Democrat Calls for Public Pressure on

GOP to Change Energy Policy

Saturday, May 10, 2008

• WASHINGTON —  The public must pressure Republicans in the White House and Congress to change directions in the country’s energy policies, which have pushed oil and gas prices to record highs, a Democratic lawmaker said Saturday.

  Sen. Debbie Stabenow said the rising price of oil, fostered by President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney’s close ties to the oil industry, is no longer just a burden.

  “Now it is a crisis for every American family,” the Michigan senator said in the Democrats’ weekly radio address. She called the current energy situation “a crisis that doesn’t just affect us at the pump, but also raises the prices of groceries, increases our home heating bills and squeezes small businesses trying to keep their heads above water.”

  Oil rose above $126 a barrel for the first time Friday and gasoline prices rose above an average $3.67 a gallon at the pump.

  “Republicans want more drilling, more consumption and more tax giveaways for the big oil companies,” she said. “Democrats say that those are exactly the policies that got us into this mess to begin with.”

  She promoted the Democratic proposals for changing energy policy. Those call for:

  — Ending billions of dollars in tax breaks for big oil companies.

  — Forcing the oil companies to do their part by investing some of their profits in clean and affordable alternative energy.

  — Protecting the American people from price gougers and greedy oil traders who manipulate the market.

  — Temporarily stopping the diversion of oil to the national Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which is already 97 percent full.

  — Standing up to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil-producing nations that are working together to keep oil prices high.

  “This fight won’t be easy,” Stabenow said, urging the public to pressure the GOP. “The President and his oil buddies have gotten used to the spoils of plunder, and they won’t give up without a fight.”

  Republican National Committee spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson said, “The Democrats clearly don’t understand the economy and the devastating burden that their proposed tax increases would impose on families and businesses across America.”

  Lee ADDS: The absolute gall of these Democrats is appalling! Stop the “Tax Breaks for big oil,” Sure and lwet them pass on their losses as they ass to the prices of gasoline! “Stop prices gouging for fuel,” this was a PROMISE made by Democrats to win the last election! Well, where is your Legislation?

  “Stop placing oil in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.” It’s 97 percent full! How will that reduce prices? And, “Deal with OPEC.” If offshore oil, Alaskan oil, nuclear enercy Plants and Wind power plants has not been BLOCKED by DEMOCRATS for 28 YEARS, we would have the UPPER HAND on OPEC and they would NEVER HAVE RAISED OIL PRICES in the first place. 

  These Democrats take their failings and try to blame the Republican Party for them. This is not only wrongheaded but it borders on a criminal activity! Perhaps the Party of the Democrats can be charged under the RICO Act! Their actions are certainly furtherance of a CRIMINAL ACTIVITY! Wholesale robbery of the American Public solely to remain in office!

  The RINGLEADERS are: Obama, Kennedy, Reid, Clinton, Durbin, Oelosi, Murtha, Sha rpton, Schurmer, Boxer, Byrd, and a few others. If they are ALL voted out of office and replaced with men and women possessed with ‘common sense’ we will get out of this mess  caused by their GREED for POWER of Political Office!