When I normally write a piece for The Iowa Standard I always address an issue and write from multiple viewpoints and hope that the readers take the time to breakdown the writing, decompress the writing, and formulate their own opinion. Today I want to write about the consequences of a recent action in hopes that it will provoke internal perspective about an action already taken rather than a proposed action on the part of businesses operating in a capitalist system with our Constitutional Republic.
Earlier this week Americans were presented with the Inflation Reduction Act. The bill had to have the help of V.P. Harris in order to make it off the floor of the U.S. Senate and in the house it passed. President Biden retreated from vacation to rush back to D.C. to sign this “historical” bill. A bill loaded with more pork than the grill at the Iowa Pork Producer’s stand at the Iowa State Fair.
I’d heard that the bill would help with energy independence and harness renewable fuels and give Americans some relief from massive utility bills.
Amazingly enough, one piece of bacon in the bill has united Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike.
Carbon sequestration has united the most unlikely Iowans and the Inflation Reduction Act should be enough to bring them together again so they can have some tough conversations.
The conversation that is needed is rooted in the fact that the IRA increased the carbon sequestration tax credit 70%. Yes, $59/ton to $85/ton. Those 45Q credits are a hot commodity due to the fact that the U.S. government believes you can tax and penalize the environment out of their created climate change crisis.
In Iowa, our own Cindy Axne voted in favor of the IRA and went on to tout how great it is for Iowans and then a Facebook page representing Iowa’s 3rd District Democrats went on to brag about this big win and sites Axne. A more interesting fact is that a member of Iowa’s Democratic Party Central Committee and activist for Food and Water Watch, Emma Schmit lambasts every Republican in regards to carbon sequestration but has failed to mention Axne’s support of something that she champions against almost daily.
As I write I recognize the passion that people have that oppose or support something near and dear to their heart especially when done lawfully and professionally. I am struggling to find balance on how the same people that are so engaged and invested in an issue can turn a blind eye to every Democratic U.S. Senator and Representative, and any other elected official or candidate that supports the Inflation Reduction Act. In less than 85 days voters with, or without party affiliation will have the duty to vote. Those votes should tear at the heartstrings and moral fiber for those opposed to carbon sequestration if they are voting for a Democrat that supported the Inflation Reduction Act. For Republicans opposed to the sequestration of carbon rest assured all three Iowa U.S. House Representatives and both U.S. Senators voted against the bill that sweetened the pot.
Going into the big push to secure your vote ask candidates at all levels if they support the Inflation Reduction Act and if they do you’ll be able to pat them on their back or you can let them know they support something you unequivocally oppose and leave them asking questions. Whatever your stance is on this issue, the real issue is does your candidate actually know what they voted on or where they part of the, “pass it and then read it” culture we have come to know and expect?
BJ Hoffman
Liscomb, Iowa
