Living under a rock

OK, so Republicans in the Senate have successfully filibustered a new bill which would, however tentatively, put the US on a path to reduce carbon emissions. That's not unsurprising. And hey, it's pretty likely that the bill's "cap and trade" plan isn't perfect, and we can probably do better after the election when maybe we'll have the 60 votes we need to smack down this filibustering of every goddamn bill that they don't like.

But this?

(C)ritics of the bill said it threatened economic growth and would raise people's energy bills.

Seriously, do Republican Senators live completely cloistered lives? Do any of them ever, you know, have to pay for a tank of gas or an electric bill?

Hasn't current policy "threatened economic growth" and "raised people's energy bills" without providing any relief from carbon emissions? Oh, yeah, and massive profits for oil companies.

I think cutting into those is what might be generating opposition from Senate Republicans, no?

UPDATE: The N&O reports that North Carolina's two Republican Senators are split on this bill, with Richard Burr opposing it ("It's a Ponzi scheme," Burr said.) and Liddy Dole supporting it How much of Liddy's support is based on her reelection prospects?

Asked whether she thought global warming would be part of her campaign, Dole said she thinks voters may be focused on other issues.

"Obviously it's something I'll talk about from time to time because it's a major issue that we face, but in terms of what people ask about, I think frankly the immigration issue will be talked about a lot more," Dole said.

Global catastrophe vs. scary brown people? Hmmm. We know where Republicans' priorities lie.