Without providing any…

Without providing any quantifiable evidence of either the success or failure of the current cap-and-trade program, I don't see how it makes sense to remove it, to make unsubstantiated claims of its failures, and both empty and vague promises about implementing "other plans" to reduce carbon emissions. The cap-and-trade program helps fund clean-energy research and consumer adoption initiatives. I'm not making any claim to the ROI efficiency of this funding, but without thorough analysis, it is simply a reckless decision to just rip the system out. What if the system is working - how well is it working - what improvements could be made, if any?

I understand the important role of gut-feel, but the problem of climate change, as complex as it is, is too important for anyone to just be guided by emotional reaction to whoever is most charismatic and/or plain-speaking and/or makes money-saving promises while hoping we can't do math to figure out that we'll end up paying more. While it's unrealistic to expect us ordinary citizens to fully comprehend the current state, current or proposed initiatives etc, we should demand that our leaders make evidence-based and strategic decisions with sound, transparent and comprehensive plans that clearly demonstrate how they will benefit our society. This proposal to scrap the cap-and-trade program without any alternative plan smacks of recklessness and a deliberate dismissal of the idea that evidence, careful planning, and society's best long-term interests matter in decision making.