June 15, 2007 | By Nathaniel Ward

Designing a worse energy policy

With energy prices soaring, Americans are clamoring for lawmakers to act. But instead of enacting reforms that will allow for expanded energy supplies—and lower costs to consumers—liberals in Congress are loading up their new energy bill with all sorts of misguided policies.

“Almost every bad energy policy idea circulating around Washington has found a home in the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007,” writes Heritage energy expert Ben Lieberman.

Some of these bad policies are real doozies. Click here for a list of some of the worst proposals in the energy bill.

Debunking liberal myths about inequality

Liberals have been making a big stink lately about income inequality, and many are calling for new laws to make incomes more “equal.” A new MyHeritage.org Myth Buster points out that income inequality actually reflects hard-working Americans earning more.

Click here to read the debunking of this liberal myth.

Take our poll: Should Congress reduce income inequality by punishing hard work and entrepreneurship through high taxes?

Lawmakers should think twice before enacting laws to enforce income equality. They would also be wise to remember Milton Friedman’s warning: “A society that puts equality...ahead of freedom will end up with neither equality nor freedom.”

Four percent for freedom

On Tuesday, Heritage distinguished fellow Jim Talent spoke to Heritage Foundation members about the need to ensure America’s military has sufficient funding to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Talent, a former United States Senator from Missouri, explained that a minimum of four percent of the nation’s GDP should be devoted to upgrading the nation’s defense forces, a program he calls Four Percent for Freedom.

Spending more is “necessary to transform the military,” Talent told participants in the Community Leadership Exchange teleconference. “Transformation is great, but you must modernize and you have to spend money in order to modernize.”

Click here to listen to Sen. Talent’s remarks and read a transcript of the call.

Watch J.C. Watts on June 20

Former Rep. J.C. Watts (R-OK) will be speaking to Heritage Foundation members in New York City next Wednesday, June 20. Tune in to MyHeritage.org to watch this event live online at noon Eastern.

To attend this event in person, RSVP today at MyHeritage.org/NewYork/

In other news

• House conservatives yesterday announced that they have gathered enough support to uphold President Bush’s threatened spending vetoes. The President has correctly said he will veto any spending legislation that costs taxpayers more than his original request.
• President Bush and bipartisan negotiators have offered to spend several billion dollars more on border security in an effort to revive the failed Senate immigration proposal. Lawmakers should remember that simply throwing money at the border will not secure it—particularly if their “solution” also involves an amnesty for illegal immigrants.
• Two Cuban soccer players have reportedly defected to the United States, demonstrating America remains a beacon of freedom for those suffering under Communist oppression.
• States may block public sector unions from using member dues for political activities without their members’ consent, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday.
• The House of Representatives has approved legislation requiring states to compile lists of those banned from owning firearms.

Coming up at Heritage

To attend the following Heritage Foundation events, RSVP at Heritage’s events website. Or you can watch these events live online at Heritage.org.  All times are Eastern.

• On Tuesday, June 19 at 10:30 a.m., Heritage’s Sally McNamara hosts a panel discussion on how Europe and the West should tackle Islamic extremism.
• On Wednesday, June 20 at 5:30 p.m., Director of Domestic Policy Jennifer Marshall will discuss her book, Now and Not Yet: Making Sense of Single Life in the Twenty-First Century.
• On Friday, June 22 at 10:00 a.m., Baker Spring hosts a panel discussion on whether conservatives should support the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Nathaniel Ward is the Editor of MyHeritage.org—a website for members and supporters of The Heritage Foundation. DeEtte Chatterton contributed to this report.

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