Posted on 05/04/2008 4:24:50 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO. -- President Bush on Friday defended his emphasis on ethanol to help the nation meet its energy needs even though increased production of the corn-based biofuel has been blamed for contributing to sharp increases in food prices.
"As you know, I'm a ethanol person," he said, explaining his belief that it can help reduce U.S. dependence on oil. "It makes sense for America to be growing energy."
--snip--
On the day the government announced the loss of 20,000 payroll jobs in April, Bush said he recognized the nation was in a difficult period, "but this economy is going to come on."
He also chastised Congress for blocking his initiatives, including a stalled free trade agreement with Colombia, his plan to open Alaska lands and coastal waters to oil and gas exploration, and his proposal to overhaul the government's mortgage program.
He also shifted into a reflective mien, saying to a worker in Dallas with whom he was conversing in a demonstration of a videoconferencing system: "Tell everybody down there, in about 10 months, I'm coming home."
With that end of his administration in sight, the president's remarks brought into focus the flaring issues he faces: the economy, energy costs and, now, food prices.
The president for several years has been promoting the use of ethanol -- which is largely made from corn -- to alleviate the nation's shortage of domestically produced energy.
Critics have focused on the new demand for corn as a factor in driving up food prices.
Bush acknowledged that ethanol has contributed to higher food prices, but said it was not the main reason. He also listed increased energy costs, which affect transportation and fertilizer prices; drought and other weather-related problems; and increased demand stemming from greater prosperity in once-poor nations. ...
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Of course. The taxpayers buy his cornflakes.
"I have me a sip or two every evenin' just before Laura and I retire for some South Texas Slap and Tickle."
to think that I voted for this moron twice...what does that say about me. (I expect incoming, and deserve it.)
voted twice for him, now I am the idiot.
I’d sooner go on gasoline rationing than loose beer.
If only that were true. In reality, he's an extremely slick operator with a very effective "awe shucks" camouflage persona who has managed to snooker the American people long enough to ram through what history will one day show to have been a monumentally devastating to the country agenda for those he serves.
As to the comment that he's a nice guy, consider this: "What was George W. Bush's job or role in his father George H.W. Bush's administration?".
* Cease all ethanol production. It requires more energy to make than it yields and the unintended consequence is higher food costs. Corn production shifted from feed-corn to subsidized corn for ethanol. Just say "no" to ethanol!
* Immediately create only ONE "blend" of gasoline and cease regional blends which are stupid, costly, and meaningless. Even if this is the "cleanest" blend, just make it ONE and be done with it. Trucking custom blends around the country is wasteful.
* Drill for oil in Alaska, Gulf of Mexico, and other sites in the CONUS as a matter of national security.
* Construct state-of-the-art refineries and/or retrofit current and dormant ones and crank up production.
* Make all “carbon credit” scams unlawful.
* Construct SEVERAL, regional Pebble-Bed Reactors (or other similar designs) that are not considered "breeders", are rechargeable, and cleaner than any current nuclear generator design.
* Use the residual heat from the reactor above to process motor fuel from coal and/or shale. Even though Clinton "stole" some of the best coal reserves, we still have a lot to use.
* Have Iraq pay for its freedom, and maybe even pay us back for their freedom. We'll still need their oil.
* Bust up the cartels or at least be independent enough to make the cartels inconsequential.
* Convince local taxing bodies to lift or fix the sales tax on gasoline so that as gas prices go up, the local tax collectors don’t see a windfall revenue jump at the expense of the consumer.
Well, it’s certainly possible. I think Bush certainly knows what he’s doing when he continues clinton’s China trade policy, which is devastating to our economy.
But he still has a political tin ear. It’s possible to make a lot of money or a lot of deals and get political credit for it. Or it’s possible to constantly catch flak for doing it.
Bush has a real aptitude for catching flak. Contrast it with LBJ, who did more damage to the economy than anyone since Roosevelt, but was actually loved for it, until he got on the wrong side of the Vietnam peaceniks.
Perhaps so. I certainly understand why you would see it that way. I used to feel the same way myself, but after watching him for years now I've come to believe that a lot of what you perceive as a tin ear is simply arrogance. In any event, whatever we choose to call it, this character flaw of his has caused immense damage to the country.
Go to Whitehouse.gov and search the White House positions on topics.
Surely you jest! Actually research what the man stands for? LOL! They prefer to continue spewing the RNC/DNC/Enemedia talking points!
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