Coal-Fueled Chamber Of Commerce Demands Lawmakers Defeat Health Reform In Order To ‘Stop’ Clean Energy Bill
Coal-Fueled Chamber Of Commerce Demands Lawmakers Defeat Health Reform In Order To ‘Stop’ Clean Energy Bill
Corporate front groups and large business trade associations are funneling their resources into defeating health reform. Even though health reform will lower costs for small businesses and boost worker productivity economy-wide, it appears that corporate entities influenced by major polluters are hoping that the defeat of health care legislation will slow President Obama’s agenda and derail their true enemy: clean energy reform.
The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, which is largely backed by the coal industry, candidly revealed this strategy in a letter released today to Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Robert Byrd (D-WV). The Chamber of Commerce demanded that the senators use “their clout and seniority” to obstruct the health reform debate until cap and trade legislation is taken off the table and the EPA is barred from regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant. As Ken Ward of the Charleston Gazette noted, Rockefeller has already rejected a similar proposal of blocking health reform unless the EPA stops reviewing mountaintop removal permits. The coal lobby has also pressured West Virginia state legislators to pass resolutions opposing clean energy reform.
The coal industry’s selfish push to block health reform displays how little it cares about West Virginia and the communities where coal is burned for energy. Not only do 19 percent of West Virginians lack health insurance, but coal is literally killing people:
– The American Lung Association reports that there are 24,000 premature deaths every year due to coal power plant pollution. In addition, the ALA research estimates that coal pollution causes over 550,000 asthma attacks, 38,000 heart attacks and 12,000 hospital admissions.
– A report by Physicians for Social Responsibility found that coal combustion releases mercury, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and dozens of other substances known to be hazardous to human health. These coal pollutants are associated with increased congestive heart failure, lung cancer, infant mortality, stunted lung development, and Ischemic stroke, among other diseases.
The national Chamber of Commerce is also fighting health reform tooth and nail. Like the West Virginia Chamber, the U.S. Chamber is dominated by coal and polluter interests and denies the science underpinning climate change. The U.S. Chamber’s extreme approached forced pro-clean energy companies Apple, Levi Strauss & Company, Mohawk Paper and the utilities Pacific Gas and Electric, Exelon and PNM Resources to resign from the Chamber. By killing both clean energy and health reform, U.S. Chamber President Tom Donohue may be hoping to protect his own wallet. Donohue sits on the board of a major coal industry player, Union Pacific.
Indeed, one of the most powerful corporate front groups, Americans for Prosperity, is focusing its efforts on defeating health reform. Although AFP is backed by oil industry giant David Koch, his ultimate goal of stopping clean energy appears to begin with stopping health reform.
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The Chamber of Commerce could reasonably be called the nation’s premier “death panel.”
November 21st, 2009 at 11:20 amThose companies are spending millions of dollars, in order to kill a bill or two. that could help the health of millions of people, including themselves.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:24 amOh what a country we live in.
i do notice that anti-healthcare chamber ads that have
taken over the msnbc commercial breaks…
i mean every other break… very dark, bleak…
healthcare reform will make you lose your job…
surely that audience knows better… but others will bite…
November 21st, 2009 at 11:25 amIs there any doubt left that Corporate America runs this nation?
November 21st, 2009 at 11:30 amThe West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, which is largely backed by the coal industry, candidly revealed this strategy in a letter released today to Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Robert Byrd (D-WV). The Chamber of Commerce demanded that the senators use “their clout and seniority” to obstruct the health reform debate until cap and trade legislation is taken off the table and the EPA is barred from regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant.
This will happen when hell freezes over. Both Senators are going to vote for the health care bill. The Chamber of Commerce is pissing in the wind.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:36 amPlease consume less. It isn’t hard to do
November 21st, 2009 at 11:45 amThat fact was obvious at least since the Republicans kicked Teddy Rosevelt out of their party. But even before that, there were the railroad barons …
I think we’re just more aware now.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:46 amSo these folks want you to get sick from pollution but not be able to go to a doctor for treatment? That’s the American spirit!
http://www.political-buzz.com/
November 21st, 2009 at 11:46 amBriseadh na Faire says:
“I think we’re just more aware now.”
And the tendrils are more deeply entwined.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:53 amIt sure would be nice if the solar panel industry was given the same clout as coal.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:54 amMoney makes the world go around,
Of that we can be sure….on being poor. (Cabaret)
Money and profits – that’s all that counts.
We make people get sick, so what?
Those sick people can’t afford health care, so what?
We are making a lot of money, our shareholders are happy.
There are powerful forces coalescing in their efforts to preserve the status quo.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:58 amOT
A letter to the editor today was from a family of four, who were paying 1200/month $5,000 deductible for health insurance. They switched to a more affordable $300/month and $10,000 deductible.
This family is OPPOSED to health care reform!
What is it that makes people so obtuse?
November 21st, 2009 at 12:01 pmInstead of obstructing and twisting the truth, the CofC would be better served to adapt to the new realities.
By choosing to reject the reality of climate change, and the need to adjust to that reality, it could be said that they and their members are missing out on new opportunities! Which is not how I thought ‘capitalists’ worked.
Instead, they’re choosing to invest their money in preserving the status quo. Not smart for them and not good for our planet.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:17 pmOT
A letter to the editor today was from a family of four, who were paying 1200/month $5,000 deductible for health insurance. They switched to a more affordable $300/month and $10,000 deductible.
This family is OPPOSED to health care reform!
What is it that makes people so obtuse?
The whole concept of being able to manage your finances most likely. With the suggested plans you are REQUIRED to have insurance. Basically if you don’t then they will take 2.5% of your pay and give it to you.
With their $300 a month plan they have the option of going without health insurance if something comes up (Home repairs, car repairs, school expenses a non covered meddical necessity). If the plan passes they have no choice.
The whole concept that gets people is that you have no choice, none. You are required to have health insurance. Regardless of anything else, you can’t opt out of paying for care. Granted you can still opt out of care, you just still have to pay for it regardless of what you decide to do.
There are many people out there fear mongering people into needing insurance. What if you get sick? What if a terrorist attacked and you got anthrax? There are stories all over “This guy didn’t get the care he needed, because he couldn;t afford healthcare”. The government said it would save 10-20% of costs. Do you really think that guy can now afford the $300 plan because it would now only be $240-$270. Doesn’t matter because he now HAS to buy it.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:19 pmOur whole energy policy is based on fossil fuels. The companies that sell these fuels are not going to allow solar energy to be developed because they cannot charge for the consumption. Research into solar needs to be done by companies that have no ties to the fossil fuel companies. At this time, solar panels are too expensive for the average consumer. The upfront cost is why this industry has not been able to make a large penetration. What is needed from the average consumer’s standpoint is a small inexpensive device that can be attached to the electric lines that provide some solar and wind energy to people’s homes and bring down electric bills. If this device was within the average consumer’s reach, it would be a great start toward energy independence. The loss of a complete hold on our energy policy would force the fossil companies into solar and wind technologies. If they don’t come onboard, they will not survive.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:32 pmThe government requires people to have auto insurance. It didnt nationalize auto-care and requiring people to have health insurance wont nationalize health care.
A high premium assures you will pay in 300 a month to a Ponzi scheme and not make a claim.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:33 pmMoney, profit, and destruction of the environment trumps healthy living. A lose-lose proposition.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:34 pmThe American Way.
Im surprised the coal industry hasnt started selling cigarettes and health insurance to boost their profits.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:37 pmHere, have some tar and nicotine with your coal and to show we care we will sell you health insurance then rescind your ass for smoking our cigarettes and inhaling our powerplant fumes.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:39 pmBTW we just started producing alcohol we care about your depression, really -=Big Coal Ethanol Company=-
November 21st, 2009 at 12:40 pmDie slowly, Die Drunk, Die Depressed, Die with the power on, Die with us. -=Big Coal Products Inc=-
November 21st, 2009 at 12:42 pmThe government requires people to have auto insurance. It didnt nationalize auto-care and requiring people to have health insurance wont nationalize health care.
Driving is a privilage, living isn’t. Requiring people to “Pay to live” is a horrible thing.
A high premium assures you will pay in 300 a month to a Ponzi scheme and not make a claim.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:46 pmAnd requiring people that have no interest in playing that stupid game, just helps out the insurance guys.
The liberals seem to think government shouldn’t be run by private interest groups.
(Ya think, crappy parody troll?)
November 21st, 2009 at 12:51 pmTundra,
If any of what you said was true the insurance lobby and the coal lobby would be for this instead of against it.
Try to think for yourself occationally. I know you’ve never done it and it’s scary, but it gets easier once you start.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:51 pmYou make statements as if they were fact but you cannot prove the above because it’s a lie.
Look at it this way, I can say you are a child molester and it means just as much as what you said.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:54 pmOT Breaking News..
Sen. Mary Landreau WILL VOTE to allow Debate to begin, on the Health Care Reform Bill. She just said so, on the floor of the Senate.
That just leaves Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark) to decide whether she will block the vote on Health Care Reform.
I bet she Won’t.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:58 pmThey’re all TRAITORS! After months of my beloved MSM declaring the public option dead they vote to allow this. It virchewally gareuntees the public owption will be in the fynal bill because all they need now is a majority vote! Freedom to be corrupt and screw over the customer will be gone!
What would our founders say??? AETNA is a type of torniquet?
November 21st, 2009 at 1:04 pmBaucus, you are no longer my favorite backstreet boy.
November 21st, 2009 at 1:07 pmTundra at 12:19 pm
With their $300 a month plan they have the option of going without health insurance if something comes up (Home repairs, car repairs, school expenses a non covered meddical necessity). If the plan passes they have no choice.
Any family with limited enough means that they have to opt out of a $300 a month health insurance policy will be better off in the new system. They’ll be able to see a doctor when they should, instead of going to the ER after things are bad. Health insurance isn’t something you can turn on and off like a light switch. They WILL make you catch up the missed payments, or they will cancel you outright.
November 21st, 2009 at 1:12 pmWe can’t stop some people from wanting to shit in the nest. They know it’s cheap when they can put the cost of pollution on someone else – or in someone else’s water or air. They think they and their offspring are immune or will be able to purchase a nice bubble to live in. Or will be able to live somewhere else. We can’t stop Donohue from being a stupid, greedy, avaricious shit. All we can do is work to shut him and his fellows down.
November 21st, 2009 at 1:14 pmI’m really beginning to hate living in a corporatocracy.
If any lawmaker in my legislative area allows BS like this to interfere with their duty to represent us, I’ll work my ass off to find a primary election rival that will kick them to the curb.
November 21st, 2009 at 1:16 pmTundra – in Marie’s example at #12 that family is paying $3,600/yr. in a gamble that they will not have to file any claims.
Because if they DO have to file ANY claims they’ll need to pay that insurance company $13,600 in any given year to have ANYTHING REIMBURSED (the $300/mo. plus the $10k deductible). So all that $3,600 is buying is a tiny bit of peace of mind that if anything catastrophic happened to any of them they’d ONLY have to pay $13,600 in that one year out-of-pocket (heaven forbid if the catastrophic event straddled two years forcing them to deal with $20,000 in deductibles!).
Sounds like a legal scam to me.
November 21st, 2009 at 1:20 pmXisithrus says:
“Die slowly, Die Drunk, Die Depressed, Die with the power on, Die with us…”
And that’s not the end folks, no not at all!
November 21st, 2009 at 1:38 pmWe’ll lay your weary remains to rest in beautiful
Mountain Top Meadows!
An uncannily flat expanse of green upon one of Appalachia’s formerly useless peaks!
Act now! Plots are running out!
No money down! Easy payments!
Layaway now for your layaway later!
Wow, that makes a lot of sense to me dude, I like it.
RT
November 21st, 2009 at 1:39 pmOnline Privacy when it Counts
In the absence of an open thread – check out this cartoonist’s example of a ‘pre-existing condition’:
http://crooksandliars.com/bluegal/us-senate-saturday-session-open-thread
November 21st, 2009 at 2:01 pmRequiring people to “Pay to live” is a horrible thing.
Its amoral, I agree. But many times they are charging healthy people to live then cancelling what they paid in to not live
November 21st, 2009 at 2:15 pmAnd that’s not the end folks, no not at all!
We’ll lay your weary remains to rest in beautiful
Mountain Top Meadows!
Heh
November 21st, 2009 at 2:19 pmThese people have no souls.
November 21st, 2009 at 2:26 pmRequiring people to “Pay to live” is a horrible thing. -Tundra
Requiring people to pay trillions for war so people will die is a horrible thing as well as subsidizing lung disease.
November 21st, 2009 at 2:29 pmWoo Hoo!!
Sen. Blanche Lincoln WILL vote YES to allow the debate to proceed.
She just said so, on the floor of the Senate. By my count…that makes 60!
November 21st, 2009 at 2:35 pmThere are so many accounting tricks allowing corporations to privatize profit and publicize loss, so that they can afford to lobby against us and pay big bucks to give the impression that it’s the elderly and people with disabilities draining the life out of our economy.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20091019/biggers/2” rel=”nofollow”>
November 21st, 2009 at 2:48 pmThe Coal Field Uprising
Screwed up that link. Google it, if you haven’t read it. It’s an excellent article.
November 21st, 2009 at 2:49 pmymax says:
Those companies are spending millions of dollars, in order to kill a bill or two. that could help the health of millions of people, including themselves.
Oh what a country we live in.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:24 am
It makes perfect sense to them. By the time their workers become ill enough to interfere with productivity, their children are old enough to begin working coal. Toss the older workers out on the street and start killing the next generation. They are much to greedy to see the future effects of their actions
November 21st, 2009 at 3:25 pmThe people fighting both health reform and clean energy kill a heck of a lot more people every single year than died on one day in September of 2001. They may not fit into the common definition of terrorists, but they kill and injure more people every day of every year than any terrorist or terrorist group. Perhaps Gitmo should remain open to house these American psychopaths.
November 21st, 2009 at 4:04 pm@ 44. winddancer says: The people fighting both health reform and clean energy kill a heck of a lot more people every single year than died on one day in September of 2001. They may not fit into the common definition of terrorists, but they kill and injure more people every day of every year than any terrorist or terrorist group. Perhaps Gitmo should remain open to house these American psychopaths. November 21st, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Nah, not American psychopaths, just ordinary idiot international business greedheads. Of course, they are willing to sacrifice other lives and everyone’s environment for the almighty dollar (or the currency of their choice); they’re fine as long as they’re not on the recieving end of the crap dispensing hose.
They’re fighting like crazy because they’re fearful. They’re afraid of being priced out of the market by someone who can do it cheaper, perhaps who isn’t subject to the same regulations. They don’t want to spend the money on the science and engineering that would enable them to minimize their carbon and other pollution footprints; they’d rather keep doing the same old same old instead of getting ahead of the regulatory curve. And the regulatory curve will get them – either that or the crap they keep spewing will. I don’t want to be around for the latter, having had enough already.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:48 am