Environment-planks-Paul

==On Global Warming==
by Ron Paul
: December 10, 2007 06:15 PM EST (Updated: December 10, 2007 06:16 PM EST) 
I support private, scientifically rigorous study to identify the underlying causes of global warming, and I also believe that excessive government regulation has delayed, rather than hastened, development of alternative energy technologies.
I have cosponsored H.R. 550 and H.R. 1772, legislation providing tax credits for investment in solar and wind power. I oppose government subsidies to big oil, and vote against spending taxpayer dollars to facilitate logging in national forests. I am also part of the Congressional Green Scissors Coalition, devoted to ending taxpayer subsidies of projects that harm the environment for the benefit of large corporate interests, and I have been named a "Treasury Guardian" by Taxpayers for Common Sense for my work against environmentally-harmful government spending and corporate welfare.
Faced with environmental, economic, and security concerns—all tied to our dependence on fossil fuels—the only good, constitutional method is the one we have not tried for nearly a century and that no one in DC seems to be willing to talk about: an energy market driven by supply and demand and backed by rigid enforcement of property rights. 
Once we end federal energy subsidies and stop invading countries to secure our oil supply, the price of fossil fuels will begin to reflect the reality of a limited resource that is mainly obtained from the unstable Middle East. 
The strict enforcement of property rights corrects environmental wrongs while upping the costs of polluting. I strongly believe in the concept of “the polluter pays,” meaning that if your land, water, or air is being polluted, the proper response is to sue the polluter; the damages awarded cost the company money and end up reflected in increased production and sale prices. The current system of preemptive regulations and pay-to-pollute schemes does nothing but favor those nimble and wealthy enough to perform the regulatory tap dance.
Only a free market, with real penalties for causing harm, can bring about change. As president, I would fight to end oil subsidies, to stop giving preferential treatment to big energy lobbies, and to stop abusing our military by risking their lives to line corporate pockets.
I believe this approach would go a long way in helping us to deal with global warming. 
Read more about my stance on the Environment.
==Links==
* Environment
category:Planks_from_elsewhere