Senator Gresham Barrett’s call for Congress to return and to work on an urgently needed energy policy is a wise call, and long overdue. However, he failed to prove that only Democrats are running away from the issue. For decades, both Democratic and Republican majorities in Congress have failed to establish a comprehensive, effective, and long-term, energy policy.
Somethings needs to be made clear about this charade the Republicans are staging. There seems to be an admission here that letting Big Oil have free reign will not cure the problems. Rep Barrett acknowledges the need for nuclear, bio diesel, coal gas, natural gas, etc. along with a need to drill. The problem is however that Republicans have refused to work out anything on the oil crises UNLESS drilling is included. They’ve basically said “look, Big Oil is our largest contributor and they want to drill any damn place they want and any time they want. We owe that to them because, uh, well, they own us”.
This “drill now” is an absolute scam and will do nothing to relieve the price of gas at the pumps. People are angry, scared and broke. What an opportune time for Republicans to do what they do best; con or scare voters into thinking they’re doing something for them when in fact, they are only helping their campaign contributors.
What amazes me is that the Democrats can’t even get enough spine to expose the Republicans for what they have done and have somehow excepted blame for the disaster we’re in. Let’s take a look at what happened when the R’s were in Power from 2004-2006. They repeatedly voted against cracking down on price gouging, defeating Democrats efforts. They promoted tax breaks for the oil companies. They refused to encourage better fuel efficiency in the automotive industry. (HR3893, Vote #518, 10/7/05; HR3893, Vote #517, 10/7/05; HR3402, Vote #500, 9/28/05; HR6, Vote #118, 4/20/05)
Wonder why? Perhaps the $8.6 million in campaign contributions from oil and gas companies with 84% of it going to Republicans could be a clue.
We’ve all heard the talking points explaining why drilling will do nothing. Even President Bush and John McCain have conceded that it will do nothing (other than a psychological sugar pill). Still, Republicans refuse to work out anything UNLESS drilling is included. Reward the oil company first and then we’ll talk. It’s just like almost every piece of legislation American voters have seen the last 7 years. It will make a fortune for a Republican campaign contributor at the expense, or at best do absolutely nothing for the American people.
It’s also interesting that John McCain has received $1.1 million from big oil since he flip flopped on his drilling stand.
Senator Gresham Barrett’s call for Congress to return and to work on an urgently needed energy policy is a wise call, and long overdue. However, he failed to prove that only Democrats are running away from the issue. For decades, both Democratic and Republican majorities in Congress have failed to establish a comprehensive, effective, and long-term, energy policy.
Somethings needs to be made clear about this charade the Republicans are staging. There seems to be an admission here that letting Big Oil have free reign will not cure the problems. Rep Barrett acknowledges the need for nuclear, bio diesel, coal gas, natural gas, etc. along with a need to drill. The problem is however that Republicans have refused to work out anything on the oil crises UNLESS drilling is included. They’ve basically said “look, Big Oil is our largest contributor and they want to drill any damn place they want and any time they want. We owe that to them because, uh, well, they own us”.
This “drill now” is an absolute scam and will do nothing to relieve the price of gas at the pumps. People are angry, scared and broke. What an opportune time for Republicans to do what they do best; con or scare voters into thinking they’re doing something for them when in fact, they are only helping their campaign contributors.
What amazes me is that the Democrats can’t even get enough spine to expose the Republicans for what they have done and have somehow excepted blame for the disaster we’re in. Let’s take a look at what happened when the R’s were in Power from 2004-2006. They repeatedly voted against cracking down on price gouging, defeating Democrats efforts. They promoted tax breaks for the oil companies. They refused to encourage better fuel efficiency in the automotive industry. (HR3893, Vote #518, 10/7/05; HR3893, Vote #517, 10/7/05; HR3402, Vote #500, 9/28/05; HR6, Vote #118, 4/20/05)
Wonder why? Perhaps the $8.6 million in campaign contributions from oil and gas companies with 84% of it going to Republicans could be a clue.
We’ve all heard the talking points explaining why drilling will do nothing. Even President Bush and John McCain have conceded that it will do nothing (other than a psychological sugar pill). Still, Republicans refuse to work out anything UNLESS drilling is included. Reward the oil company first and then we’ll talk. It’s just like almost every piece of legislation American voters have seen the last 7 years. It will make a fortune for a Republican campaign contributor at the expense, or at best do absolutely nothing for the American people.
It’s also interesting that John McCain has received $1.1 million from big oil since he flip flopped on his drilling stand.