(03/05/07) Thomas Jefferson once wrote: “The moment a person forms a theory his imagination sees in every object the traits which favor that theory.” It looks like global warming fits into that slot.

Extra! Extra! Extra! Earth Heating Up! Symington and Shumlin are working on Vermont solution. Taxes are part of the remedy. Property taxes and education reforms take back seat.

Mr. Climate Change and Oscar winner Al Gore warns of warming. French President Chirac provided a key clue why this is becoming a call for action; “…authentic global governance.” The taxes and controls through Kyoto Protocol are being advocated to remedy the cause of climate disruption. Vermont’s legislative leaders are also in pursuit of this illusion.

Legislative leaders and environmentalists assail skeptics who don’t understand the global warming issue. They say the North Pole is melting, polar bears are endangered and Vermonters are deer hunting in shirt sleeves. This evidence is twisted to fit a theory to justify efficiency taxes, green building codes and projects like rail and windmills.

Montpelier’s medicine will directly affect our pocket book. Increased taxes for less fuel efficient cars, increased cost of heating fuels, increased cost of automobiles, increased cost of housing, increased cost of power etc. are just some of the items on the table as our penance for being the root cause of global climate change.

But alas, have our legislative leaders thought that if the global warming predictions come true, maybe the fertile soils up north could replace the farm belt in our mid-west? Can you imagine growing grapefruit or oranges in Vermont? Our farmers could flourish and there wouldn’t be any need for state agriculture subsidies.

Vermonters beware! Watch your wallet.

Frank Mazur
South Burlington

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Frank Mazur, a small business owner and former state representative, is chair of the advisory board of Vermont FreedomWorks.