Ted Cruz Sticks to his principles

It is generally agreed among the political class that there is little to be gained by taking a stand against a law, especially when you are ostensibly looking for votes from those who may have a vested interest in that laws perpetuation.  In this regard, we cite Ted Cruz's opposition to the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS), first passed in 2005 and which requires, among other things, that ethanol be added to the gasoline purchased by American motorists. Since ethanol is produced from corn, this issue would seem destined to play a major role in a presidential primary in, say, Iowa, which is knee deep in corn farmers.

Ted's position on this issue has not gone unnoticed among the good folks in Iowa, especially said farmers who sell corn to the ethanol plants.  A front-page article in today's WSJ chronicles the anti-Cruz crusade being waged by America's Renewable Future, which represents the ethanol lobby. Suffice it to say, they are not happy with young Ted.

The Renewable Fuel Standards is a prime example of many of the regulations being pumped out by federal agencies in a flawed attempt to achieve questionable goals. These agencies unilaterally
issue laws and then often act as judge and jury as they prosecute violators, all with little or no oversight by the executive branch. While the flaws of the RFS are widely known, click HERE for a concise analysis written by Nicolas Loris of the Heritage Foundation.

The point here is not whether Ted Cruz is against renewable energy, but rather that Ted Cruz is willing to take a stand, at considerable political risk, against this type of administrative law that comes not from the legislative process, but rather springs from the misguided minds of bureaucrats, often stifling economic progress and adding to the degree to which the federal government has oozed its way into more and more aspects of our daily lives.

Quoted in the Journal article, Ted Cruz said:

"I don't think Iowa farmers want to be dependent on Washington"  

In a few weeks, the voters of Iowa will decide whether or not they agree.