Background: Last week, we received a glossy, taxpayer-funded mailer from our U.S Representative to Congress, Michael McCaul on the subject of alternative energy. The purpose was to tout Congressman McCaul’s sponsorship of and support for various bills to fund and encourage the development of alternative energy. Because I believe any seizure of my money through taxes to be given to private enterprise for anything other than the enumerated powers to be unconstitutional regardless of the social or economic benefit, I have just composed and transmitted the following letter to Congressman McCaul.
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December 6, 2009
Dear Congressman McCaul:
Thank you for your service to our country. However, I am deeply concerned about the representation you are providing and in particular, the “Alternate Energy” brochure you recently mailed. Here are my particular issues, section-by-section:
“Dear Fellow Texan”, third paragraph – “Austin’s high tech community is at the forefront of alternative energy research, development and commercialization, and it is the government’s job to facilitate a positive environment so it can flourish.” Where in the United States Constitution is Congress given the responsibility or power to facilitate an environment for the development of alternative energy? I can find no such provision, and therefore believe any funding for such to be unconstitutional and an illegal seizure of private property. If government would get out of the way, capitalism and private enterprise would take care of the energy needs of our country, and much more efficiently than with government intrusion.
“Commitment to Alternative Energy, Green Energy Education Act”, first paragraph – “Authorizes…to help train the next generation of architects and engineers to create more energy efficient buildings.” Where in the United States Constitution is Congress given the responsibility or power to take my money and give it to others in support of their education? I can find no such provision, and therefore believe any funding for such to be unconstitutional and an illegal seizure of private property. If government would get out of the way, the free market would incent the development of energy-efficient buildings commensurate with the value of energy thereby saved.
“Solar Technology Roadmap Act”, first paragraph – “Increases research and development funding to expand the commercialization of America’s solar industry.” Where in the United States Constitution is Congress given the responsibility or power to take my money and give it to a private enterprise for the benefit of a specific industry segment? I can find no such provision, and therefore believe any funding for such to be unconstitutional and an illegal seizure of private property. If government would get out of the way, the free market would incent the development of solar and other alternative energy sources commensurate with the value of energy thereby produced.
“21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act”, first paragraph – “Commits to modernizing, renovating and repairing public schools to help ensure energy efficiency.” Where in the United States Constitution is Congress given the responsibility or power to be involved in public education? I can find no such provision, and therefore believe any funding for such to be unconstitutional and an illegal seizure of private property. The Federal government should leave primary and secondary education to the respective states and communities.
“Smart Grid Technology”, first paragraph – “Conserves energy by allowing consumers who produce energy to feed back into the system.” Where in the United States Constitution is Congress given the responsibility or power to regulate to whom private energy suppliers may contract to purchase energy and therefore why is a law required to allow energy companies to accept energy from individuals on the grid? I can find no such provision, and therefore believe such laws to be unconstitutional intrusions into private enterprise.
Finally, I will not accept an argument that the presence of laws which already infringe upon constitutionally-protected freedoms is justification for new laws which continue to do the same. Your positions on the role of government do not reflect my understanding of the Constitution. Nor do they reflect the belief of one of our country's most influential founders, Thomas Jefferson, who in 1798 wrote: “Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated." One final quote, from Ronald Reagan in his first inaugural address: “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the federal government and those reserved to the states or to the people. All of us need to be reminded that the federal government did not create the states; the states created the federal government.”
Please consider your oath to uphold and defend the Constitution to be transcendent over all other roles of your office.
Sincerely,
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If I receive a response from the Congressman, I'll post it here.
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