By Alice Nelson March 16, 2014 Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Thomas Friedman has weighed in on the Russia/Ukraine conflict, and his ideas about what role the US should play in this situation are interesting -- not good, just interesting. I readily admit that I am not the political wonk that the vaunted New York Times columnist believes he is; I am but a simple stay at home wife and mother who keeps a close eye on the goings on in that incestuous bastion known as Washington D.C. And even though Friedmans March 4th column titled Why Putin Doesnt Respect Us, makes some good observations, for the most part its littered with typical lefty solutions that the last 5 years has proven does not work. I agree with Friedman that going to war with Putin is not in our best interest, and that we need a long term strategy to deal with the problem that is Vladimir. But as is expected, Friedman rides off the rails and into the fast lane of liberalism where tax increases and environmental restrictions are the answer to every plight we confront today. Friedman suggests the long-term strategy should be: ...investing in the facilities to liquefy and export our natural gas bounty (provided it is extracted at the highest environmental standards) and making Europe, which gets 30 percent of its gas from Russia, more dependent on us instead. Id also raise our gasoline tax, put in place a carbon tax and a national renewable energy portfolio standard all of which would also help lower the global oil price (and make us stronger, with cleaner air, less oil dependence and more innovation). You want to frighten Putin? Friedman continues, Just announce those steps. Really ? Raising taxes on Americans and going green will scare the pants off Putin? In what Universe? [Excerpt] Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/03/hey_ukraine_thomas_friedman_has_got_your_back.html Russia is the third largest supplier of oil and natural gas. It would mean nothing to him. As far as raising fuel taxes, a carbon tax and a national renewable energy portfolio standard.Wow, that's a Progressive's wet dream come true. As usual not allowing a crisis to go without plugging their Progressive goals.
