“Science is science and facts are facts. My administration will ensure that there will be total transparency and accountability without political bias. The American people deserve this and I will make sure this is the culture of my administration.”
– Donald Trump, quoted in “What Do the Presidential Candidates Know about Science?” Scientific American, September 13, 2016.
In the “Presidential Science Debate 2016,” a science literacy project with media partner Scientific American, candidate Donald Trump gave answers that continue to elucidate his views on energy and the environment. (Answers were also provided by Hillary Clinton and Jill Stein, Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson did not choose to participate in the questionnaire.)
Trump’s energy/climate policy views have been previously chronicled here:
Trump’s energy views, below, are not quite free-market or libertarian with a seeming role for nuclear power despite its non-competitiveness and a possible continuation of renewable-energy subsidies.…
“The CO2 Coalition invites you to take a look at our newly renovated website at www.CO2Coalition.org. Our white papers, scientific research and economic analysis are easier than ever to find and use.”
The intellectual case against climate alarmism is strong and growing stronger. But how best to summarize the state of knowledge about carbon dioxide emissions and CO2 atmospheric concentrations, not only its warming effects, other things the same, but also CO2 fertilization?
Enter a new group, the CO2 Coalition, a 501(c)(3) foundation founded last year to educate “thought leaders, policy makers, and the public about the important contribution made by carbon dioxide to our lives and the economy.”
…The CO2 Coalition seeks to engage thought leaders, policy makers, and the public in an informed and dispassionate discussion of climate change, human’s role in the climate system, the limitations of climate models, and the consequences of mandated reductions in CO2 emissions.
“Ending government bailouts and corporate handouts will allow for huge, immediate, direct tax cuts — giving back desperately-needed money to American families — every year — to spend, save, or give away as they see fit.”
– Libertarian Party Website (below)
The Libertarian Party, the self-described “Party of Principle” advocating “minimum government, maximum liberty,” has a worthy stance on ending special government favor to business (cronyism). For energy policy, this would mean a long overdue contraction of the solar power, wind power, and ethanol industries. It would also be big trouble for Elon Musk’s Tesla and other electric vehicle companies.
The LP pledge is reproduced below, followed by a discussion of what the virus is, and why it should be ended.
The Pledge
…If elected, I will sponsor and work diligently to pass legislation to end government bailouts, grants, loans, loan guarantees, and other handouts to private businesses; eliminate unnecessary government spending, which fuels crony capitalism; open up bidding of government contracts; and require all government contractors and their employees to agree to abstain from lobbying or from promoting or opposing political campaigns.