I Hate It When I Think Of That Withering Comeback A Few Hours Later
I wrote about Michigan governor Granholm's taxpayer-funded initiative to make Michigan energy independent of, uh, Kentucky
Governor Granholm and Gov. James Doyle of Wisconsin seem to be tormented by the fact that the Midwest industrial engine imports much of its energy needs from coal states in the east and west. "Doyle has estimated that $226 billion leaves the region each year in energy costs that could be saved with alternative-energy installations and support jobs here," reported the Detroit Free Press.
I pointed out the absurdity of drawing every smaller circles on maps and claiming that wealth depended on that circle being self-sufficient.
But the pithy comeback would have been to ask how Ms. Granholm would react if, say, the the governors of California or Texas announced that were upset that billions of dollars leave their state every year to buy cars and that they were suggesting taxpayer-funded initiatives to free themselves of dependence on Rust Belt states for their transportation.
Allen:
Right, it's just some arbitrary measurement. What they need to worry about is the value they get from for their money. So, sure, they can shut down their coal and natural gas power plants. But for a state that doesn't have any money, I'd love to see where they'd come up with the $250 billion they'd need to build enough solar, wind, wave and turkey shit burning plants to generate the same power. Yes, I realize that $250b is a guess but considering how little energy these sources generate and how expensive storage solutions are to cope with their inconsistency, I wouldn't be surprised if $250b was low for powering a state like Michigan with 9 million people.
October 17, 2009, 11:53 amL Nettles:
I hate it that I can never remember the phrase L’esprit de l’escalier
October 17, 2009, 12:35 pmDaublin:
Your other comeback was better. When you put it the new way, people will view it as Michigan or California's government looking out for their state at the expense of others.
It's far more damning when you observe these leaders are hurting their own state at the expense of others.
October 17, 2009, 1:28 pmBrad K.:
If the Californians want to localize their transportation, they need to hurry. Congress is considering legislation that will over-ride state "right to work" laws so as to stop offending Union bosses eager to collect dues from non-members and tap into all those non-union jobs.
Unions spent a $billion getting Obama elected. They want their money's worth.
October 17, 2009, 1:42 pmChuck:
Hey Brad K
How do you get to where Unions spent a billion getting Obama elected? That's more then the entire election spent for everyone, yet alone just the union contributions to one person. When you overstate things you make folks just stop taking you serious. There is enough polemic and sound bite crap out there already.
As to the point of the blog entry - late comebacks - that's why you should wait and think it out; frankly both of your points make sense and are worthy of thought.
October 18, 2009, 8:19 ambrad:
It seems all governors are the same, so bad.
October 18, 2009, 10:54 pmMichael:
Allen, you sure Michigan has 9 million people. I'm in Ohio and were getting flooded with Michigan "illegals".
October 19, 2009, 12:52 amElliot:
Freud called them "Stair-step Thoughts", that which you come up with on the way home from an argument. I agree it's best to have a chance to consider your responses. The pithy-est responses I've seen are usually far from meaningful. Real discussions last longer than the initial argument and so "Great Victory" moments should not be the goal.
I agree with Chuck. If ever we are to shift arguments to more accurate sources and clearer thought the worse all this exageration is. (for the millionth time already!)
E
October 19, 2009, 5:52 amwise_old_bird:
Isn't California already doing this? Announcing that they do not want the old time cars from Detroit and would rather have snazzy hybrids from Japan?
October 19, 2009, 11:44 am