Here we go again. Rather than providing much needed leadership on the oil spill crisis, President Obama and the liberals in Congress instead are trying to use it as an excuse to push through a cap and trade program -- yet another big government initiative that will do nothing to stem the millions of gallons of oil spilling into the ocean, and which will have a negative impact on hard-working American families and the economy as a whole.

As Governor of Massachusetts, I declined to sign onto a regional cap and trade program because of my concern that it will raise energy prices for businesses and families. Unfortunately, my Democratic successor joined that agreement, known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and the result has been higher electricity prices for everyone, despite claims from advocates who said energy bills will go down. 

Cap and trade effectively constitutes an enormous, hidden tax on the American people and American businesses. It will lead to higher joblessness and make a bad economic situation even worse. And because it will simply move greenhouse gas emitters from America to other nations like China, it won't do a thing to affect climate change.

This cap and trade program must be defeated. Will you stand with me in helping to make our voices heard by making a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, or even the maximum $5,000 to my PAC today?  

At a time when we need leaders who will focus on solving the problems facing this nation today -- stopping the oil spill, strengthening our economy, and creating an environment in which job creation can thrive -- we instead have leaders more interested in growing government. Whether it's cap and trade, a costly stimulus bill, auto company bailouts, job-killing card check legislation, or a health care law that imposes higher taxes, President Obama and the liberals controlling Congress have come down on the side of big government over and over again. 

It is time that we make our voices heard and say enough is enough. I hope you will stand with me in doing so today.