Dems Perfectly Happy When Gas Prices Soar: High Fuel Costs Mean Better Chance For Donkey Party In November

by Daniel T. Zanoza, Executive Director

 

We all remember stories about the Teflon Don (John Gotti).  But when it comes to the ever-increasing cost of gasoline, the new phrase in the political world should be the Teflon Dems.  Let there be no mistake.  A vast majority of those within the Democratic Party see no downside to the fact the price of oil seems to reach a new high every day.

 

In fact, the more Americans pay for a gallon of gasoline, the bigger the smile on the faces of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.  As long as George Bush is in the White House, everything related to the high price of energy will be blamed on Republicans.  There are a number of reasons for this.  Bush is linked with the oil industry and nothing the Republicans can do will change this public perception of the man from Texas.  The President's recent trip to Saudi Arabia was portrayed as a fruitless hat-in-hand endeavor by the dominant media, even though the Saudi's recently called for OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) to increase oil production.  Also, even though the Democrats control both Houses of Congress, the public still sees Republicans as being in control of the legislative branch of government.  But members of the GOP can take some of the blame for refusing to take a stand on energy-related issues which has helped lead to the unfair image the Party has among average Americans.

 

One of the first things the Minority Party should do is portray the Democrats as the villains in the debate over who is to blame for gasoline prices which now exceed a national average of $4.00 for a gallon of regular gasoline.  Most experts agree more exploration is needed to tap American oil deposits.  But, for some reason, Republicans have failed to place the blame where it belongs when it comes to obstruction regarding a possible step towards energy dependence.

 

Radical environmentalism has made offshore drilling in the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico off-base for U.S. oil companies.  Instead of screaming from the mountain tops regarding this issue and others, like opening up oil reserves in ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge), members of the GOP twiddle their thumbs and remain silent, while public angst grows.

 

It is clear the Democrats want high oil prices to be an issue in the November election.  Republicans also find themselves in a bind because the Party's presumptive presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain, is against some of the remedies which would lessen U.S. dependence on foreign oil.  It's called being between a rock and a hard place.  If Republican members of Congress start screaming about this issue, McCain will either have to come along for the ride or change his position on issues like drilling for oil in Alaska, offshore research and development of oil fields.  Therefore, while other nations drill for oil 50 miles off of American shores, the Democratic-led Congress has the hands of the oil industry tied in the United States.  It's called a perfect storm in a political sense and Republicans find themselves in the midst of it.

 

Meanwhile, Al Gore and his environmental minions are sitting back with Cheshire smiles on their faces that would match the cat who ate the canary.  Radical environmentalists throw a party every time gas prices reach record highs.  Indeed, inflating the price of oil is part of the environmental hand book.  You see, Gore believes when gas reaches $7 or $8 a gallon, it will stop Americans from driving and he's probably right.  The only problem is, those who will have to stop driving will be the elderly, handicapped and poor who can least afford such a drain on their pocket books.  Then, while Gore flies to a meeting in his private jet and soothes his conscience with some quick purchases of carbon credits, the world becomes a perfect place.  Only millionaires, like Gore, will be on the highway.  It would certainly make that trip to the airport on the way to pick up that next Nobel Prize a lot quicker.

 

Somewhere along the line, Republicans are going to have to decide dancing with the Devil won't get them into political Heaven.  There are some 527 organizations that are beginning to shed light on the Democratic conspiracy to keep gas prices as high as possible for as long as possible.  But these groups can't do all the heavy-lifting for John McCain and the Republican members of Congress.

 

Someone is going to have to put this to music.  We need less restrictions on the utilization of oil-rich deposits in America, including shale.  We need to open up Alaska to tap the resources we have there.  America needs to increase its oil refining capacity.  And the beat goes on.  It sounds like an old song, doesn't it?  But sometimes old solutions are good solutions, as long as we have the courage to use them.

 

 

Anyone wishing to receive RFFM.org e-mails should contact Dan@rffm.org

Comments to RFFM.org's blog which include ad hominems or personal attack will automatically be rejected.  No hyperlinks allowed.