Posted on 05/22/2004 8:42:51 AM PDT by chance33_98
Kerry Outlines Plan for Energy Independence During Democratic Radio Address to the Nation
5/22/2004 11:07:00 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: National Desk, Political Reporter
Contact: Allison Dobson of John Kerry for President, 202-712-3000
BOSTON, May 22 /U.S. Newswire/ -- With gas prices soaring across the country, Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry Saturday outlined the steps he will take as President to make America energy independent in order to help working families, strengthen the economy and make our country more secure.
"There are two reasons why we cannot be asleep at the wheel during this current energy crisis," Kerry said while giving the Democratic Radio Address to the nation. "First, soaring energy prices are putting our economy at risk, and two, our dependence on Middle East oil is putting our national security at risk. But it doesn't have to be this way."
With America's can-do spirit and a President that leads, Kerry said that together we can meet America's energy challenge, and he called for a short-term plan to help families and businesses and a long-term plan for energy independence.
"It is time to get off this ride and chart a new course to energy independence," Kerry said. "But in the short-term, we have to help our families and business with these high energy costs."
For the first time this week, the average price of a gallon of gas has climbed above $2.00. This has put an enormous strain on the budgets of families across the country and driven up costs in the farming, trucking and airline industries.
To help families and the economy now, Kerry said we should go to the Saudi government and other OPEC nations and demand that they increase supply. He also said we should divert oil that is being used to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and bring it instead to the market to bring down prices.
Saying short-term steps are just stopgaps unless we have a long-term plan, Kerry also outlined his long-term plan to reduce our dependence on Mideast oil while also creating jobs. His plan will invest in new technologies and alternative fuels, and establish a realistic fuel economy standard coupled with tax incentives for consumers to buy and manufacturers to build the efficient vehicles of the future.
"A strong America begins at home-with energy independence from the Middle East," Kerry said. "Let's ensure that no young American soldier has to fight and die because of our dependence on foreign oil. This is the great project for our generation."
------
Paid for by John Kerry for President, Inc.
wow. what a plan. curb my enthusiasm.
and the specifics are...?
until we see the sort of fuel available like we saw in the movie 'Back to the Future', all speculation in quick available fuel sources for our national needs right NOW point to Alaska, IMHO.
The President is not going to release the strategic reserve. That is there for a national emergency, not to get prices lower. It is for running essential industry and supplying the military in case oil suppliers refuse to sell to us, or are prevented from doing so.
"To help families and the economy now, Kerry said we should go to the Saudi government and other OPEC nations and demand that they increase supply."
Or what JFK? Or EXACTLY what? Demonrats always leave out the details, because the masses don't read past the sound bite. This morning, I read that the Saudis *are* actually jawboning OPEC to increase production, so what's up JFK??
"He also said we should divert oil that is being used to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and bring it instead to the market to bring down prices."
Another grand idea. Call me a conservative, but what happens if a major terminal is blown up? We just say "Oh well?" Let's see, a Zodiac, 50# of C4, gee, nobody's done that before...
I heard that, at great personal sacrifice to himself but for his country, he was going to offer to marry the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia...it makes you proud to be an American.
Egg-zackly my reaction.
You'd think he would at least mention that the reduction of refining capacity vs. usage increases and regulated fuel formulation costs escalation in proportion to the rise in crude price are the real culprits, not how much oil is sucked from the ground or imported.
and now he FLIPS.......
John Kerry invents Gasohol II.
What is with these socialists, go to the saudis and DEMAND
they reduce prices?
That's like going to the IRS and DEMAND they reduce taxes.
Kerry has pointed out the obvious. He has not articulated a plan.
Suggestion:
1) Drill ANWR and offshore CA.& FL
2) Streamline process so that new oil refineries can be built
3) Streamline process so that 20 new nuclear power plants can be built
4) With added electric power available from the new nuclear power plants we can develop competitive electric cars for local use
5) Tax the sale of all new cars & SUVs that do not achieve 25 mpg highway $2,000. These funds will be used to build the nuclear plants and provide funds for alternative energy research.
I guess like the windmill farm he and Ted Kennedy oppose in the waters off Cape Cod because they destroy the view.
Here's a plan: drill in ANWR!
Troll alert!
This guy (signed up today) was kicked off when he was boxsmith13. Now he has just signed up with a new name -- and not a creative alteration at that.
He is a troll of the worst kind -- pay no heed to his remarks.
Please make sure he gets the treatment he deserves :)
B.S. Pardon my french...oh that would be Kerry talking...
Mr SUV man wants to promote fuel efficient vehicles. Emptying the Strategic Oil Reserves will not help the situation as it is the WORLD WIDE demand for oil and the US limited refining capacity (thank you enviro wackos "Teresa Heinz Kerry") that is creating the increased oil prices. Maybe what we should recommend is that Americans eat less as we have an obesity problem and spend some of that money we spend on fast and fat food on gas for our autos or maybe just recommend that most Americans do without one of their numberous expressos or lattes a week at $3 a pop to pay for the increase in the cost of gasoline.
Well, where I live that would mean my local cafe would have to bring in better coffee beans and food from further away, which takes more gas as the trucks have further to drive :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.