Question from Wade B: I'm an avid Cain supporter, but wanted to clarify something: What is Mr. Cain's position on the Keystone XL pipeline? I would assume that he is in favor, but wanted to double check. If he is, he needs to publicly express so, I feel that this would really help his campaign.
Thanks!
Answer: Mr. Cain has released no direct statements regarding Keystone. However, both his policy statements on Energy and Regulation would lead one to agree with you. Mr. Cain has consistently expressed his preference for domestically produced petroleum products and equally expressed his trepidation, both from a National Security, and a Domestic Economic perspective, about our continued reliance on foreign oil suppliers, most especially Middle Eastern companies who have expressed no great love of the United States. It is not a stretch to say that, had we to choose a foreign country to import petroleum from, Canada would be right at the top of our list. To call them a friend of America might be an understatement!!! Let me quote directly from The Official Website: “…liberals have forced excessive environmental regulations that have stifled our domestic energy production, and instead, forced American consumers to rely far too heavily upon foreign oil. In many cases, this oil comes from Middle Eastern countries, some of whom are not friendly to the U.S., who end up dictating the prices of our energy consumption. In return, Americans have seen no improvements in our environment or in the cleanliness of our air. We must expand our domestic energy resources by loosening government’s grip responsibly.”
As, I’m sure we are both aware, Keystone was, in fact, blocked by the EPA which ruled from a strict regulatory perspective, based on Executive Orders from the White House. Let’s look further at Mr. Cain’s stated concerns about the deleterious impact of regulation on our already faltering economy: “According to the Heritage Foundation, burdensome regulations have increased at an alarming rate. In 2010 alone, Washington forced 43 major new regulations on us. The cost of complying with these additional measures is more than $26.5 billion, which according to Heritage, is “far more than any other year for which records are available.”…
We pay for regulations with every bite of food we eat, with every drop of gasoline we put in our cars and with every good or service we obtain. While we might not immediately recognize the impact of such drastic regulations, they are laced tightly in the cost of everything we buy. In fact, the Small Business Administration estimates that complying with regulation costs around $1.75 trillion annually, which is actually twice as much as all revenue from individual income taxes last year.
Alleviating the burdens of cumbersome regulation would be an immediate boost for our weakened economy. It would signal to businesses and investors that the government intends to maintain conditions that allow for them to thrive, not to bog them down with additional costs they must inevitably pass on to their consumers. No one is arguing for lead-based paint in toys for kids or unsafe food. We just want reasonable regulations that cut down on bureaucracy and help businesses succeed. And ultimately, the free market, aided in part by the watchful eyes of investors and consumers, will regulate itself.”
I hope this general answer will assist you, as we enter this Thanksgiving weekend. I am going to further refer you question, and your comments to J.D. Gordon, Friends of Herman Cain, Inc. VP of Communications. I want to be careful here and stick to my promise NOT to speak for Mr. Cain. There is an issue inside Nebraska, coming from their Governor’s Office that muddies this a tad. Please forgive the campaign if they decide to spend the holiday with family. As Mr. Cain so frequently says, “It’s not about us. It’s about the kids; it’s about the grandkids.” Thanksgiving is about the kids..about the grandkids, too! Finally, I feel safer expressing THIS for Mr. Cain. I am absolutely sure he would thank you personally for being an “avid Cain supporter”. I’ve heard him say numerous times that his campaign is driven by folks like you. Happy Thanksgiving!
