The cadre now occupying Washington has staked itself out to inflict "green" energy alternatives by a sleight-of-hand labeled "cap and trade."

Being thrust into darkness was not on my mind until I heard about Earth Hour. Homes and businesses in 4,000 towns across the globe agreed to shut off power for one hour at 8:30 PM of a Saturday night to rally public interest in global warming. Several worldwide corporations pitched right in, including McDonald's which served by candlelight.

The demonstrations are a manifesto from disturbed "greenies" willing to cast us all in the dark to end dependence on fossil fuels. Despite more recent research that earth may not be warming at an alarming rate after all, environmental zealots continue apace with rapturous devotion. Take heed. We may all be groping around in the dark if sanity is not restored soon.

But that appears unlikely. The cadre now occupying Washington – that thinks adding 250,000 federal jobs and raising the national debt to 12% of GDP and higher will rescue the economy – has staked itself out to inflict "green" energy alternatives by a sleight-of-hand labeled "cap and trade." This bit of trickery begins by "capitalizing" emissions from coal and nuclear plants. A price is cooked up per pollutant particle, with the power companies paying the estimated amount to the Feds before they can generate power.

Naturally, the cash generated is to be distributed to the people – if you believe it will ever get there – who, it is assumed, will be happy and eat cake and thank Lord Obama and his merry band of delusional do-gooders for punishing the evil energy companies. Until the contented masses receive their first power bill. Heating and cooling a mid-size home is estimated to increase from $250 to over $900. But don't forget the check you were supposed to receive . . .

As one pundit put it, Obama's team sees money as an agent of politics, not as a value produced by the economy. That helps to understand the utopian notion that government knows best gripping the White House and Congress. To them, imposing Fabian schemes on the nation has no real cost. And since the outcomes they envision are sanctified by their righteous zeal to save Mother Earth, they can't imagine reconsidering – no matter if they bring down the progress of the past 250 years and cast the United States into a modern version of the Dark Ages.

As long as everyone loves each other and nobody's feelings are ever hurt and we all meet face to face to discuss our problems, it's okay we could be walking around with torches to see our way. Maybe our enemies – who have pledged publicly to destroy America with nuclear missiles – will allow us to meet at their place for Obama's planned "face-to-face big tent" confabs. At least we will be able to see their eyes while they lie through their teeth.

Ten years ago, old Leftists fled Marxism after the collapse of the USSR and joined up with the environmental lobby to continue to wage war against capitalism by other means. The term "man-made" was dramatically parked in front of "global warming" and presto, the war to save the planet was focused against industry. Carbon footprints and LEED buildings are de rigueur – and everyone is cashing in by going "green," little knowing they are aiding and abetting the downfall of the system that made us great.

Proof is right in front of our face. US Senator and former Democrat presidential candidate John Kerry made this point in a stump speech recently while peddling the latest Obama pipe dream. He actually said we must destroy capitalists to save the earth, more evidence America is now functioning under a coup d'état. Obama and company refuse to postpone their save the world agendas and focus on the economic downturn with full attention. Alas, that people are truly suffering and in despair about the future will not stand in his Lordship's way.

But of all the boondoggles on the horizon – the war in Afghanistan, national health care – the "green" movement is happening fast. War and health care require changes within the entire federal edifice, but saving the planet can be imposed on the local level quickly, often with the usual unintended consequences.

For example, a black market is developing in dishwasher detergent in the state of Washington created by a "green" ban on the use of phosphates. Dozens of cities are implementing zany green schemes to attract federal largesse. City and county elected officials and dedicated staffs have morphed into little green hamsters aimlessly pushing the wheels of the environmental agenda to the detriment of effective governance.

And the green attitude about road-building has led to the preposterous reality that you can plug in an electric car in many downtowns, but the road you take to get there is in such disrepair the potholes change your radio station. Because money and political will have been channeled to fuzzy-wuzzy environmental policies, street improvements are set aside as our area elected officials day dream about rail transit systems in the sky that will levy even more onerous taxes.

The people are starting to realize the consequences of worshipping the golden calf of theoretical environmentalism. It's time for change, to coin a phrase.