New Rules for Life's Game
Jane Van Ryan
Posted September 4, 2009
Three more Energy Citizens rallies were held on Thursday, Sept. 3. About 200 people attended the rally in Richmond, Virginia; 300 participated in the rally in Chester, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia; and 750 showed up in Detroit, Michigan, which was far more than anticipated.
At each rally, the concerns voiced by the audience were the same. They said they want affordable energy and jobs, and they are encouraging the U.S. Senate to carefully consider the economic impact of the Waxman-Markey bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives in late June. As one speaker in Richmond said, the Senate should get it right.
Another speaker in Richmond used a football analogy to explain his concerns about the Waxman-Markey bill, and he got a standing ovation. He is Chris Saxman, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates who has decided not to run again so he can devote more time to his family's bottled water business.
As Chris explained, the Waxman-Markey bill would prohibit American citizens and small businesses from acting in their own best interest. Imagine your team is on the field.
Chris said, "The coach gets you fired up. You butt each other in the shoulder pads. You butt each other in the head. And they go, 'One thing, one thing, wait a second. We're going to change every rule we ever had.' What do you mean? 'You can't pass. You can't run. You can't kick the ball. You can't block. You can't tackle.' How do you play the game? You don't! 'Get out there and win!' What in the heck is that? Makes no sense, does it? That's what they're doing in Washington, D.C. today!"
The audience erupted into cheers.
Chris's point was that the Waxman-Markey bill would change the rules, intrude in both business and personal decisions, and reduce each individual's opportunities for success.
Become an Energy Citizen and tell your Senators how you feel about the Waxman-Markey bill here.