Shimkus: Capping Carbon Pollution Is A Greater Assault On Democracy Than 9/11

Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), at a hearing on the Waxman-Markey Clean Energy and Security Act, which sets standards for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and global warming pollution, tells Obama administration officials that green economic reform is "the largest assault on democracy and freedom in this country that I've ever experienced." Shimkus then said that he feared this legislation more than the Clinton impeachment trials, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Transcript: Let me start out, for those of you who have been following this debate for many many years, there's, uh, no hiding where I'm at. I think this is the largest assault on democracy and freedom in this country that I've ever experienced. I've lived through some tough times in Congress -- impeachment, two wars, terrorist attacks. I fear this more than all of the above activities that have happened. And I'll tell you why as I go through, but I have some questions ...."

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News & Politics

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• Shimkus
• John Shimkus
• Waxman-Markey
• global warming
• energy
• coal
• wingnut
• 9/11
• September 11
• Iraq War
• Congress
• news
• politics

[wlacwa]

I never could have imagined that such idiots occupy key positions in our government, but after cruising You Tube a bit I find he is, sadly, not unique. There are many others like him, it seems.

[o0xemas0o]

@durhamdf

American Democracy has been a good example of an oxymoron in the past ten years or so...

I will say that I'm grateful Shimkus possesses no oratory skills or subtlety... I would be concerned if he were a charismatic sophist. Luckily, he's obnoxiously moronic - the religious cause couldn't have a worse representative. I'm actually pleased he has a forum in which to be mocked and ignored.

[durhamdf]

Yeah, this is the biggest assault on our democracy...not passing the most invasive law in recent U.S. history (Patriot Act), or torturing terror suspects, but creating incentives for industries to switch from fossil fuels? How dare they, everyone knows that the foundation of any good democracy is the right to pollute as much as you want...I know he doesn't believe this, he is just a fear monger plain and simple. Next week it will be A tax increase that is the greatest threat to democracy

[longhairedartist]

The entire world except for the United States signed the Kyoto Protocol AND ratified it into law... this is a cap and trade program and it did not assault any democracies... but the US and it's massive arsenal of enough NUCLEAR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION TO DESTROY THE WORLD DOZENS OF TIMES OVER did assault Iraqi, a sovereign nation, based on false intel and without the support of the United Nations. These nut jobs will push the button because they believe GOD will take them to heaven.

[cub35guy]

NUT JOB RIGHT WING GAS BAG! Saw this bite on Countdown again. and had to say, this guy.... IS.... an idiot.

Religious wackjob....

Sad day when Americans vote in these morons to Congress.

How stupid are you?

[y2zgt]

@McKenzie02221975 You sound like one of those fringe right conspiracy theorist.

[checkcall123]

You just know he's republican...

[McKenzie02221975]

THE TAKE OVER OF OUR GOV'T BY THE INTERNATIONAL BANKERS IS STARING US IN THE FACE.

THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS DON'T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT B/C IT IS SCARY.

THIS IS SUCH UNKNOWN TERITORY (msp).

Congress has lost it's power which was apparent when both Bush's & Obama's stimulus pkgs were pushed through congress in less than 24 hrs with greater than 1000 pages to read

HOW? Threats of martial law & chaos

[mannhuhn]

Illinois has some pretty screwy areas where we vote on people solely based on their party affiliation. I live in the 15th congressional district and we've had this douche bag Tim Johnson (coke phene and escaped a DUI under suspicious circumstances) who we can't get out of office. I don't know how we fix this... perhaps we should encourage progressives to move into GOP-held districts?

[faheydesign]

He fears a bill to encourage clean energy is worse than a terrorist attack???? He is clearly delusional