Bernie Sanders’ “Green New Deal” Is Far More Radical Than the EU’s “European Green Deal”

March 6, 2020

Bernie Sanders and his supporters have long argued that the soft socialism of Europe presents a template for political and energy reform in the United States. However, when compared to Europe’s Green Deal, Sanders’ proposed Green New Deal looks even more troubling.

In a recent interview with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes, Sanders shows his support for a complete federal takeover of the power industry, a major element not found in Europe’s plan.

“No such allusions to government owning the means of production can be found in the European Green Deal. In contrast to establishing government-owned production of energy, the Green Deal and other European documents (e.g. the Renewable Energy Directive) encourage energy production from renewable sources. To put it simply, Europeans seem concerned about producing more energy from renewables, while Sanders’s plan emphasizes government-owned facilities.”

As seen throughout history, most recently in Venezuela, the government seizing the means of production invariably ends in catastrophe for the general population.

Another key difference between the bills emerges in the proposed renewable energy targets. According to Townhall:

“Europe’s Green Deal talks a great deal about making the economy CO2-neutral and reducing emissions by 55 percent compared to 1990 levels. This is ambitious, but at least it connects to the Kyoto framework. Sanders, on the other hand, promises “100 percent renewable energy for electricity and transportation by no later than 2030.”

The complete transformation of our energy sector to renewable energy in the next ten years is a common theme throughout Sanders’ GND, but there is no tangible plan to accomplish this goal. As insane as this is on its own, there is also no consideration given to the effects this would have on the US economy, which is still the world’s largest.

“Sanders’s goal would mean no gasoline for cars, no diesel for electric generators, trucks and trains, no jet fuel for airplanes, no marine diesel for ships by 2030. By 2050 we’d have no gas for cooking, no oil for heating.”

The economy and society of the United States is a metaphorical house in need of repairs. Bernie Sanders has convinced himself and his followers that the best solution is to burn down the house and build a new one, despite having no reasonable plans to execute his vision. It’s clear that Sanders wants to be even more socialist than the European Union, despite the disastrous consequences this would have for our country.