Quotes of the day - 8/21/2008

This one is from George Skelton at the Los Angeles Times:

"California is the nation's biggest consumer of gasoline - 45 million gallons a day, plus 10 million gallons of diesel. That makes us the third-biggest petroleum-consuming entity in the world, behind on the United States and China. ... So there's a gusher of hypocrisy here: The state that is the biggest consumer of gasoline in the nation - but produces less than 40% of what it uses - is opposed to drilling for more oil off its shores. We're slackers not pulling our weight."

-Bob

Drill Nothing, Tax Everything or Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less?

In a classic Democrats vs. Republicans battle, we now have the battle over energy. So far, it boils to two strategies:

1. Democrats - Drill Nothing, Tax Everything.
2. Republicans -Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less.

What do these statements mean, you ask?

1. The Democrat's plan (Drill Nothing, Tax Everything), attempts to punish the people of this country for using energy by refusing access to domestic energy sources and taxing them at every opportunity. They also seek to punish (with taxes and penalties) "Big Oil" for their "huge" (7 - 10%) profits. They strongly support continuing to purchase oil from foreign sources regardless of how high the price is. Results, you've seen 'em, energy prices will continue to rise...
   
2. The Republican's plan (Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less), attempts to empower the people of this country by providing access to some of the largest sources of energy in the world. By providing access to a rich source of domestic energy, two major things happen: 1. Far less money is spent on foreign energy sources, also helping to correct the trade deficit. 2. As supply exceeds demand, prices fall. Strong competition with an abundant supply will very much favor the consumer. Results, everything may be more affordable again...

Ask yourself, are you paying enough yet for your energy? Are you paying enough for food? Are you paying enough taxes? Maybe too much? Maybe much too much?

I see it like this:

1. Why vote for Democrats? Because you haven't paid enough yet, and you need to pay more. Eventually even everything isn't enough.
2. Why vote for Republicans? Because you have already paid more than enough and don't want to pay more. Enough is enough.
3. 7 - 10% profits are not huge. The taxes alone on fuel greatly exceed 10%. Think about this way, the oil company that did all of the work gets paid less than the government that did none of the work. Doesn't that make "Big Government" more evil than "Big Oil"?
4. Taxes and penalties will never lower the consumer's price. The only effect will be higher prices.
   

Don't get me wrong, the Republicans are far from perfect too. Many of them still want a government that's far too big (among other things). It's more like "not so good" (Republicans) and "really bad" (Democrats). Given only these choices, I would much rather have "not so good" than "really bad". Unfortunately, at this point, all of the "other" parties really don't have much of chance on a national scale.

As the people we have to continue to (strongly) remind our elected officials that they are in their position to represent their people. It is up to us to keep them in check...

-Bob

President Bush to Congress: Don't leave town without lifting the ban

From the Desk of: Steve Elliott, President, Grassfire.org Alliance

Dear Robert,

Our message has reached the President!

According to the Associated Press, President Bush, campaigning to lift
the offshore drilling ban said "All the Democratic leaders have to do
is allow a vote."

He concluded saying, "They should not leave Washington without doing so."

Robert, pressure is mounting for this "do nothing Congress
to do something," and once again Grassfire is in the eye of the storm--
delivering petitions EVERY DAY demanding the ban be lifted before
Congress takes a break.

Do your part and sign the petition today: http://www.grassfire.net/r.asp?u=9751&PID=17360891

Send a message to the Democrat leadership and keep the pressure on to lift the drilling restrictions!

-Bob

Dear Congress: No recess until the drilling ban is lifted

I just signed a petition demanding that Congress lift the federal ban on offshore drilling immediately -- before they take their month-long summer break. Members of Congress are doing nothing while gas prices soar. Let's put their feet to the fire! Join me in signing here:
http://www.grassfire.org/108/petition.asp?PID=17360891&NID=1

Here's more on the issue (from grassfire.org):

It is outrageous that as gas prices have soared for months, Congress has done nothing. Unlike Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the big government liberals, we don’t want our government to solve our problems -- we just want the government to get out of the way!

And right now, Congress is the last blockade stopping more offshore drilling.

This is absolutely urgent. Again, your Senators and Representative will soon be leaving D.C. for a long, summer recess.

We must band together and demand action...

LIFT THE BAN OR NO VACATION FOR CONGRESS!

Sign the petition now: http://www.grassfire.org/108/petition.asp?PID=17360891&NID=1

Also, please continue to support the "Drill Here. Drill Now. Pay Less." campaign.


-Bob

Kudos to Congressman Green

From www.humanevents.com:

I also want to take the time to congratulate a principled Democratic Representative who had the courage to break with his party leadership last week on the issue of domestic energy production.

Congressman Gene Green (D-TX) told CNBC, "We also need more exploration. But we really need to get more oil to the market, particularly from our own country. The best signal we can send to OPEC and anywhere else in the world is maybe not filing a lawsuit against them but actually saying 'we are going to start producing in our own country.'"

All Americans who are concerned about out-of-control prices and our vulnerability to energy blackmail by foreign dictators should appreciate and acknowledge Congressman Green's stand. The only question left is the one posed to Green by the CNBC anchor: "Can you convince the other wings of your party to think like you do?"

Good job Mr Green!

-Bob

Oppose the 1.2 Trillion Dollar "Carbon Tax"

From americansolutions.com:

Next week, the Senate is set to begin debate on a bill that will raise the price of gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil and aviation fuel. (view this Heritage Foundation state-by-state breakdown to find out how much Warner Lieberman will cost you).

It's the Warner-Lieberman global warming bill, and its supporters are as misguided and out-of-touch with the American people as the supporters of last spring's immigration amnesty bill - and we all remember how that turned out.

There are two things you can do now to fight back.

First, call or email your Senator and tell him or her to vote "no" on Warner-Lieberman - "no" on raising the cost of driving to work, heating your home, and feeding your family.

Second, visit americansolutions.com/drillnow and sign our "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less" petition. The petition is simple but powerful. It says:

We, therefore, the undersigned citizens of the United States, petition the U.S. Congress to act immediately to lower gasoline prices by authorizing the exploration of proven energy reserves to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources from unstable countries.

And with your help, as the Senate begins to debate Warner-Lieberman, American Solutions will present the names of 100,000 of their constituents who will hold them accountable if they fail to allow America the freedom to use its own energy resources instead of relying on foreign dictators.

Americans truly have a choice - a choice between the Pay More, Send More Money to Foreign Dictators and Cripple America Left and the Produce More, Enjoy More, Pay Less, Strengthen American Center-Right Majority. Make your choice by visiting americansolutions.com/drillnow.

For more on the problems caused by this legislation, watch this video: http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1452232326/bctid1556133674

Can I count on you to do your part to lower gas prices (and taxes)?

-Bob