One of the main architects of the House of Representative’s “Cap and Trade” bill (HR 2454) that narrowly passed the House last July (2009) is Rep. Henry Waxman (CA).  Waxman, a very liberal Democrat congressman modeled the bill, in part, after similar laws that had already passed California’s Democratic controlled state legislature. Some of these state laws are now beginning to take effect in country’s most populous state.

One example is the California Public Utilities Commission requiring all utilities to install new “smart meter” boxes on homes and businesses in the state. The new meters will give public utilities greater control and monitoring ability over private household and business energy use.

The new system will eventually affect the way we use energy. The utilities will be able to change rates (mid-day) with their new meters. Ultimately, they will even be able to monitor and control home energy use when the ‘smart grid’ (page # 122 – section 141-146 of the House bill) is on-line. This technology will ultimately allow ‘big brother’ to control thermostats and temperatures of refrigerators and freezers as well. Seems contradictory that these same Democrat leaders don’t seem to abide by the same rules they have in store for us. Commenting on President Obama cranking up the WH  thermostat this winter, senior aide, Barry Axelrod responded by saying, “he’s from Hawaii … he likes it warm.” 

My local utility installed a ‘smart meter’ in my home recently. I didn’t want the new meter. Instead, I was told by the utility supervisor of the “smart meter group” that, as a customer, I didn’t have the choice of opting out. But what surprised me most of all was what my utilities second tier supervisor admitted.  She said that chip technology will be in place soon to control our thermostats, noting that it’s just a matter of time for it to be implemented.  She said though that “we still have the choice” of ‘opting out’ if we wanted to. Yeah, right!

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) wants nothing less than the government’s total control of our personal energy use. During the Presidential campaign last year, Obama said that “we can’t … keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times and then expect that other countries are going to say OK.” (May 2008) Somehow these leftist politicians think they know what’s best for all of us.

So why is this so important? Big government continues to reach into every aspect of our lives. This is yet another example. I don’t appreciate government bureaucrats telling me what temperature I can set my thermostat, freezer or refrigerator to. This is a blatant invasion of privacy.

The ‘Cap and Trade’ bill has yet to pass the United States Senate, but look out! It’s on their agenda for next year. The bill (when viewed as a whole), is nothing short of a job and personal freedom killing bill  – That is why it must be stopped at all costs !

James L. Lambert, a frequent contributor to ChristianMirror.net and author of Porn in America, is a licensed nationwide real-estate mortgage loan sales agent and can be contacted through his website.