Pelosi Fails to Deliver on Gas Prices
“Democrats have a plan to lower gas prices…join Democrats who are working to lower gas prices now.”
So were the words of then-Minority leader Nancy Pelosi on April 19, 2006 as she campaigned for Democrats' congressional races nationwide. Four days later, the price for a barrel of crude oil surged to $75.
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Today, July, 2, 2008, the price for a barrel of oil surpassed $144. In the past two years, the Democratically-controlled Congress has overseen a 92% increase in the price of crude oil. Included in Pelosi's promises, and not unrelated to the price at the pump was her pledge for energy independence. Yet during her term as Speaker, Ms. Pelosi has refused to lift bans on drilling.
Yes, we should invest in alternative, "green", sources of energy, and yes, our dependence on oil should be re-evaluated. But the reality remains that such sources of energy will take years, if not decades, to perfect. We need a short-term solution to what is admittedly a long-term problem. With every day, our submission to OPEC furthers Americans' pain at the pump. Simple Economics 101 tells us of the law of supply and demand. Assuming the level of demand remains more or less constant (and we welcome evidence to the contrary), and this country finally provides its own source of energy, the benefits will be three-fold:
The expecation of lower prices in the future due to increased supply would lead to an immediate drop in prices at the pump.
Our dependence on OPEC currently puts cash into the pockets of Iran, a State Department-identified state sponsor of terrorism, and Venezuela, whose President, Hugo Chavez, fathered the slogan "socialism or death" for his military.
The technological advances, as well as the manpower that would ensue were we to drill domestically would inevitiably provide significant benefits of the American economy, especially as it pertains to research and development.
Yet Pelosi's Congress, as well as Obama's Senate, have refused to take action to ease the pinch. Of course, President Bush could always just impose an artificial price control the way President Carter did in the 1970s. That worked pretty well then.
Comments
The point about the
The point about the consumption of foreign fuel seems in itself hipocritical and ill timed-if we are so concerned about placing money in the hands of 'terrorist nations' then why have republicans not had too big of a problem with it before? And if that is the case then why is there not greater drive among republicans themselves for a substantial and complete break with specifically middle eastern oil? Likewise, the truth is that even if off shore drilling were to start tomorrow, the process of refining and processing these oil reserves would itself take years to accomplish, thereby presenting no viable 'short term relief' for america's consumers.
"if that is the case then
"if that is the case then why is there not greater drive among
republicans themselves for a substantial and complete break with
specifically middle eastern oil?"
Republicans have been pushing for YEARS for oil independence, and breaking from OPEC. The problem is that President Bush was consitently met with resistance in 2002 when he called for drilling. Oil independence was one of our President's top priorities upon taking office.
"Likewise, the truth is that even if off shore drilling were to start
tomorrow, the process of refining and processing these oil reserves
would itself take years to accomplish, thereby presenting no viable
'short term relief' for america's consumers. "
Okay, let's assume that it would take 6 years to get one gallon of gasoline from ANWR. so? are we to continue funding the iranians? it would take no longer than investing in alternative sources of energy. Americans have done nothing but bicker about this for years, sending the message loud and clear to OPEC- we have no interest in severing ties with them.
Furthermore, its called expectations. When we begin to drill for our own oil, OPEC will know that we are no longer the wet blanket we have always been. Chavez is now calling for $200/bbl prices.
Expectations
The instant the world realizes that America is no longer content with being a petroleum victim, the price of oil will plummet, regardless of when the first drop is delivered. It's called market psychology. Not very complicated, really.
OIL
It's time to start countin the ducks. We need to have a document presented to every congressman/woman and senator up for election saying that the first thing that they will do in the '09 congress is to repeal all drilling bans on offshore areas and all federal lands except for national parks! The document also requires that environmental roadblocks to construction and operation of refineries and pipelines are likewise repealed and construction of same fast tracked through the local permitting processes. If any one fails to join the band then we campaign against them this fall, likewise, we campaign for those who do sign. We post the signatures on a web site for all to see.
OIL
Great idea! And, the timing is perfect.
Anyone who does not sign is, in effect, in favor of these crazy oil and gas prices. Let's expose the do-nothings for what they are.
"The instant the world
"The instant the world realizes that America is no longer content with being a petroleum victim, the price of oil will plummet, regardless of when the first drop is delivered. It's called market psychology. Not very complicated, really."
That sort of thinking, my friend, is called abnormal psychology and unfortunately, it is rather complicated.
Wel....
complicated or not, it's very accurate.
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