We could say that there is a ghost lurking. To paraphrase Karl Marx there is a ghost running through the streets of Copenhagen. And I think that ghost is silent, somewhere in this room, amongst us. Coming through the corridors and underneath. And that ghost is a terrible ghost and nobody wants to name him or her. It’s capitalism. Capitalism is that ghost. Nobody I don’t think wants to name it. Capitalism. I’ve also been struck by some of the signs outside this conference. One sign in particular that reads, “Don’t change the climate … change the system!” I particularly liked that one and would add to that by saying that by changing the system, we could save the planet. The destructive model of capitalism is eradicating life.

You’re not going to believe this, but I agree with some of what Hugo Chavez said. I agree that there is in fact a “ghost in the room,” but we disagree on its name. The ghost isn’t capitalism, it’s socialism, but like Chavez said, no one wants to name it, since doing so would undermine the purpose of the climate summit.

For many, their liberal brand of environmentalism and socialist tendencies fit in perfectly with the climate debate. Blame corporations for all that is wrong with the world, over-regulate them, extract money from the tresuries of these capitalist countries, then use it to “help” developing nations who have far fewer responsibilities for protecting the planet from global warming. It’s really a macro version of what you see progressives trying to do through the tax code. Raise taxes on productive citizens, then use it to subsidize those who lack ambition. It’s the same thing on a global scale, using climate change as a well-developed cover.

If you are truly concerned about global warming, I hope you are equally concerned about how many of your fellow supporters are hell-bent on demonizing industrialized nations and the capitalist system. By the way, isn’t it funny how capitalism is evil, yet they have no qualms about asking for our money?

As these scientists, protesters, and interested parties are watching, I hope they are also on the lookout for hypocrisy. A lot of people claim to care about global warming and want to others to make changes in their lifestyles, but they are reluctant to make these changes in their own life. The saying, “do as I say, not as I do” comes to mind.

The summit in Copenhagen is currently accounting for the use of 1,200 limousines and hundreds of private jets. The carbon footprint of the conference will be the equivalent of a large city. These are the people who are making decisions that affect us?

If the attendees won’t follow the suggestions and regulations they want to impose on others, then why are we even paying attention to them?