Article

2019-05-31 Economy

[Washington Examiner] Markets thrive on competition. Unfortunately, this doesn’t just apply to real economic markets. It also applies to markets for bad ideas and political pandering.

With approximately 200 Democrats now running for president (we lost count a few weeks ago), the bidding to bribe Iowa caucusgoers is becoming intense. This is unfortunate not just because it is unseemly but also because the offers are coming at the expense of the nation’s well-being and the environment’s health.

The worst pander so far comes from Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. When she is not privately belittling her staff in ALL CAPS 4 a.m. emails, Klobuchar is attempting to gain traction in Iowa by fattening the wallets of ethanol barons. Her specific plan is to stop granting waivers to small refiners that let gasoline producers out of a small part of the requirement that they mix their product with large volumes of ethanol, which is economically unnecessary and environmentally harmful.
"GET ME A SALAD COMB!!111!!!"
The blending requirement exists solely to subsidize an industry that would barely exist without it. Ideally, the government would grant universal waivers and let the market decide how much ethanol it wants in gasoline. But unfortunately, this is not how the real world works.

It would not be worth paying much heed to Klobuchar’s opening bid, except that it will be matched and exceeded by several other Democratic candidates who actually have a chance of winning their party’s nomination. Even worse, President Trump, a fan of ethanol since before his second-place Iowa finish in 2016, may feel a need to increase his own bid when the general election season rolls around.

Iowa’s critical role in selecting nominees, especially Democratic nominees, has made ethanol nearly bulletproof. Unless more politicians gain the kind of courage that Sen. Ted Cruz displayed when he promised to phase out ethanol subsidies during his presidential run in 2016, unnecessary ethanol mandates are here to stay.

Posted by Besoeker 2019-05-31 00:48|| || Front Page|| [11133 views ] Top

#1 There are ethanol free pumps all over Florida because of marine engines. Such product can be found by visiting pure-gas.org

Posted by M. Murcek 2019-05-31 01:51|| 2019-05-31 01:51|| Front Page Top

#2 The Iowa and New Hampshire primaries are the other side of the push to eliminate the Electoral College. "First in the nation" primary status should be outlawed. Make 'em all at the same time just like elections. Screw the people in Dixville Notch.

Posted by M. Murcek 2019-05-31 01:54|| 2019-05-31 01:54|| Front Page Top

#3 I am waving good bye with only one finger.

Posted by gorb 2019-05-31 05:09|| 2019-05-31 05:09|| Front Page Top

#4 seems a wrong title

should be "we are stuck with ethanol"

Posted by lord garth 2019-05-31 06:27|| 2019-05-31 06:27|| Front Page Top

#5 "No corn for oil!"

Posted by Raj 2019-05-31 07:25|| 2019-05-31 07:25|| Front Page Top

#6 Same is true in Wisconsin for snowmobiles and small engines.

Ethanol doesn't play nice with a 10,000 RPM Weed Trimmer (or other hi-rev) motor.

Posted by Mullah Richard 2019-05-31 08:19|| 2019-05-31 08:19|| Front Page Top

#7 You can still purchase gasoline without Ethanol, but the additives removal will cost a bit more.

Posted by Besoeker 2019-05-31 10:33|| 2019-05-31 10:33|| Front Page Top

#8 Yeah B, funny that.

Posted by Mullah Richard 2019-05-31 12:17|| 2019-05-31 12:17|| Front Page Top

#9 If it was shut down there would be no place to put the grain. Why? Some of the richest farm areas have tore down their graineries and got rid of their dryers. Why? It is put as is into nearby giant "stills".
If we quit putting ethanol in gasoline the corn would just rot. Maybe it implies other crops better for the land should be grown. Whatever...

Posted by 3dc 2019-05-31 13:31|| 2019-05-31 13:31|| Front Page Top

#10 Of course the way it's going the replacement crop will first be hemp and then the higher quality smoking weed.

Posted by 3dc 2019-05-31 13:32|| 2019-05-31 13:32|| Front Page Top

#11 Ethanol free is rare around here but I found that the little general store nearest us has it - got some today for the small engine tools.

Posted by Glenmore 2019-05-31 17:53|| 2019-05-31 17:53|| Front Page Top

#12 I think my wife thinks that everything I eat has ethanol.

Posted by DooDahMan 2019-05-31 20:38|| 2019-05-31 20:38|| Front Page Top

#13 Wonder if we will have an Ethanol Rebellion....

Posted by Alaska Paul 2019-05-31 20:44|| 2019-05-31 20:44|| Front Page Top

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