Over the 4th of July holiday, I, like many of my colleagues, was able to speak with hundreds of constituents. Folks were more eager than ever to talk to me about unaffordable energy prices. And when they asked what Washington is doing to address this issue, unfortunately, I had to tell them nothing. But not because of a lack of Republican will.
Despite Democrat promises of ‘common sense’ plans to lower gas prices, the average price of a gallon of gas has increased by more than 76 percent since they took control of Congress.
Read More of Energy Independence: A Question of Will off-site...Kelly Knight says:
According to http://www.knoyd.com ("Drill and Mine US Oil--Buy and Refine US Oil!, copyright 2008),
US Energy Independence and Security comes from a three-fold mission:
The United States of America…
1. …has a divine destiny to defend democracy in every nation that currently embraces democracy, and promote democratic principles where tyranny and dictatorship runs supreme. This cannot be accomplished while the US is beholden to the very tyrants against whom it fights.
2. …has energy, whether from oil, bio-mass, coal, or nuclear power, as the life-blood of the US economy. The effects of skyrocketing fuel cost have a direct impact on the affordability of food, clothing, and shelter for every citizen, rich or poor. We must bring down the price of energy without further delay.
3. …energy policy plays a vital role in the creation of thousands and thousands of jobs. The oil shale fields alone can produce enough oil to replace our current imports and do so for 240 years. This is a minimum of 5 generations of employment for families in CO, UT, and WY. We have 250 years of coal supplies that can be converted to liquid fuel, and produce thousands of jobs.
It is time for liberal politicians to severe ties with fascist, economy-wrecking, pseudo-environmental groups and begin to do what is in the best interest of the whole of the citizens of the United States. It is time for conservative politicians to stand and make a very vocal demand for energy independence and security. And it is time for every citizen to follow in the footsteps of Patrick Henry and declare that “Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.” (Patrick Henry, 1775, House of Burgesses)
John Powers says:
I'll pose the question to Rep. Roskam Do you propose cutting off imports of Canadian Oil? Mexican Oil? Costa Rica Ethanol?
Oil is one of the most fundamental products of world markets. It is a nice thought that we could produce more energy in the US, but if it costs more to produce here than it does in Norway, for example, the Norwegian producer makes more money than the coal-to-gas operation in Mascoutah (Illinois).
JBP