McCain and Obama on Transportation and Energy
In case you hadn't heard, this country will hold a presidential election on Tuesday, Nov. 4. KickingTires presents to you the respective proposals on energy and transportation issues from Arizona Sen. John McCain and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. The candidates have many issue areas where their proposals overlap, so we've broken down the plans, followed by their areas of strong disagreement. As always, we'd love to know what you think in the comments. Read the full breakdown after the jump.
John McCain
Transportation: Sen. McCain proposes a Clean Car Challenge that will award one automaker a $5,000 consumer tax credit for the first zero-carbon-emission car, a $300 million prize to the developer of the first battery package that will "leapfrog" current plug-in and electric technology, and an elimination of tariffs and subsidies that support domestic bio-fuels, like ethanol.
Energy: McCain wants to use tax credits to support wind, solar, hydro-electric and bio-fuels and increase domestic oil and natural-gas production. He also wants to invest in clean-coal technology and a cap-and-trade system for carbon, and build 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030.
Barack Obama
Transportation: Sen. Obama's most ambitious proposal is to have one million plug-in hybrid cars on the road by 2015. To encourage this, he wants to create a $7,000 tax credit for any advanced plug-in vehicle and increase fuel economy standards by 4% each year while providing $4 billion to domestic automakers to retool and encourage the production of these cars. He also supports bio-fuels and wants 60 billion gallons of it phased into the fuel supply by 2030.
Energy: Obama wants to invest $15 billion a year to develop alternative energy sources like wind, solar and hydro-electric, with the goal of having 25% of American energy come from these sources by 2025. He also wants to invest in clean-coal technology, implement a carbon cap-and-trade system and weatherize a million low-income homes each year.
The Major Differences:
Not surprisingly, McCain favors a market-based approach to developing plug-in hybrid cars and alternative energy sources, while Obama wants more direct government involvement in research and development. The candidates differ on bio-fuels, with Obama — a farm state senator — supporting ethanol subsidies while McCain vehemently opposes them, as well as tariffs on imported bio-fuels. Obama firmly believes in raising fuel efficiency standards quickly, while McCain supports only the current ones.
On energy issues, it's a difference of emphasis: While both support a complete energy package, McCain stresses domestic drilling and nuclear energy while Obama emphasizes renewable energy sources. Finally, Obama supports a windfall profit tax on oil companies, with the revenue supporting a $1,000 energy rebate to American families. McCain opposes such a measure, citing its uneven results during the Carter administration.
Click here to see McCain's energy plan and click here to see Obama's.
Images from PresidentialPrizefight.com
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Wow.
I am a democrat, but I feel that subsidizing ethanol is the wrong thing to do.
Also, a windfall profit tax on oil companies? It's pretty amazing how they can sell a gallon of gasoline for less than $3.50 after what the gas goes through to bring it to the gas station down the street from your home.
They have to use expensive equipment to find it in the ground.
Drill for it miles below the surface (or more) when it is found.
Ship it thousands of miles by boat or pipeline, etc...
Refine it and add all sorts of different additives to meet different standards of different cities.
Truck it to your local gas station for you to purchase.
And all that for about a nickel a gallon profit. Sometimes they don't even make a profit. The government usually tacks on at least 20 cents; for doing nothing.
A gallon of milk now costs about $3.50 at least (Costco price), and all they have to do is milk it from a local (relatively) cow, pastuerize and bottle it, then ship it to the store.
Gas here in Kansas City is now $1.95, which is amazing considering how far its come and how much it has been handled before it gets to me.
Both of these guys are talking about 2025 or 2030 when these ideas could be fully taken advantage of? This is typical politics. All feel good speeches for the times. Complete BS. Whoever the president is in 2025 or 2030 will be still trying to figure out how to get from under a trillion dollar deficit as opposed to energy policies.
Liger, Exxon is the nation's most profitable company.
The difference is that McCain has a more realistic approach. And, clearly Obama is clueless when it comes to the market economy. 80 percent of taxes are passed on to the consumer. So, effectively, consumers will get the tax rebate and spend it on gas because the cost will increase for a gallon of it. Why don't we just put everybody on welfare? That's what Obama wants. I can't believe people are actually going to vote for this guy. I think if you are going to vote for Obama, you should take half of your kid's candy and give it to the kids who are too lazy to go trick or treating.
I too will be voting for McCain because his policies make more sense to me. Besides, I work too d**m hard for my money to go to people who sit around watching TV all day and buy steak and shrimp with food stamps. I once worked 3 jobs (1 full time and 2 part time) to make ends meet. Why can't these bums work one? Sorry to get off subject but Obama's policies p*ss me off. One more thing, if Exxon earned their money legit, who cares? It's what you call a competitive market and they are obviously the best at what they do. If you tax success, what happens to initiative and productivity? It dies and you end up like the former Soviet Union.
I know this is not necessarily a political piece, but for the two above posters, what the hell are you talking about? 80% of taxes go to the consumer? What? When did this happen? Why would Obama want everyone to be on welfare? Do you know how many people are on welfare? Do you think it is a majority or something? You are a jackass. Please don't vote, you're wasting everyone else's future. As for the other crap, so what if you worked three jobs? Did you ever get laid off of the main one? Hey DS, no sorry Adrian - not everyone is on welfare, and if you think McCain or anyone else is going to stop funding it... wait yes, you do. Brilliant. You think Exxon made their money by innovation? You really are smart. Here's there corporate plan, someone needs something we've got, lets raise the price! Genius! Talk about innovation! There is not competition in oil. It is a dwindling resource, where the big guys are squeezing out all the little ones. The reason it is so bad is oil basically crippled the economy, before the bank crisis did (do you remember that one brilliance?). Yeah why not let those companies who hold vital resources and charge whoever they want to a huge price. How about the next time your electric bill goes up 5 times you don't complain. Or then when food doubles, don't complain. Or when water triples in price, make sure you don't complain then either, because all of those things can happen, legitimately. We wouldn't want to fix, because yes then we would end up like the USSR. You are an idiot.
Hey Bloke,
Did I offend thee? Turn off CNN and MSNBC and go educate yourself. I suggest you first read "Basic Economics" and then "Economic Facts and Fallacies" by Thomas Sowell. It's great reading to cure your warped mind. Also, if you actually think oil companies or any other companies raise their prices for the hell of it, you're too stupid to even know you're stupid. Prices are driven by supply and demand, dummy. Stop drinking the Obama and left wing media Kool Aid and get some common sense, fool. What Bowrider was getting at is that if you raise taxes on small businesses and major corporations, they then offset it by: 1)raising the prices on the goods they produce, 2)laying off employees, and in the worst case scenario, 3)go out of business or move their operations overseas eventually leaving many, many people in this great country without work and being forced to possibly turn to welfare of some sort. Like I said, get educated.
nothing against brooke, but she is one of those persons that just reads the spin and repeats it. both sides do that. had a coworker that is like that. there is no real input from his part in what he says. one might as well be listening to keith olberman. have another that i like listening to rush.
Adrian, thank you for at least making reference to where you get your BS from. I will take time to read that.
But prices are driven by supply and demand only to the extent that there is not a monopoly on something. Do you really think there is a competitive market for oil? And DS no sorry Adrian, when did I say you raise taxes on small businesses? Educate? You need to learn to read first. If a business cannot compete, then they go out of business so be it. Do you really believe in trickle down economics? That is what both Reagan and Bush believed and wow, does the economy do well when that policy is in place. You think we shouldn't tax the richest 1% because they will reinvest it in their corporations? What a bunch of BS. Turn off Fox news and then yeah you will see little more too. How many companies moved overseas in the past 8 years when the corp taxes were at their lowest levels in years? Again DS, sorry Adrian, how do you account for that then? Boy they should have been flying high over here in the states, but no they moved to Mexico and other countries where the labor rates are a lot lower just so those rich bums could get richer. Yeah but that is innovative.
Have to defend myself. You're entiteled an opinion, Bloke, but don't call me a jackass. I have a degree in economics and I know what I'm talking about. Adrian already explained my point; I just was trying to save space when I wrote. There is a need for regulation, and some gov't intervention, but not to the extent that liberals like Obama want. The economy is cyclical; downturns occur. And, we have a Democratic Congress. You Dems always seem to forget that. Addionally, Ben Bernanke has more influence on the economy than the President. Your homosexual boy Barney Frank should be held accountable for the market turmoil because he is a corrupt bastard and ignored his reponsibilities because he was tapping one of your other politicians. I won't even go into the supply and demand argument but you can keep on writing your rants about oil and keep on sounding ignorant. What is scary is that ignorant folks like you are the ones who vote for Obama and so many of your are out there.
Yes Bloke, you are entitled to your opinion even when you're dead wrong and/or delusional. That's what makes this country great. I'm not going to waste any more of my valueble time on you because you obviously just don't get it. If, God forbid, Obama is elected Tuesday and this country goes further in the tank in 2 years with the guidance of Reid and Pelosi, who are you going to blame then? Oh yeah, I remember, George Bush. Once again, get educated and get a life, loser.
One more thing, Bloke, last time I checked, Exxon/Mobil doesn't have a monopoly on oil. Haven't you ever heard of Chevron/Texaco, BP/Amoco, Conoco/Phillips, etc.? Monopolies only exist when there is only one entity providing a service in a given area. Examples of this would be the phone company, electric company, gas company, etc.
Hey uh Bumrider, sorry Jackass... no sorry bumrider, but yeah you have a degree in economics and you must know what you are talking about. If I have a PhD in it, I must know more then you huh? You love Barney Frank and you know it, you resort to homosexual slinging only because you can't get over the fact you are gay. But it is okay, I got nothing against that, even though it is the biggest thing a Republican can hang their hat on. Tell me again how this downturn is cyclical... Alan Greenspan himself admits there should have been more regulation. Cyclical, yeah keep it coming. And the President directly influences the law, Ben Bernanke does not. How much more of an effect can you have? Economics degree, yeah the University of Crackerjack quit giving those out years ago.
And to Adrian, please give me some more knowledge. You information carries the weight of helium. If you cannot see around a literal definition of something, where can you get? So what if there is more than one company in the business, if they are all acting in concert then where is the competition? That is the heart of it, do you really believe they compete and innovate? Or did they sit on their thumbs and let the profits roll in? I think you know the answer. Yes you and above are economics geniuses because you know that when there is less supply the price goes up, and when demand goes down the price goes down, and the variations thereof. But did either of you guys get beyond chapter 1 of an economics book? Have you ever taken a course that discuss public policy? Both of you have complete faith in corporations not to violate the antitrust laws when they can gain a million dollars by raising the price of gas by $.01 for a day (I know it is not exact, but you also know it is a valid point)? Do you even blame any of the economic upheaval on the current administration or do you just blame it on a Democratic Congress, or the Democrats before they had control?
And boys, I believe you are boys, I am not a democrat or republican. I am independent. I would vote either way if someone would portray some semblance of a truthful idea, instead of trying to feed fear and mistrust through society. That is what this country has been about for at least the last 6 years if not longer. And besides do you really want the governor of Alaska having something to do with running this country? You guys must really love oil.
And really as far as transportation, I would love to see a candidate put money behind light rail transportation. I think that is the only to succeed in the future. That may not be the near future, but I think that will be the way to go.
Dude, calm down before you give yourself a heart attack. I think you're the one being childish in all of this because you know deep down inside you have no leg to stand on and attacking Bowrider's degree and accusing him of homosexuality is totally in the gutter and a testament to the type of person you are.
Anyone with a brain can tell you the economy has its ups and downs, cycles, or however you choose to describe it. If not, we would still be in the recession we were in decades ago if not something worse.
Every company that offers the same product of service competes and innovates on some level. Once again, for example young Bloke, look at the difference between McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's. Yes, they all sell hamburgers but each one offers you something a little different from the other. The same is with oil companies, when you pull up to the pump, the base product may be the same (like the base product with the companies above is beef), but each oil company has additives that make their brand different from their competitor thus claming their product is better for you engine, the environment, or both. You can use cell phone companies as an example if you wish too.
I'm and independent too but the difference between me and you is that I know truth and common sense when I see it.
It is a common rebuttal to call someone childish whenever that is the attitude you yourself exhibit. It is okay though, you can say all you want with that kind of business, I know you sit behind your screen feeling very safe and protected, otherwise you wouldn't say half the stuff you do on here. Is it so bad to be accused of homosexuality? Are you worried about poor mister bumrider? He throws the term out there like it is not a big deal, so why are you worried about it?
Now wait, what recession was it decades ago? The 80's? Did you bother to look up any of the historical causes for it? Yes economies have ups and downs, that is a given. But a recession of this magnitude is not an up and down. You portray it like any Republican politician who goes along with the president.
What gas companies advertise different additives and have all different formulations? Wow, I mean Sunoco offering 4 choices of octane levels really gets you going huh? You are comparing industries that are totally different. McDonalds and Burger King compete with any other restaurant out there, not just fast food ones. How many big and small business are in the restaurant business? Is there that kinds of competition with oil? And oil, not gasoline. And what of cell phone companies? Didn't Congress have to pass legislation in order to allow some of the more consumer friendly provisions into cell phone contracts?
Keep telling yourself you have common sense. How many times did you vote for Bush?
If we were in person, I'd say the same things to your face. None of this started until you started your juvenile name calling and insults in your first post all because someone has a different opinion than you. The Great Depression was very devestating too from what we've read in history but we made it back from there. What's stopping us from coming out of this?
If were in person, I'd be more than willing to buy you a one way ticket to Cuba or Venezuela. I think you'd get along well with Fidel or Hugo but there you'd have to compete with Sean Penn for his attention. You're hopeless.
Oh yeah,
"What gas companies advertise different additives and have all different formulations?"
Chevron/Texaco has "Techron", Shell has "V Power". These are detergent formulations, which are different from octane ratings.
Obviously, my point using hamburger joints went by you like a speeding truck on the intersate. Give it up.
Give what up Adrian? You try to make an analogy that is utterly un-applicable and you say give it up? You can't take a little jousting huh? Sorry, I will try to refrain. Egos can be a very sensitive thing I understand, I know you wouldn't say any of this if we were standing in a room because you would have gotten laughed right out trying to compare oil and hamburger chains. And oh no, I started "this", yeah it is a blog, that is what happens, try and deal with it, don't cry. And yes I said oil originally, but you do have a great point with the different gas companies and additives. That means just about between squat and scat to the average American. Do you really go shopping at the gas pump that has the additives that the company advertises or do they just go to the one with the cheapest gas? If you do, I know millions who don't and never would.
Do you know what got us out of the great depression? WWII. If we fought a war of that magnitude now there wouldn't be any hamburger or oil chains to complain about. And where does Cuba or Venezuela come in? Why because I don't like the current administration I should be kicked out of the country? Hah! If everyone followed along like you and the other lemmings this country would be like Cuba and Venezuela.
Seems like the only one crying here is you, Bloke. I'm a big boy and can take a few jabs even when they are thrown wildly. I still stand by my analogy regardless of what you and your lefty friends think. I was showing you how companies who sell virtually the same product compete with each other for our dollars by offering something different to gain an edge over their competitor. I'm "sorry" if you and your lefties can't understand that.
Your light rail idea a few posts ago would be feasable for large populated areas but the costs would outweigh the benefits in rural communities like where I live. Well, it will be Monday in a few hours and I have to go back to work. Pimp slapping you around on this blog has been a great outlet for my fustration with the Obama Collective going into Tuesday. Vote for who you personally think is the best person but don't make this man out to be more than who he is. There is only one Savior and Obama is NOT thy name. I think I've made my points clear and concisely so I now yield this screen to others who want to chime in. Later dude.
Awww, come on don't leave just when it is getting good. What leftie friends? What are lefties? Anybody with a mind towards economics, like you say you are, would not compare big oil to hamburgers. You can stand by whatever and whoever you want, you just can't admit being wrong. You emulate those who you vote for. Not surprising. I don't think Obama is anymore a savior than Bush is the devil. I never said anything like that. I think Obama will have a tough road ahead fixing any or all of the mistakes the latest administration has brought on the world. But that is if he wins. If McCain wins then well we are in the crapper for at least another 4 years. I would have loved it if he would have won back in 2000, I would have voted for him back then.
Ignoring these in favor of a method that does not yet exist and that may not even work is foolhardy.If climate change is not addressed the economic losses alone are beyond imagination. They will make the amount of money saved by continuing with coal instead of solar power look like a drop in the ocean.