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For a change of pace, how about something good from "Republicans"?

Gil Bang

By Gil Bang
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Gil Bang

Gil Bang 25898

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This beats the fuck out of denial. 

 

 

College Republicans across the country are calling on the GOP to back a conservative climate action plan, arguing that failing to do so will hurt both the future of the earth and the Republican Party.

The new group, Young Conservatives for Carbon Dividends, is lobbying Republicans to embrace a “Carbon Dividends” plan which aims to reduce carbon emissions with a free-market-based solution.

“What we're hoping to do is amplify the voices of young conservatives. This really is a generational issue,” said Kiera O’Brien, a Harvard University senior who is founder and president of the climate campaign.

 

“Especially given the rise of the Green New Deal,” O’Brien continued, referencing the progressive climate action proposal, “we need to have our own alternative policies, because we can’t just complain about the problem and not propose a solution.”

The group, co-founded by 25 current and former College Republican chairs representing states across the country, is focused on lobbying Republicans to back the Carbon Dividends plan. The group’s leaders argue the plan would cut carbon emissions in half by 2035 if implemented next year, and they said it would exceed the requirements the U.S. agreed to under the Paris climate agreement during the Obama administration. President Trump later said he would withdraw the U.S. from the international accord.

Although the young Republicans don’t support the Green New Deal, which they argue is not economically viable, they also reject the GOP’s hesitation to talk about climate change and the Republican talking point that innovation will solve the issues facing the environment.

“We don’t think you can say innovation will get us there without a plan to induce [it],” O’Brien said.

The Carbon Dividends plan the group is advocating for proposes a gradually rising carbon fee. The net proceeds would be returned to U.S. citizens on a quarterly basis as a “carbon dividend.” The proposal also calls for removing carbon regulations in an effort to push businesses to innovate in a clean energy future.

“We’re bringing together not only politicians and business leaders, but also students like us — students who have a very strong incentive to see effective and actual legitimate policy enacted,” said Grayson Massey, a former Utah College Republicans chairman. “We feel like this is something that’s going to directly impact us, so we have strong motive for wanting to have people from different backgrounds be supportive of it.”

 

If the party doesn’t take up a climate plan, the young leaders fear the GOP could alienate a major voting bloc.

“I definitely think we’re at risk as a party of losing young voters if we don’t start to tackle this issue, if we don’t come up with ways to talk about it and come up with solutions,” said Isaiah Mears, chairman of the Indiana Federation of College Republicans and co-founder of the campaign.

“There’s a lot of single-issue young voters; I think that climate change is one of those moving forward,” Mears, a senior at Wabash College, added. “I think a lot of people will vote for the candidate they believe will best fall into their line of thinking when it comes to climate action."

A spokesperson for the College Republican National Committee (CRNC) said the group neither endorses nor opposes the Carbon Dividends plan.

“Since its founding in 1892, the CRNC has embraced its role as laboratory of ideas that shape the future of the Party. The CRNC encourages thoughtful debate and the free exchange of ideas and has neither officially opposed nor endorsed the carbon dividends plan or any other specific climate policy proposal,” a spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday.

The GOP's hesitance to back a climate plan has already cost the party votes, said Alex Bozmoski, managing director of RepublicEn, a conservative climate grassroots organization based out of George Mason University.  

Many GOP members in suburban districts got “walloped by moms and millennials” in 2018, he said, adding that climate change is becoming an increasingly important issue for voters. 

“If you just look at the rank and file Republican position on climate change from a year ago to today, it’s a pretty stark difference and that’s really encouraging,” Bozmoski said, adding that he’s “overjoyed” to have the young leaders join the “eco-right” in advocating for a conservative plan.

Another factor pushing Republicans to welcome a climate plan: growing support for the left’s Green New Deal proposal. 

“The Green New Deal has started to scare the hell out of Republicans,” Bozmoski said. 

“It’s incumbent upon conservatives to offer alternatives or else the country, for lack of options, will take what’s offered,” he added. 

The young conservatives are hopeful the plan will be embraced by the party. They noted that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) recently acknowledged his concern for the party losing young voters over the issue. 

 

McCarthy told The Washington Examiner in October the GOP needs to have “an open discussion about” what the party will look like in 20 years, and he welcomed a climate debate “instead of everybody saying we’re just deniers.” A spokesperson for McCarthy was not immediately available for comment in response to the new push from young leaders. 

But the party can’t easily dismiss the group led by college Republicans. 

“You cannot campaign in modern America without college Republicans,” O’Brien said, noting the young leaders are key players in campaigning for GOP candidates. 

“We believe that having the youth wing in the party … leading on this issue is so important because it’s a plan to protect our future,” she said. 

The young Republicans said they’ve heard support from Congress members and party leaders in their respective states. They’re preparing to launch their campaign, marketing the plan as an enticing proposal for Republicans to back. 

The group has hired field staff in regions across the country and plans to be at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February. 

 

Some current or former congressional Republicans expressed that the party would be open to welcoming a conservative climate proposal. 

“As someone who founded the ecology club in high school, it brings great joy to hear that young conservatives are addressing the issue of climate,” said Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), who launched the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus earlier this year.

“As we shift through various proposals, I am confident we can find commonsense solutions pertaining to our changing climate that also support and build upon President Trump’s strong economy,” he added in the emailed statement. 

Former Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), who co-chairs the advocacy arm of the Climate Leadership Council, an organization that also advocates for the Carbon Dividends plan, said party leaders should welcome the input from the youth wing. 

"College Republicans are on the front lines of recruiting the next generation. When they say the GOP needs to change course on climate, we all ought to listen,” Lott said in a statement.

Updated at 2:15 p.m.

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Continental Op

Continental Op 3934

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3 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

“Especially given the rise of the Green New Deal,” O’Brien continued, referencing the progressive climate action proposal, “we need to have our own alternative policies, because we can’t just complain about the problem and not propose a solution.”
 

The key if you are a Republican is just to pretend like it's not a problem. 

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Brisketexan

Brisketexan 104609

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What I like is their platform of "hey, we're cool with being the party of racism, xenophobia, cruelty, a toddler president who rants like a shit-spewing infant, zero regard for the rule of law....but we have to look like we care about trees and shit" -- and they think that will work.

Fuck 'em.

Wanna know how a Republican can impress me?  Stop being one.

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Brisketexan

Brisketexan 104609

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2 minutes ago, workswithseed said:

Nice large blanket there, hope you don't smother everyone who doesn't agree with you with it.

You don't have to agree with me.

Just don't support the party that has Donald Trump and Stephen Miller in power, and doesn't care about the rule of law at all.  That's all.

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High Plains Drifter

High Plains Drifter 10976

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14 hours ago, WhatTheBuck said:

Little fucking morons indoctrinated in the Republican dogma that there is a "free-market-based solution" to every problem. College Republicans are some of the most brainwashed non-thinkers I've ever met. 

 

Don't get me wrong, I agree with the sentiment, but obviously you've never met a Young Conservative of Texas. Those idiots make College Republicans look like Maoists.

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workswithseed

workswithseed 2036

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1 minute ago, sidis said:

what does this mean?

It means that it would dictate a large section of construction, and getting rid of airplanes entirely. That's not even close to a free market.

3 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

You don't have to agree with me.

Just don't support the party that has Donald Trump and Stephen Miller in power, and doesn't care about the rule of law at all.  That's all.

I mean do you even know that they do, it seems like a change from the old with the same name. Republican is a blanket term for many people. Do you think Cabin Log Republicans support Trump?

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Brisketexan

Brisketexan 104609

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Just now, High Plains Drifter said:

 

Don't get me wrong, I agree with the sentiment, but obviously you've never met a Young Conservative of Texas. Those idiots make College Republicans look like Maoists.

Anyone remember Corey Birenbaum?  Little dipshit was in a gov't seminar I took -- big class, and the curriculum was a mock state constitutional convention.  As we're debating a provision that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, Corey stood up and gave a lengthy spittle-flecked rant about the evils of the queers and such.  He runs on and on, bug-eyed.  When he finally finishes, there's a moment of silence, and a voice in the lecture hall says "geez....would you just come out of the damned closet already!"

Biggest laugh I've ever heard in a UT classroom.

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Brisketexan

Brisketexan 104609

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1 minute ago, workswithseed said:

It means that it would dictate a large section of construction, and getting rid of airplanes entirely. That's not even close to a free market.

I mean do you even know that they do, it seems like a change from the old with the same name. Republican is a blanket term for many people. Do you think Cabin Log Republicans support Trump?

Yes.  They do.  There is no party outside the party of Trump.  The party is defined by one core value: complete fealty to Trump.  So, if they don't support Trump, guess what?  They aren't Republicans.  They aren't welcome to sit at the table, they don't get to develop policy ideas, nothing.

Come on, man.  If you personally are a Republican, you support Trump.  And Stephen Miller.  And a Senate that serves only Him, not the people.  You know it, so just admit it.

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fattyflattie

fattyflattie 4636

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2 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

Yes.  They do.  There is no party outside the party of Trump.  The party is defined by one core value: complete fealty to Trump.  So, if they don't support Trump, guess what?  They aren't Republicans.  They aren't welcome to sit at the table, they don't get to develop policy ideas, nothing.

Come on, man.  If you personally are a Republican, you support Trump.  And Stephen Miller.  And a Senate that serves only Him, not the people.  You know it, so just admit it.

I love your broad takes.  Brilliant exhibition of intelligence. 

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wildcat09

wildcat09 29243

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For anyone who doesn't already realize it, the next iteration of the Republican party will be as an explicitly eco-fascist party. They'll jump from not acknowledging climate change to yelling about it louder than anyone else essentially overnight and will use the coming ecological disaster and even more limited resources that result as an excuse to justify even more oppression against brown people. 

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Brisketexan

Brisketexan 104609

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4 minutes ago, fattyflattie said:

I love your broad takes.  Brilliant exhibition of intelligence. 

Find me more than a smattering of Republicans who do not support Trump and will not vote for him in 2020.  They are a statistically insignificant part of the party.  And that is by design.  Remember, the fucking PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES called Republicans who don't support him -- and this is not hyperbole, it's a direct quote, from the highest elected official in the country -- "human scum."

The Venn diagram on Trump support and GOP support are two overlapping circles.  

For fuck's sake, a majority of Republicans think Trump is a better president than Lincoln or Washington.  Just fucking stop.

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fattyflattie

fattyflattie 4636

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1 minute ago, Brisketexan said:

For fuck's sake, a majority of Republicans think Trump is a better president than Lincoln or Washington.  Just fucking stop.

Ok.jenniferlawrence.gif

I work and live around a fuckload of them. Not a single one that I’ve spoken politics with “likes” Trump. They also wouldn’t piss on Beto if he was on fire.  And most held their nose voting for Cruz.  So give me a fucking break and come join us in reality. It’s tougher here, because blanket statements don’t work. 

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Brisketexan

Brisketexan 104609

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8 minutes ago, fattyflattie said:

Ok.jenniferlawrence.gif

I work and live around a fuckload of them. Not a single one that I’ve spoken politics with “likes” Trump. They also wouldn’t piss on Beto if he was on fire.  And most held their nose voting for Cruz.  So give me a fucking break and come join us in reality. It’s tougher here, because blanket statements don’t work. 

Yeah, I know a bunch of them, too.  Several of them names you would know.  Some of them even publicly lament Trump.  But.....every one of that fuckload is going to vote for Trump in 2020.  You don't have to like him.  You just have to be loyal to him.  They will be.  And you know they will.

This is a red light-green light test -- will they keep him in power or not?  They will.  That's all that matters.  Everything else is bullshit to make themselves feel better about the fact that they're actually okay with his shit.

Edited by Brisketexan
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fattyflattie

fattyflattie 4636

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Probably. I don’t think it has fuck all to do with loyalty to anyone in particular. Clinton, Trump, Obama, AOC, Bush, none of them.  People care about issues, not who is parroting them.  But you already know this.  And issues are difficult and people are not. So, by all means continue with the loud noises. 

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Brisketexan

Brisketexan 104609

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Probably. I don’t think it has fuck all to do with loyalty to anyone in particular. Clinton, Trump, Obama, AOC, Bush, none of them.  People care about issues, not who is parroting them.  But you already know this.  And issues are difficult and people are not. So, by all means continue with the loud noises. 

If you support Trump on his “issues,” that’s even worse. Stephen Miller directs his policy. For fuck’s sake.
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wildcat09

wildcat09 29243

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32 minutes ago, fattyflattie said:

Ok.jenniferlawrence.gif

I work and live around a fuckload of them. Not a single one that I’ve spoken politics with “likes” Trump. They also wouldn’t piss on Beto if he was on fire.  And most held their nose voting for Cruz.  So give me a fucking break and come join us in reality. It’s tougher here, because blanket statements don’t work. 

There's a word for the Germans who joined the nazi party but didn't share the same hatred of Jews that Hitler had. We call them nazis.

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fattyflattie

fattyflattie 4636

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7 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:


If you support Trump on his “issues,” that’s even worse. Stephen Miller directs his policy. For fuck’s sake.

Yes. Abortion, taxes, gun rights, and climate regulation all dreamed up and made recently controversial by Trump and Stephen Miller.
 

Or are you speaking to the single issue you care most about?  The fucked up immigration policies from this administration will follow them forever.  But there’s a whole lot of people across this country that couldn’t give a single fuck either way about it.  There’s some that want open borders, there’s some that want no brown people here at all, and there’s some who don’t. Give. A. Fuck.   I understand this fucks up you broad brush you like to paint with, apologies. 

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sidis

sidis 9750

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22 minutes ago, fattyflattie said:

Probably. I don’t think it has fuck all to do with loyalty to anyone in particular. Clinton, Trump, Obama, AOC, Bush, none of them.  People care about issues, not who is parroting them.  But you already know this.  And issues are difficult and people are not. So, by all means continue with the loud noises. 

it is a pretty bold and interesting take to state that parties are not driven by cult of personality right now...in this age of trump having performed a hostile takeover of the republican party to the point where its leadership has either just quit or has publicly fallen in line with his insanity to the detriment of their integrity and honor out of fear of retribution from trump...regardless of policy.

these guys are contradicting themselves and acting like demonstrably hypocritical fucktards to do his bidding out of fear on a daily basis...even after he has shit all over them publicly.

the dedication shown to this man has really pushed the envelope beyond what i thought was possible in this country (the limits of which i thought were established by obama in 2008). 

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Brisketexan

Brisketexan 104609

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16 minutes ago, fattyflattie said:

Yes. Abortion, taxes, gun rights, and climate regulation all dreamed up and made recently controversial by Trump and Stephen Miller.
 

Or are you speaking to the single issue you care most about?  The fucked up immigration policies from this administration will follow them forever.  But there’s a whole lot of people across this country that couldn’t give a single fuck either way about it.  There’s some that want open borders, there’s some that want no brown people here at all, and there’s some who don’t. Give. A. Fuck.   I understand this fucks up you broad brush you like to paint with, apologies. 

How about the GOP that was against tariffs....until it wasn't.

Wanted us to be "respected again" on the world stage....until we're utterly humiliated and loathed, including by our staunchest allies.

Loves tax cuts that will surely lead to "job growth" -- except for the jillionth time, they've proven NOT to do that.

And yeah, you don't get to say "yeah, but I really don't like the racism and xenophobia."  That's like saying "I'm a football fan, but I don't like all the blocking and tackling."  That's the fucking core of the brand now.

How about how the GOP being "anti-corruption" -- but having no problem with the presidential crime family either funneling tax dollars into their pockets, or using the power of the presidency to their advantage in foreign business deals?

I personally love how the GOP fanboys wanted to bring back dignity to the office, because that one time Obama saluted with a coffee cup....so they now slavishly support a man who demeans the office and the nation literally multiple times a day?

Maybe it's the party of decency, morality, and family values.....supporting a president who fucks pornstars while his wife is pregnant and then pays her off with campaign money?  That one's a good one.  I like that one.

We could go on.  And on.  The GOP has no principles, because it has jettisoned most everything it SAID was a principle in order to support Trump.

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fattyflattie

fattyflattie 4636

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18 minutes ago, sidis said:

the dedication shown to this man has really pushed the envelope beyond what i thought was possible in this country (the limits of which i thought were established by obama in 2008). 

I could definitely be wrong, wouldn’t be the first or last time.  I believe people believe in the parties and issues more than any candidate. I’m sure it’s always been there in a sense, but kicked off with W, into Obama, and now dipshit.  I don’t really see any of the current Dem candidates in that light, though.  Maybe we will return to some regularity. 

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Biff Tannen

Biff Tannen 45494

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5 minutes ago, fattyflattie said:

I could definitely be wrong, wouldn’t be the first or last time.  I believe people believe in the parties and issues more than any candidate. I’m sure it’s always been there in a sense, but kicked off with W, into Obama, and now dipshit.  I don’t really see any of the current Dem candidates in that light, though.  Maybe we will return to some regularity. 

Dude, don't compare this to W or Obama.  This is beyond the pale.  Nothing like this has ever happened.  Damn near half the country is a cult.  

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Brisketexan

Brisketexan 104609

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2 minutes ago, workswithseed said:

I mean lots of people listen to this man and says tariffs suck, and that the only reason to tariff China is to hurt them. 

 

.....yet they continue to slavishly support him.

I don't like that he does A, B, C, D, E.....Z......But I still support him!  That last clause negates everything that came before it.  It tells us that none of what you told us before actually matters.  The only decision point is....wait for it....Trump.  

You're a member of a cult.  Just because in your head, you're thinking "I dunno, I don't even LIKE kool-aid.  And I don't know if I trust those folks who mixed it.  And I'm not even thirsty"....that means nothing when you then gulp it down.

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