Posted on 04/29/2008 8:56:27 AM PDT by Signalman
Here's what the leaders of the congressional Democrats told the American people two years ago to persuade voters to bring them to power:
— "Democrats have a common-sense plan to help bring down skyrocketing gas prices." (Nancy Pelosi, now speaker of the House).
— "Democrats believe that we can do more for the American people who are struggling to deal with high gas prices." (Steny Hoyer, now House majority leader).
— "House Democrats have a plan to help curb rising gas prices." (Jim Clyburn, now House majority whip).
When Pelosi was sworn in as speaker, the national average price for a gallon of regular gas was $2.29. As of Monday, the national average price for a gallon of gas was $3.60 — a record high. In California — where you, I and Speaker Pelosi live — a gallon of regular gas hit an average of $4 a gallon in San Francisco on Sunday, with the rest of the state not far behind.
So much for the Democrats' plan.
Gasoline prices are not, and shouldn't be, a partisan issue. They affect all Americans equally. That's because 98 percent of American transportation is fueled by oil. As transportation costs rise, so do costs for food, furniture, medicines, household supplies, clothing — anything that has to be shipped from one point to another.
Together, Democrats and Republicans need to cut our reliance on foreign oil, through conservation, alternative fuels and tapping domestic sources. The U.S. currently imports more than 56 percent of its oil from foreign countries, such as the volatile Middle East and Venezuela. At the current rate of importation and consumption, the U.S. will rely on the rest of the world for 64 percent of its oil needs in 12 years.
Conservation has an immediate impact, but is only part of the solution. Alternative fuels will take time and even then may not fully replace oil for all our energy needs. Therefore, if we are to reduce our reliance on foreign supplies, we must produce more domestic oil.
Flash back 28 years, when President Carter — a proud Democrat — set aside a small portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for "exploration and development" of oil and natural gas resources. An estimated 10.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil lies beneath its frozen tundra.
It's important to note that ANWR is not the California coast. There is no tourism industry in ANWR, which lies entirely north of the Arctic Circle. Except for the 220 natives living at Kaktovik, who support oil production, ANWR is desolate. That's important to note from a states' rights perspective. If we are to continue the moratorium on oil extraction off the California coast because it's opposed by most Californians, then we should equally take into consideration the views of Alaskans, who overwhelmingly support oil extraction in their state.
We should also note that the 19 million-acre refuge is more than three times the size of Massachusetts, yet fewer than 2,000 acres of the Coastal Plain would be impacted by oil production.
Note, too, that moving oil from Alaska is less risky than shipping it halfway around the world in a rusty Panamanian tanker.
A small impact on a barren piece of Alaska where the people support oil production would have a large impact on our nation's energy supply. Yet, nearly 30 years after a Democratic president opened the area, congressional Democrats are blocking it.
Opening ANWR needs to become part of the energy plan if America is to realize any relief.
In the meantime, another short-term solution would be for California to lower the sales tax on gasoline.
The 6 percent California sales tax on a gallon of gas when Pelosi became House speaker yielded the state about 13 cents per gallon. Today, the state receives more than 21 cents in sales taxes per gallon, a 62 percent windfall in 15 months. I should note that the sales tax is based on the cost of gasoline, plus the added federal and state excise taxes. Basically, the sales tax includes taxes on taxes. Furthermore, Elizabeth Hill, California's legislative analyst, wants to increase California's excise tax by 10 cents and make it a percentage of the cost of gasoline, thereby exponentially increasing the taxation on taxes.
Raising gas taxes is not the way to ease the state's deficit. More likely — because transportation costs affect every aspect of the economy — higher gas taxes will further weaken the economy and worsen the state's deficit.
Instead, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger should cut the sales tax on gasoline while long-term solutions, such as opening ANWR and fully implementing workable alternative energies, are achieved.
Californians shouldn't be gouged by a government that is reaping a windfall on its sales tax or a Congress that won't increase supplies.
— Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley, represents the 24th Congressional District.
Good for Elton! This should be a HUGE PRIORITY right now!
If the GOP were smart, they’d be hitting the jackasses right between the eyes with this...
Remember their “we can do better” BS from the midterm? Well, gas prices sure aren’t better...the stock market isn’t better...there wasn’t a recession two years ago, and there was no talk of food rationing two years ago because of this ethanol craze, which drove up the cost of food, and food staples.
Oh well...such is where we are.
The congress is too stupid to realize what’s needed for a sound energy policy. I wish we could throw them all out and start over with Reps that have a brain.
Closing more oil fields, shutting down more refineries, and mandating new area-specific 'blends' of gasoline.
Libruls iz SMART.
Be nice if we can drill in California, AZ, New Mexico, Texas, WY, Gulf heck, anywhere in OUR country.
Actually the President could sign an executive order and start drilling now. Any over-ride would require a 2/3rd vote by Congress.
He won’t do it.
>>The congress is too stupid to realize what’s needed for a sound energy policy. I wish we could throw them all out and start over with Reps that have a brain.
Good idea, but that assumes politicians (i.e. anyone running for office) HAS a brain. I am convinced that Washingto, DC is a giant brain sucker. Once people go there, they lose common sense and the ability to think.
Isn’t that only about .35% of the daily needs. I don’t see how that could help things, as I’m sure there will be a buyer somewhere for it.
Point out where he says that drilling in ANWR would make the US energy independent.
You can’t. Because he doesn’t.
ANWR is not on State land. Alaska has no say whatsoever, it’s all FedGov. Direct your advice to your Congressmen.
I live in Bush Alaska- gas is $4.69- that’s right now- when the barge comes in it’s expected to got to $6.00 or more- gas is one thing, we only have 8 miles of paved road- but heating oil is going to be a real problem- Gov. Palin, a Republican, with the help of the legislature, raised the tax on the oil companies operating here in Alaska- now the state has a $5 BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS- how much came out of the pockets of Alaskans by raising the tax, I can only guess! Windfall profits by oil companies gets alot of press-not a peep about the windfall dollars generated by taxes on oil!
Why won’t President Bush sign the executive order?
Time for truckers and everyone else who is sick of this to forget the impotents in DC and head to Wall St. Until we make a personal visit to the stock exchange and face off these arrogant speculators, we are stuck. Drilling in ANWR is a great idea, but this market madness is pure speculation.
” [ ANWAR ] - If the GOP were smart, they’d be hitting the jackasses right between the eyes with this...
The GOP nominee is against drilling in ANWAR. He says it’s ‘pristine’ and shouldn’t be destroyed....
You have John McCaine, who wants to represent all of us comparing ANWR to the Grand Canyon.
We are all so screwed!
But... but... but... THEY HAD HEARINGS!!! They did *everything* in their power!
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