Wilson still adamant against ‘cap and trade’
By JOSELYN KING, For The Times LeaderBRIDGEPORT - Just two days after voting "no" on "cap and trade" legislation pushed by Democratic House leadership, U.S. Rep. Charles Wilson told Belmont County Democrats Sunday that his arm hurt.
"It's from all the times over the past week that it was pulled behind my back and twisted," he said tongue and cheek, making reference to political stronghold placed on him to vote in favor of the legislation to reduce carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants over the next decade.
Wilson, D-Ohio, spoke during the annual Belmont County Democratic Party Picnic, which took place Sunday at the home of Bridgeport Mayor John Callarik at Kirkwood Heights.
And Wilson said he felt strongly about his vote against "cap and trade."
"The day before last, I cast the largest vote I'd ever cast in my history as congressman ," he told those present. "And you should know it is very controversial. I had a lot of pressure on me to vote 'yes' with my party.
"I don't work for my party. I work for you. I work for the people of this area."
Wilson noted that the "number of coal and steel jobs at risk through this bill is frightening," and that the Senate now will take up the bill when Congress returns from recess on July 7.
"When we get back, I will do all I can to get on the conference committee that will blend together the House and Senate cap and trade bills," he said. "My hope, my prayer, and my wish is that we will get a bill I can vote for that supports the working families of my district."
Wilson told the Belmont County Democrats that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., approached him Wednesday night and told him his support was needed on the bill.
"I told her I've been with you on the stimulus package, the budget. . . children's health care. . .everything you've asked me be with you on," he said. "This is a vote against the people I represent. I can't do it."
Wilson believes any hard feelings the White House and Democratic leadership harbors against him soon will dissipate as the House continues to tackle issues important to the country.
"It's a serious time, and we're living history right now," Wilson said. "President Obama is an accomplished and smart man, and I am honored to be able to work with him.
"But he is not happy with me today because of Friday's vote. And that's o.k. I know he'll need my vote again. And I'm going to be there for him."
Wilson continued that he wants the Obama administration "to know where Belmont County is," and about the people he represents.
"I look forward to going back," he said. "Hopefully, we can forgive and forget and get back to what is right with our country.
"Even though I'm a congressman representing 12 counties, Belmont is where it started and Belmont is where I win."
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Reactionary
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07-02-09 9:02 PM
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princebytor, you just proved my point! Thanks.
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PrinceByTor
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07-02-09 9:52 AM
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If the shoe fits....
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GregoryJ
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07-01-09 10:36 PM
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Wow, comparing Republicans to the taliban, impressive. Don't argue facts, just toe the line and say we are racist terrorists.
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Reactionary
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07-01-09 4:08 PM
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literate. I'm glad you can pay high energy prices. It seems to me that you don't care about anything except the liberal agenda, no matter WHO hurts. Now that's caring! I also assume by your comment about education that the people of the Ohio Valley are ignorant, since there are those that don't buy into your concept of what a wonderful future is ahead, if they would just blindly follow the new administration, and grow up, as you say. That's a pretty self-centered point of view. That's ok if it makes you feel better. Just remember, you got your super-majority now. There is no more blaming ANYBODY ELSE for what happens from now on. It's all O'Bama, all the time. You guys are driving the bus. Now is the time that all things wonderful are possible. I hope they all come true for you.
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Thoughtful
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07-01-09 12:23 AM
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Mr. Charlie Wilson, I will personally pay for Henry Waxman to fly to your District, speak at five locations and say what he has been saying in his District over the past two months.I I challenge you to stand on the same stage with him and support his views in your District..........................Mr. Wilson Where do you really stand??????????????????
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PrinceByTor
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06-30-09 11:25 PM
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poc1999 wrote, "IF YOU DON'T LIKE COAL........LEAVE." and "YEA, MAYBE THAT'S (California) WHERE YOU SHOULD GO." How Democratic of you, poc. Allow me to respond by employing your own logic. Cap and trade got through the HOR. The Democrat's majority in the Senate will be increased by one next week when Al Franken is seated. The Republican party is in a tailspin right now, with no credible party leadership. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT........LEAVE! Perhaps you'd fit in better in a middle-eastern dictatorship. I'll bet there's room for someone like you in the Taliban. Better yet, I'll bet Iran is looking for some people to squash Democracy there by beating up and shooting some protesters. YEA, MAYBE THAT'S WHERE YOU SHOULD GO. Such anger. Why do Republicans hate America?
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grtrnd1
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06-30-09 11:19 PM
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Literate........ Do away with coal,, Do away with thousands of high paying jobs. You say "in due time the valley would be forced to grow up". Are you saying just do away with coal and wait for better revenue to come along. I don't think my finance company would want me telling them I can't pay my bills because I'm waiting on something better to come along. There isn't much going on anywhere around here bringing in upwards of 6 digit salary's. The trickle down effect through coal is enormous. What about the elderly on fixed income. How are they supposed to pay higher electric bills?
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GregoryJ
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06-30-09 11:00 PM
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Literate, you make your last comment as if liberals dont want to get involved in peoples' lives. Conservatives just believe that life begins at conception, not after the baby fully comes into the world as O does. And yet you state that people will be forced to "grow up" and forced to get an education, that sounds a bit intrusive to me. Also, I have a masters degree and make less per hour than a coal miner does. Education does not necessarily equate to money.
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smellzfingerz
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06-30-09 10:42 PM
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his arm hurts from making knuckle babies while living on our tax dollars.
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literate
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06-30-09 8:21 PM
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Wow...recationary. Attacking my intelligence? Thats as pathetic as it gets.
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literate
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06-30-09 8:20 PM
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I understand. Not really sure who "you people" are. Your idea of liberials concerned with other's business is funny, considering that its right-wingers that want to get inovlved in abortion, the most personal of business. Still, to answer you statement as directly as possible, I can pay it, and would gladly pay much more for energy that didn't come from coal. In fact the best thing that could ever happen for this area is the end of the coal industry completely. The crash would be devistating, but then after some time, the area would be forced to grow up, and not depend on just one form of revenue. People would have to get educations, and would be forced join the larger world.
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Reactionary
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06-30-09 8:08 PM
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Literate, I never admitted anything. I merely stated facts and personal obsevations, which you took liberty to twist and warp. I have come to accept this practice from people of your ilk, as they know no better. There is no middle ground with about 98% of you people. Liberals worry about everthing except their own business. It is a commom trait.
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literate
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06-30-09 7:53 PM
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Reactionary- So you admit that you don't care about the poor. Thats refeshing, usually you all lie about it to make yourselves seem at least somewhat human. "Libbies"? So only liberals care about the "downtrodden". Wow. That is indeed a scathing indictment. wontgetfooledagain- my point is that for the past 4 years utility companies have been warning of in increase in rates. The raw material for production is meaningless, the rates will increase. "Go huge a tree"? Seriously, thats what you finish with? Pretty sad.
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Reactionary
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06-30-09 7:47 PM
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literate-- kind of ironic don't you think? The issue with cap and kill is govt provided credits, that cost money.----A TAX. Coal fired power plants will have to pay for the right to burn the coal they already own---still sounds like a tax. And then all of us, YOU TOO, will pay more for electricity and ANYTHING made or operated by electricity. It is an INDIRECT TAX on the consumer. But then I have found that most people can't understand what an INDIRECT TAX is anyway! In fact I don't know why I wasted my time trying to explain it to you.!! The only good thing about it is, that even though I will have to pay this ADDITIONAL, INDIRECT TAX; I WILL take great joy in the fact that YOU will be paying it also. And so will all of those poor , downtrodden people all you libbies worry about. I can pay it. I'll make it. Will You???
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grtrnd1
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06-30-09 10:37 AM
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Sanitizer,,,,, I work in a coal mine. I love it. I work with 400+ men and women who make 20+ dollars an hour. They don't travel to Indiana to spend their money. They spend every dime of it here in the Ohio Valley. (Revenue) I would rather make 20+ dollars an hour and pay my 100 dollars a month electric bill, than hug a tree adn cant afford my 350 dollar a month electric bill from the high cost of natural gas. Where do you think everyone will work when you shut the mines down. Trickle down effect would be into the thousands. Natural gas power plants dont need the man power of coal plants. Where do you think we will all work. I love the Ohio Valley and I'm not planning on moving anywhere. Neither are my children. You've got the answers, I wanna hear em.
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poc1999
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06-30-09 9:07 AM
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AND ALSO EXPLAIN WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY?? CALIFORNIA?? YEA, MAYBE THAT'S WHERE YOU SHOULD GO.
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poc1999
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06-30-09 9:03 AM
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SANITIZER.. WHAT DO YOU THINK KEEPS THE VALLEY RUNNING? WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU GET YOUR ELECTRICITY? IF YOU DON'T LIKE COAL........LEAVE.
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Thoughtful
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06-30-09 12:34 AM
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Mr. Wilson,, Retirement is calling.. Listen or stand up against Pelosi, Frank, Waxman, and Markey.. You are weak
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Thoughtful
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06-30-09 12:33 AM
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Charlie Wilson, a businessman, has aligned himself with Nancy Pelosi, Henry Waxman, Frank, Markey and other. His talk at the picnic was soft and compromising. Mr. Wilson please do us a favor. At least, stand up against your fellow party members and don't vote against cap and trade and walk away. That is NOT representing the valley. WE can do better mcuh better than Charlie Wilson.....REgardles of party, Mr. Wilson should be returned to his residence and NOt represent this district.
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beach1
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06-29-09 8:22 PM
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i bet he waited to make sure the ems had the votes to pass this killer bill before he voted! his arm hurts from patting himseld ofn the back. hey literate,bpu are you stupid and still blame president bush,get a life.
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wontgetfooledagain
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06-29-09 8:15 PM
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Coal is used to generate almost half of all electricity produced in the United States. Besides electric utility companies, industries and businesses with their own power plants use coal to generate electricity. Power plants burn coal to make steam. The steam turns turbines which generate electricity FOR MAKING STEEL Coal is baked in hot furnaces to make coke, which is used to smelt iron ore into iron needed for making steel. It is the very high temperatures created from the use of coke that gives steel the strength and flexibility for products such as bridges, buildings, and automobiles
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wontgetfooledagain
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06-29-09 8:10 PM
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literate,,, what does oil have to do with the way in which the valley produces electricty?? If Im not mistaken they are all coal fired power plants in that area. And guess what there is 500 years worth in that area????you got it pal COAL!!!! Keeps people working and provides much needed money for the valley. go hug a tree!!!
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Sanitzer
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06-29-09 5:08 PM
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Until the Valley gets rid of the coal mentality we will always be stuck 25 years behind rest of country.
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literate
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06-29-09 4:43 PM
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I will giggle like a school girl if the bill fails, and your energy bill skyrocket anyway. Which they will, utility companies have been promising this since GW's terms. Then, 10 years or so down the road when your children or grandchildren face a crisis like never before, because the infrastructure to replace oil isn't in place, I hope your friends at FoxNews have a plan to save them. Of course, its not you, so you don't care.
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poc1999
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06-29-09 1:39 PM
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I AGREE WITH SPEEDBUMP9.......HOWEVER, THERE WERE ALREADY ENOUGH DEM VOTES FOR THIS TO PASS. SO IS HE JUST LOOKING FOR "JOB SECURITY" WITH THIS VOTE? WHAT A BAD DAY FOR THE VALLEY :( ALSO I WOUL LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WAS IN THE ADDTIONAL 300 PAGES ADDED AT THE 11TH HOUR. SO MUCH FOR BO'S PROMISE OF 5 DAYS TO READ ALL BILLS.
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