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 ...
And I don't see Dems offering to lower gas taxes...
Dems oppose domeestic production.
Dems put ANWAR off limits.
Dems (Clinton) raised gas taxes.
Dems are just looking for their next big lie.
Well you gotta admit, it makes sense to attack W for this. If the shoe were on the other foot we'd be doing the same. That being said, we need to drill ANWR, build nuclear plants, etc, etc....
This is exactly what the republicans should be beating over the heads of the democraps, but when is the last time you heard them say this? The Republicans need to stand up and be heard!
While we haven't built a refinery in almost 30 years, we have expanded capaciry at existing refineries. In fact, capacity today with 149 refineries is higher than in 1976 when there were 276.
The current 16.9 billion bbd capacity is higher than at any point in almost 25 years. The peak capacity year was 1981 at 18.6bbd. Much of the decline in U.S. refining capacity resulted from the 1981 deregulation (elimination of price controls and allocations), which effectively removed the major prop from underneath many marginally profitable, often smaller, refineries.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/pdf/pages/sec5_21.pdf
In addition to environmental regulations that may be prohibiting the building of new refineries, you also have to consider that the existing environment is working out pretty well for the potential builders of those refineries, the oil companies. With those companies making record profits, there is likely little incentive to take a risk by adding new capacity.
My favorite whiners are the idiots complaining about the cost of gas, while they drink bottled water!
But don't expect anyone in the media to ever really say that. The media will show people suffering and dying by the dumpster load, or should I say SUV load, due to the horrible suffering caused by this terrible disaster of high gas prices.
Even Freepers, who should be a little immune to media manipulation are buying it hook line and sinker. The more that conservatives whine and cry foul about 3.00 gas, the better it will be for the Dems in 08.
It's all basic economics. When the envirowackos stop oil exploration, drilling and refining, guess what happens to the SUPPLY in the market? When that SUPPLY is limited, but DEMAND continually increases, PRICES go up.
Well, it doesn't help that they spent the transportation trust fund. While it's easy to blame McGreedy for taxes like Florio before him, I also blame Kean and Whitman who let spending get so out of control during booming economies.
Gee, gas too expensive? I know how to reduce the price by a nationwide average of 42%...
State
State
ExciseOther State
TaxesTotal State
TaxesTotal Federal &
State Taxes
Alabama
16
5
21
39.4
Alaska
8
8
26.4
Arizona
18
1
19
37.4
Arkansas
21.5
0.2
21.7
40.1
California
18
14
32
50.4
Colorado
22
22
40.4
Connecticut
25
4.7
29.7
48.1
Delaware
23
23
41.4
Dist. of Columbia
20
20
38.4
Florida
13.6
16
29.6
48
Georgia
7.5
4.7
12.2
30.6
Hawaii
16
19.1
35.1
53.5
Idaho
25
25
43.4
Illinois
19
11
30
48.4
Indiana
15
3.1
18.1
36.5
Iowa
20.1
1
21.1
39.5
Kansas
23
1
24
42.4
Kentucky
15
6.4
21.4
39.8
Louisiana
20
20
38.4
Maine
22
1.5
23.5
41.9
Maryland
23.5
23.5
41.9
Massachusetts
21
0.5
21.5
39.9
Michigan
19
7.2
26.2
44.6
Minnesota
20
20
38.4
Mississippi
18
0.8
18.8
37.2
Missouri
17
17
35.4
Montana
27
0.8
27.8
46.2
Nebraska
24.5
0.9
25.4
43.8
Nevada
23
10.3
33.3
51.7
New Hampshire
18
2.6
20.6
39
New Jersey
10.5
4
14.5
32.9
New Mexico
17
1
18
36.4
New York
8
22.3
30.3
48.7
North Carolina
22.1
0.3
22.4
40.8
North Dakota
21
21
39.4
Ohio
22
22
40.4
Oklahoma
16
1
17
35.4
Oregon
24
24
42.4
Pennsylvania
12
14.7
26.7
45.1
Rhode Island
27
4
31
49.4
South Carolina
16
0.8
16.8
35.2
South Dakota
22
2
24
42.4
Tennessee
20
1.4
21.4
39.8
Texas
20
20
38.4
Utah
24.5
24.5
42.9
Vermont
19
1
20
38.4
Virginia
17.5
1.4
18.9
37.3
Washington
23
23
41.4
West Virginia
20.5
4.9
25.4
43.8
Wisconsin
28.1
3
31.1
49.5
Wyoming
13
1
14
32.4
U.S. Average
17.9
5.7
23.6
42
Owl_Eagle
(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
What you say is no doubt true, but people have an irrational tendency to credit those in charge when things are good, even if they don't deserve it, and to blame them when things go wrong, even if they aren't to blame.
If the GOP does lose seats in the House, and especially the Senate, then we can probably kiss goodbye any chance for significant tax reform before Bush leaves office, and of Bush naming a clear Scalia/Thomas type to the Court if he gets a pick after Nov 2006.
Farmer John finds more and more hens missing from his hen house. His "obvious" solution (since he's a Dummycrat) -- well of course, put more foxes in the hen house!!
Gee, gas too expensive? I know how to reduce the price by a nationwide average of 42%...
Sure, but how are you going to pay for the roads that you drive on with that cheaper gas?
What I want to know is, what should the price of gas be?
This is good strategy for the dems though, people mostly vote their pocketbook. Still they will lose seats in the next election...if its pocketbook vs moonbats...most americans will vote against the moonbats and take the hit to the wallet.
I think Dem's should do their part and start walking, sell that imperialist car comrade!
Mother nature commands you!
Bumper sticker: Have you hugged a tree today?
As much as I hate to say it, this article is extremely accurate. The Rats played the role perfectly. Pass the energy bill and avoid being the spoiler. When prices fail to lower, the Rats can take the high road and make all the claims against the Republicans they want. There is still probably 50% of the people that vote with their pocketbooks but doesn't research who or what is to really blame for some issues in relations to the economy.
They have been
But hey .. if the Dems want to yell louder about drilling on AWAR .. GO FOR IT!
Which party blocked drilling in ANWR.
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