Posted on 08/19/2005 7:31:12 AM PDT by Sybeck1
WASHINGTON - (KRT) - Americans are mad as heck about soaring gas prices, and Democrats hope they'll take it out on the Republicans who control the federal government in next year's midterm elections. "Bush does nothing to combat rising prices," the Democratic National Committee said this week in a new attack seeking to link President Bush, his party, gas prices and oil-company profits in the public mind. "Republicans are in the oil companies' pockets and Bush is in the oil companies' pockets." The White House responds that no one can turn around gas prices instantly, that Bush fought for years to enact an energy bill and that the new plan, signed into law earlier this month, will take years to produce results. "This is a problem that took decades to develop; it's not going to be solved overnight," Deputy White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said. Polls suggest that most Americans tend to blame oil companies and foreign oil producers more than Bush or other politicians. But if gas prices inflame inflation enough to drag down the economy, that could be the straw that breaks the Republican grip on Congress. Polls show voters are already deeply unhappy with their lawmakers. Approval ratings for Congress now rival the lows that preceded the 1994 voter revolt, which ended a 40-year Democratic House majority. The news from Iraq isn't brightening the public mood. Throw in resentment of high gasoline prices, topped perhaps by a resulting weak economy, and it could be a rough election year for incumbents of the governing party. That's exactly what Democrats want. (Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
In 1973, we had the Yom Kippur war and the Arab caused oil crisis.
Which caused a massive spike in the price of gasoline. So the only thing you show with that comparison is that the current price of gas is near that of the oil crisis.
Yet the oil crisis of 1973 was very short-term, can you say the same of the current prices?
You got it. I'm surprised it took so long for the Demmys to start ripping Bush. We'd have been all over a Demprez a lot sooner.
They are just complaining to complain. Their policies are as much to blame as anything Republicans have done. They have no plan, except more of the enviro whackiness that exists now. It's like having a cold. So they offer to give you pneumonia to make it better.
Problem is that Republicans are very vulnerable on a lot of issues. Bush doesn't appear to care about much of anything, except turning the place into Mexico. The Republican cupboard is dangerously bare. They aren't offering much of a platform except calling people names who point out the emperor's lack of clothing.
The only thing the Republicans have to do, is to point out that Democrats have prevented oil drilling for 30 years.
Don't forget the Republicans that got the energy bill passed and signed into law. It contains a provision prohibiting oil drilling in the Great Lakes. Also, consider Republican senator Liberal Dole of North Carolina, who is fighting offshore drilling in that state.
the dems should have a landslide in 2006.
There is only one problem. They don't have any ideas to fix any problem, large or small. They also have bad candidates.
In 1994, the republicans fielded good candidates and had ideas that made sense to people.
Look for 2006 to be nearly a draw with the Pubs eeking out another narrow win.
True, but the ratio of dims for domestic production versus Republicans against domestic production tells the tale. ONLY a handful of pubbies succumb to the PC crowd that demands "feel good" initiatives that are bleeding our Republic.
No party is perfect, but I darn sure KNOW which one thinks most like me!
LLS
42 per cent, or 42 cents per gallon average?
The avg tax on a gal of gas is 30%
I'm sure these hand wringers would be willing to give us a tax holiday - at least during the peak "driving season". </s
DRILL IN ANWAR NOW!
My "google" kept turning up c. 30% for the average but that was probably just federal ... I like your figures better.
:-)
The Dimos and enviriacs are responsible as well as peanut Jimmy and Billy Jeff for all of the insane energy policies they have promoted for the last 30 years.
Their problem is they have to fill the gas tanks on their SUVs' with the costly fuel they gave birth to and it hurts.
Lower the taxes on gasoline, allow drilling in ANWAR and offshore, build more refineries, and quit making fuel tailored for each area or state. We do need to keep looking for alternative energy, build more atomic reactors, keep up the research into hybrids and so on. I don't think the hydrogen economy will work though, but I think we need to do a lot of these things.
"At 3.00 per gallon gas isn't really that high."
Do you really think people like me who watched the price go from $1.99 to $2.45 per gallon in about three weeks will suddenly feel magically better if you just say this enough or if the MSM runs enough stories saying the price isn't high? Don't you see how really dumb this argument is?
"Hey, honey, you see that gas credit card bill we just got? Don't worry because it really isn't high as you think it is when you read that bottom number. It's all an illusion. Just write a check for half of that and I'm sure the company will consider the bill paid in full."
"Even Freepers, who should be a little immune to media manipulation are buying it hook line and sinker."
I'm glad you enjoy paying current gas prices. Call me gullible if you want, but I'd be perfectly happy paying less.
Right on.
"Bush does nothing to combat rising prices," the Democratic National Committee said this week"
Great. Let's get Anwar online and begin off shore drilling off Santa Monica.
More proof that Liberals are far too naive to be in charge of anything of importance.
Did the price decrease to pre-crisis levels before beginning to rise again? I think not. Feel free to correct me if you have data.
My data was sloppy anyway, a combination of memories from my ninth year and a web page with annual inflation rate figures on it.
OTOH, the inflation rate figures were taken from the CPI, which figures in energy costs (along with food, housing, yadda yadda), which figures in spikes and crises and all manner of pestilence, so...meh.
I just refuse to give myself high blood pressure over any of it or blame the gummint or what have you.
It was a nice weekend, after all :)
Yeah, I can see you're really fired up about this horrible, economy busting situation. Well, do what everyone else does, Republicans and Democrats alike, and vote your wallet.
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.