Democrats want Republicans to pay for high gas prices

The Mercury News ^ | Aug. 18, 2005 | STEVEN THOMMA

[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 ...

[Thrusher]

Bush does nothing to combat rising prices

Damn DNC warmongers! NO BLOOD FOR OIL!



/sarc

[Heartland Mom]

The only people blaming Bush are the Blame-Bush-First club.

I think this same club consists of those who said we went to war in Iraq for the oil!

[Reaganghost]

Democrats make up for their lack of intellect by their brashness. Most Americans can figure out who blocks energy efficiency, production, and exploration. And they can do it in spite of the lamestream media's efforts to brainwash the public.

[luvbach1]

Hmmmm. So liberal environmental extremists' (Rush's whackos) opposition to energy independence: drilling in Alaska reserve, offshore drilling, and nuclear power (I've probably missed some) has nothing to do with our being hostage to high-priced foreign oil? Sadly, this "issue" just might fly with the shallow-minded electorate.

[Fzob]

Actually IMHO the best way to lower oil prices is to build more refining capacity and help reinstall communism in China. (or just nuke-em)

I wonder how the Lib's would feel about that?

[HostileTerritory]

...how dare you show the average American where most of the price of gas goes..

You meant that all but 42 cents of a $2.60 gallon of gas goes to Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iran, or an oil company?

[HostileTerritory]

Plus, when you stop to consider such a move would surely increase demand, it can hardly be called a solution to the problem.

That is an excellent point overlooked by money. We cut gas taxes, consumption goes up, but Venezuela and Saudi Arabia are already pumping all they can, so the price goes back up. We stop paying for our infrastructure and spend even more on Hugo Chavez's highways in Caracas. Smart plan.

I want whatever share of my gas taxes is going to build a suspension bridge to an island with 50 people on it in Alaska, but the rest of it goes to maintain our infrastructure.

[massgopguy]

Let them put their money where their mouth is. When Democrats have the chance to check off on the higher state income tax rate, only about a hundred in the state do.

[HostileTerritory]

I don't understand what you're saying. I mean, I know what you're referring to with our income taxes, but I don't see what that means for the price of gas.

[CyberAnt]

Well .. it's going to be pretty difficult because it's been the democrats who have blocked the President's energy plan since the first year he was in office. Had they helped AMERICA by committing to the energy plan THEN .. we might have seen some relief already.

THIS IS A NO WIN FOR THE DEMS.

[trubluolyguy]

Dems and their enviro wacko supporters are in a large way responsible for the current gasoline prices.

That being said it would be nice to see the strategic oil reserve opened up, and the federal gasoline tax temporarily suspended.

Otherwise the dems are free to point the finger at the Repubs and say, "you aren't doing anything to help."

[AlBondigas]

gotcha, my bad

[trubluolyguy]

"$3.00 gas is not high"


Historically no.


In reality when I am pumping it into my mid size pick up, yeah it's pretty high.

[Political Junkie Too]

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.

I couldn't have said it better.

-PJ

[trubluolyguy]

Holy crap, almost a dollar per gallon in my state is taxes!

[Doogle]

if the federal gov. would "temporarily" ease the tax it would help. If we built a few more refineries it would help..if the dreaded oil companies didn't have to manufacture 40 different "blends" to satisfy 40 different states requirement for "their" type of gas...(oh by the way) am I breaking the law if I purchase a Pennsylvania blend and drive 10 miles to home in Jersey? California has two different blends..north and south..there are ways to reduce the price of gas.


Doogle

[joesnuffy]

Thats funny I thought WE THE PEOPLE were the ones doing THE PAYING....

Democrats have no redeeming qualities...& Republicans are turning chicken shiite

[HostileTerritory]

Holy crap, almost a dollar per gallon in my state is taxes!

No--the chart lists the tax in cents, not percentage.