Romney-backed solar firm flops, Dems pounce

[danarhea]

A Massachusetts solar company to which Mitt Romney personally delivered a $1.5 million loan when he was governor has gone belly up, leaving him vulnerable to the same "picking winners and losers" charges that he's been lobbing at President Barack Obama over Solyndra.

The president's reelection campaign wasted no time noting Romney's support for Lowell-based Konarka Technologies, which announced Friday it had filed for bankruptcy protection with plans to lay off more than 80 workers and liquidate its assets.

OK, while the GOP is attacking Obama on Solyndra, this is the THIRD green energy company backed by Mitt Romney that has gone belly up. But 'ya know what? I'm not going to attack Mitt on this. Why? Because green energy is the wave of the future, and yes, some investments in green energy will flop, despite our best efforts to get them off the ground, but it is the overall direction that counts.

So, keep attacking Obama over his funding of green energy. I won't do the same with Mitt Romney. Why? Because I will ALWAYS put America first.

To Mitt: Yes, you've had a few bumps on the road to green energy, Mitt, but overall you have done well to push green energy, and help wean us off Middle Eastern oil. I might critisize you for a lot of things, but I will give credit where credit is due. Well done, Governor.

And to the Dems - You are no different than the Obama attackers. Shame on you, hypocrites.

Article is here.

 

[Helix]

_____________________

But 'ya know what? I'm not going to attack Mitt on this. Why? Because green energy is the wave of the future, and yes, some investments in green energy will flop, despite our best efforts to get them off the ground, but it is the overall direction that counts.

this.

 

[Mycroft]

Hmmm...

I wonder how much federal taxpayer money was spent on this Massachusetts company?

Was it anywhere near as much as half a billion dollars?

Did it increase the federal debt...at all?

I'd say it's hard to claim hypocrisy when one is discussing apples and oranges.

 

[tecoyah]

U.S. Solar has been very hard hit for some time now:

"On one side are those who claim China has been illegally subsidizing and dumping its solar products in the U.S. market, forcing many American manufacturers into bankruptcy. These companies, mostly manufacturers of solar panels and related products, claim Chinese solar companies have benefited from government largesse in the form of free land and facilities, electricity and water, and low- or no-cost loans that keep prices for Chinese-made solar products artificially low. In addition, they claim these Chinese companies are illegally “dumping” their cheap solar panels into the American market, making it nearly impossible for U.S. manufacturers to compete."

China's Solar Industry Should Be Held Accountable For Breaking Trade Laws | ThinkProgress

 

[mike2810]

Nice sarcastic response. "Well done, Gov". You say you won't poke jabs, but you did.:lol:

I agree we need to develop alternative energy sources. The question should be, should we use money we don't have to do so? Last I saw the feds are borrowing about .40 of every dollar spent.

 

[tecoyah]

Hmmm...

I wonder how much federal taxpayer money was spent on this Massachusetts company?

Was it anywhere near as much as half a billion dollars?

Did it increase the federal debt...at all?

I'd say it's hard to claim hypocrisy when one is discussing apples and oranges.

We know....we know. Obama is corrupt, ignorant, and a Muslim, Kenyan, Socialist that eats Dogs and Babies. Your stance has been VERY well established.

Did you happen to catch this in the OP:

"So, keep attacking Obama over his funding of green energy. I won't do the same with Mitt Romney. Why? Because I will ALWAYS put America first."

Really makes you seem a bit nasty, don't it?

 

[danarhea]

Nice sarcastic response. "Well done, Gov". You say you won't poke jabs, but you did.:lol:

I agree we need to develop alternative energy sources. The question should be, should we use money we don't have to do so? Last I saw the feds are borrowing about .40 of every dollar spent.

I would rather keep that money here in the US by investing in alternative energy than let it go to China and the Middle East. No matter which way we go, it will cost money. The only question is who do you want to pay it to?

 

[Aberration]

I would rather keep that money here in the US by investing in alternative energy than let it go to China and the Middle East. No matter which way we go, it will cost money. The only question is who do you want to pay it to?

In order for that to work, you will need to put tariffs on Chinese products. Which I am ok with. Many in fancy suits would not be.

 

[mike2810]

I would rather keep that money here in the US by investing in alternative energy than let it go to China and the Middle East. No matter which way we go, it will cost money. The only question is who do you want to pay it to?

The question should be, do we go in debt to fund green energy or do we off set the money with cuts elsewhere?
If we the taxpayers help finance "green energy", do we share in the profits (if any)?
Private sector should pay for it. They are the ones who currently will reap the profits.

 

[Mycroft]

We know....we know. Obama is corrupt, ignorant, and a Muslim, Kenyan, Socialist that eats Dogs and Babies. Your stance has been VERY well established.

Did you happen to catch this in the OP:

"So, keep attacking Obama over his funding of green energy. I won't do the same with Mitt Romney. Why? Because I will ALWAYS put America first."

Really makes you seem a bit nasty, don't it?

Ahhh...I see...

The hypocrisy angle won't work, so you'll raise a strawman, eh?

Dude, I challenge you to show any of my posts in which I advance a stance any where near what you assign to me.

Anyway, I don't think I was, in any way, nasty. All I did was ask a few questions that you, so conveniently, decided not to address.


So it goes.

 

[mac]

I would rather keep that money here in the US by investing in alternative energy than let it go to China and the Middle East. No matter which way we go, it will cost money. The only question is who do you want to pay it to?

You know that only about 15% of our oil imports come from the middle east, right? Most of that is from Saudi Arabia.

 

[danarhea]

The question should be, do we go in debt to fund green energy or do we off set the money with cuts elsewhere?
If we the taxpayers help finance "green energy", do we share in the profits (if any)?
Private sector should pay for it. They are the ones who currently will reap the profits.

No, there is NO question. We ARE going to go into debt. Again the question is do we go into debt to Americans, or do we go into debt to China and the Middle East. At least with the investment, the money stays in the US.

 

[mike2810]

No, there is NO question. We ARE going to go into debt. Again the question is do we go into debt to Americans, or do we go into debt to China and the Middle East. At least with the investment, the money stays in the US.

and this is what is wrong with the US. The borrowed money is coming from China and others.

Do you manage your finances the way the feds are? The US cannot continue spending at the level we are.
Private sector needs to step up.

 

[ttwtt78640]

U.S. Solar has been very hard hit for some time now:

"On one side are those who claim China has been illegally subsidizing and dumping its solar products in the U.S. market, forcing many American manufacturers into bankruptcy. These companies, mostly manufacturers of solar panels and related products, claim Chinese solar companies have benefited from government largesse in the form of free land and facilities, electricity and water, and low- or no-cost loans that keep prices for Chinese-made solar products artificially low. In addition, they claim these Chinese companies are illegally “dumping” their cheap solar panels into the American market, making it nearly impossible for U.S. manufacturers to compete."

China's Solar Industry Should Be Held Accountable For Breaking Trade Laws | ThinkProgress

So what. China does this with everything including shoes and toys. The question is; do cheap foreign solar panels hurt us?. While they may prevent a few U.S. jobs from being created (now) they offer 'below market price' access to the product for our use and enjoyment. Are you for the more affordable benefits of solar power panels (if any) or are you for making them more expensive to create a few jobs?

 

[danarhea]

and this is what is wrong with the US. The borrowed money is coming from China and others.

Do you manage your finances the way the feds are? The US cannot continue spending at the level we are.
Private sector needs to step up.

I pretty much agree with you on that, but the way China is manipulating it's markets unfairly, the private sector here cannot handle it alone. Of course, there is one other solution here. Heavy tariffs on China as a penalty for their manipulation, and if China responds tit for tat, we declare bankruptcy, and tell China we can no longer pay them. Yup, it's a nuclear option, but guess what? Our national debt would be almost erased. We've really got China over a barrel here. LMAO.

 

[Mycroft]

I pretty much agree with you on that, but the way China is manipulating it's markets unfairly, the private sector here cannot handle it alone. Of course, there is one other solution here. Heavy tariffs on China as a penalty for their manipulation, and if China responds tit for tat, we declare bankruptcy, and tell China we can no longer pay them. Yup, it's a nuclear option, but guess what? Our national debt would be almost erased. We've really got China over a barrel here. LMAO.

And where will the single mother down the street, who has five kids, buy shoes for them?

 

[danarhea]

And where will the single mother down the street, who has five kids, buy shoes for them?

Not from a place that uses child slavery. 'Ya see, children benefit here too.

 

[Mycroft]

Not from a place that uses child slavery. 'Ya see, children benefit here too.

shrug...

I don't think she cares much about that...if she can't afford to buy shoes for her own children.

 

[tecoyah]

In order for that to work, you will need to put tariffs on Chinese products. Which I am ok with. Many in fancy suits would not be.

.....uh....
"U.S. orders tariffs on Chinese solar panels
Commerce Department announces the duties after a finding that Chinese solar panel makers 'dumped' their goods. If approved, the tariffs are expected to have a significant effect on the industry.
May 18, 2012|By Don Lee, Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration ordered tariffs of 31% and higher on solar panels imported from China, escalating a simmering trade dispute with China over a case that has sharply divided American interests in the growing clean-energy industry.

The Commerce Department announced the stiff duties Thursday after making a preliminary finding that Chinese solar panel manufacturers "dumped" their goods — that is, sold them at below fair-market value."

U.S. orders tariffs on Chinese solar panels - Los Angeles Times

 

[sawyerloggingon]

What Romney does with his money is his businss, what obama does with mine is my business, apples oranges. Nice try dan, lol.

 

[justabubba]

What Romney does with his money is his businss, what obama does with mine is my business, apples oranges. Nice try dan, lol.

but that wasn't romney's money
he handed over the check, sure. but it was the taxpayer's money he handed over to them

what we learn from this is that both candidates are not adverse to investing taxpayer money in green industry
we learn that they don't always pick winners
this gives Obama ammo when romney brings up solyndra during the coming debates

Fact-checkers debunk Mitt Romney?s Solyndra claim - Andrew Restuccia - POLITICO.com

 

[Mycroft]

but that wasn't romney's money
he handed over the check, sure. but it was the taxpayer's money he handed over to them

what we learn from this is that both candidates are not adverse to investing taxpayer money in green industry
we learn that they don't always pick winners
this gives Obama ammo when romney brings up solyndra during the coming debates

Fact-checkers debunk Mitt Romney?s Solyndra claim - Andrew Restuccia - POLITICO.com

It's still apples and oranges.

If the people, the legislature and the governor of MA want to give the state's money to a business, that's fine with me. Presumably they had the money to waste.

But when the Obama administration gives away the federal taxpayer's money...with no input from the legislature or the people...that's a whole other ballgame. Especially when the government doesn't HAVE the money.

 

[justabubba]

It's still apples and oranges.

If the people, the legislature and the governor of MA want to give the state's money to a business, that's fine with me. Presumably they had the money to waste.

But when the Obama administration gives away the federal taxpayer's money...with no input from the legislature or the people...that's a whole other ballgame. Especially when the government doesn't HAVE the money.

let me translate
state taxpayer money lost investing in green business is ok because romney did it
federal taxpayer money lost investing in green business is not ok because Obama did it
got it

 

[sawyerloggingon]

but that wasn't romney's money
he handed over the check, sure. but it was the taxpayer's money he handed over to them

what we learn from this is that both candidates are not adverse to investing taxpayer money in green industry
we learn that they don't always pick winners
this gives Obama ammo when romney brings up solyndra during the coming debates

Fact-checkers debunk Mitt Romney?s Solyndra claim - Andrew Restuccia - POLITICO.com

I didn't see anything in your link indicating it wasn't Romney money, if it was state money, did I miss something?

 

[justabubba]

I didn't see anything in your link indicating it wasn't Romney money, if it was state money, did I miss something?

here you go:

Romney ... promoted state aid during a January 2003 press conference in Lowell, according to a statement from Ameresco Inc. (AMRC), a Framingham, Massachusetts-based company that also won state help. Romney took over as governor that month.
Romney gave Konarka of Lowell, Massachusetts, a $1.5 million loan, part of $9 million in state financing to clean- energy companies. Romney also announced that a restructured green fund would provide $15 million in support for renewable energy in the state.

Romney-Backed Solar Company Fails Days After He Faulted Solyndra - Bloomberg