable on so many levels. You bring out the best in us as human beings.
Posted 09/08/2008 08:02 with
What?..... what was thoughtful about what he wrote here? what investigating did he do?