How Will We Be Affected By Boucher's Bill?

If it's possible, Rick Boucher's global warming tax legislation that passed the House on Friday will have a greater adverse impact proportionally on Southwest Virginia than on any other part of the state. Arguably, even the nation. As you read these numbers, prepared by the Heritage Foundation, think of the coalfields. Think of Appalachia. Think of the widespread poverty and despair that already exist here.

The future - a direct result of this bill - is that much more grim (click on the image to enlarge it):

Here's the enraging news. Keep in mind, this is a Congressionally induced depression.

• Of the eleven congressional districts in Virginia as seen above, the Ninth, Boucher's, ranks number 2 in projected GSP (Gross State Product) loss in the year 2012, behind only the fabulously wealthy Washington D.C. suburbs. Again this ranking is in dollars lost, not in percent of loss. In terms of GSP percent of loss, northern Virginia, with its riches, will barely feel the pain.

But a $646 million reduction in economic output here will be staggering.

• When Boucher's cap-and-tax legislation really starts kicking in, when wealth transfer will begin to bite, the economic implosion will be gargantuan. Between 2012 and 2035 GSP loss in the area will reach over a billion and a quarter dollars ($1,287,200,000). This, again, ranks just behind affluent northern Virginia but far exceeds the losses to be incurred in every other part of the state.

• Personal income loss will be devastating as well. Again second in dollars, Southwest Virginians can expect to lose $592 million in personal income in the year 2012 alone. This to theoretically lower the planet's atmospheric temperature by 0.2° fahrenheit. This will come about mostly through layoffs and job terminations as the coalfields begin to shut down.

• And what can we expect in the way of employment impact from this bill? Southwest Virginia, particularly in its coal counties of Russell, Scott, Wise, Tazewell, Dickenson, and Lee is projected to lose 5,483 jobs.

5,483 jobs lost ...

... In 2012 alone.

... The highest number in the entire state.

... In the poorest part of the commonwealth.

... In the poorest region in the United States.

• Between 2012 and 2035 Boucher's district will continue to lead the state in job losses with an estimated 3,439 in that time period. This will hold true if all else remains the same. If the woeful economic conditions currently being experienced here get no worse. If Boucher and his insane cronies in Washington don't dream up any other crushing mandates - nationalized health care! - that will send the region into an accelerated slide.

Frightening, yes?

Remember this: Rick Boucher could have fought this. He knew what was in store for his constituents if he let it pass. Well folks, he not only let it pass, he became a supporter of the legislation, and worked hard to get it through the House. He voted on Friday in favor of the above.

Rick Boucher voted to reduce the economy of Southwest Virginia by nearly 2 billion dollars over the next two decades.

Rick Boucher voted in favor of 8,922 of his constituents being thrown out of work. Forever.

He accepts enthusiastically (he did fight for passage, don't forget) the estimated $900 million in personal income losses that are coming our way.

Boucher's excuse? It was "inevitable." So he gave in to his buddies there in La La Land without a fight.

But why should he care? He's there. There is far from here. Why would he give two squirts what happens down here in this backward, smelly, disease-infested, poverty-stricken, God-forsaken part of the land? Why should he care? He's in D.C. He's important. He's liked. He's got juice.

We're just a distant memory.

We're just a grudging nuissance that he has to tolerate at election time every other year.

If it weren't for that bit of annoyance, it's a certainty that he'd never set foot in this part of the country again.

You read here the other day a quote from Mr. Boucher about how his bill was going to produce millions of new jobs. Well, the facts are in. For all to see. And facts, unlike deceitful politicians, don't lie. Rick Boucher has signed on to a bill that is going to cripple Southwest Virginia like at no time in its history.

Maybe at the next tea party down in Abingdon he should be asked which ones of us he intends to make destitute with this legislation. Which 8,922 of us. Which of us he's willing to look in the eyes and spout that bullshit about millions of new jobs.

To think, had we anyone else representing us in Washington last week, chances would have been excellent that 8,922 Southwest Virginians would not have to soon be looking for a U-haul rental and a job up north.

Something to consider. Something to remember come judgment day.