The fanatic single-mindedness of the federal bureaucracy is discouraging to businesses—and taxpayers. Take Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) for example. The Supreme Court has already heard the case likely to re-reestablish guidelines by June. But the Environmental Protection Agency is spending major time and millions to expand their harassment and fining capabilities.
Then there’s USDA tinkering with beef labeling rules, not from the perspective of aiding average consumers but pleasing small numbers of activists. The comment period has been extended.
Changes to reimbursing private Medicare Advantage plans will be phased in over three years instead of one—2024—as originally planned. Did they discover 2024 was an election year, and not the time to infuriate seniors? Another report estimated Medicare could cover costs until 2031, instead of 2028. Social Security would not cover costs in 2035.
The “easiest” way to fix Social Security is not even mentioned.
“To improve Social Security’s long-term finances Congress could cut benefits, raise taxes or a combination of the two,” according to a Wall Street Journal story.
The suggestion was Social Security would last longer if retirees all took a 20% pay cut in 2034.
The easiest way? Raising the retirement age gradually, starting about 30 years ago. They’re not budging. Biden said no negotiations—before the riots in France over raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.
The estimate on Social Security insolvency would come one year earlier than they thought because of “an economic slowdown, persistent inflation and weaker productivity growth …” Wonder how that happened?
The French protesters now include more younger people, claiming they’re burning garbage piles and pelting cops for their parents. Unions have not been working, just protesting.
Gas stoves. Biden said he wasn’t going to ban them. Either he was prevaricating or he has neither control over nor knowledge of what his agencies are already pursuing. Cities in non-blue-flame states have already banned gas stoves and appliances in new buildings. Imagine steakhouses and burger restaurants forbidden gas grills.
One Consumer Product Safety commissioner openly talked about a ban. The chairman carefully split hairs—a ban is not in the immediate future.
Biden’s administration filed an amicus brief supporting the gas stove ban in Berkeley, CA. The Department of Justice and Department of Energy said authorities should be able to exercise police powers to prohibit “dangerous” or “unsafe” equipment, according to the Wall Street Journal report, “The Coming Gas Stove Culture War.”
If persuasion, subsidies and shaming doesn’t work—coercion.
There is an $840 rebate in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to buy an electric stove—for our already overtaxed electrical grid. A power plant was fined $39 million for falling short during a cold snap, apparently short of natural gas and electricity. Energy supply and pipeline permit problems with well restrictions are serious problems for oil and gas companies, utilities and customers.
Unelected bureaucrats are rewriting Congress’ laws. The Treasury Department is changing the definitions of the IRA law regarding electric vehicle (EV) subsidies to boost them.
Continuing the hornswoggling Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) saga. Manchin wanted to encourage EV manufacturing, parts sourcing and battery making in the U.S. If we’re subsidizing EVs, average Americans should benefit. Individual income limits: under $150,000, and pickup and SUV prices under $80,000, $55,000 for sedans.
Half of the $7,500 credit was tied to battery mineral components extracted or processed in the U.S. or a free trade partner. The other half involved battery components from North America, according to the Wall Street Journal report, “A Bait-and-Switch on Electric Vehicles.
Most U.S.-available EVs now wouldn’t qualify. So, Treasury got busy, first raising income levels, then proposing no restrictions on leased vehicles. One-off free trade agreements just to skirt the law are okay, like the new White House deals.
Manchin is angry that the Treasury is eviscerating his conditions.
“It is a pathetic excuse to spend more taxpayer dollars as quickly as possible …” he said. Washington in a nutshell.
Goldman Sachs calculated the Treasury’s work would increase 10-year subsidies for climate and energy from $391 billion to over $1.2 trillion.
Automakers aren’t fighting. They’re spending hundreds of billions to tool up to make EVs. Ford laid off hundreds in gas engine design because, well, what new gas engines?
Last step in coercion? Banning gasoline engine spare parts.
A commenting period is open for 60 days after the proposed rule (REG-120080-22) appears in the Federal Register on April 17. The rule can be read at www.regulations.gov.
This economic morass and inflation cycle was executed to serve activists, using the uninformed, not to make life better for average citizens. They preach short-term pain for long-term gain. Their moronic version of short-term is several decades—long after the coercing politicians and bureaucrats are gone. — Steve Dittmer, WLJ columnist
(Steve Dittmer is the author of the Agribusiness Freedom Foundation newsletter. Views in the column do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of WLJ or its editorial staff.)
