Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Nation & World

Washington Whispers by Paul Bedard

Capitol Hill Issue 1: Gas Prices

July 03, 2008 03:23 PM ET | Paul Bedard | Permanent Link | Print

When the Congress returns after the July 4 holiday, House and Senate Republicans plan to pounce on the energy and gasoline price issue, pushing Democrats to join in calling for more oil drilling. "That's all you're going to hear about next week," said a top Senate GOP aide. "People want something done about this." Republican officials tell us that their members are getting an earful from constituents back home and that many who used to oppose drilling in ocean waters or Alaska are now open to it.

Polls also show that trend. When Congress returns, the GOP will push its Gas Price Reduction Act to expand supplies, fund development of electric cars, limit oil speculation, and even study drawing oil from shale. The GOP officials said that the addition of targeting oil speculators and pushing for electric cars is a "tip of the hat to the Democrats" who are focused on conservation and punishing speculators. Also look for the Republicans to portray opposition from Democratic leaders to their plan as radicals. They will most likely cite comments this week from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who said on Fox Business Network, "Coal makes us sick. Oil makes us sick. It's global warming. It's ruining our country. It's ruining our world." Said the Senate aide, "With $4 gas and rising, people just don't think like that anymore."

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Reader Comments

Economy

Haven't you figured it out yet. You can yell scream complain and write all you want it will do no good. Our gov't has us right where they want us. We allowed this to happen. Look at the entertainment industry we are addicted to and especially our children and grand children. Do you think actors and football stars are crying because of gas. I think not. Yet I bet everyone of you complaining will no doubt watch football this season and may even go to a game. Yee they got us. It is a catch 22. We are brain washed, addicted to everything from music to cigarettes all because our gov't made it possible. Now all these folks selling this stuff are in the top %5 of the pryamid and where are the hard working citizens paying all the taxes, writing this crap that is not going to do a bit of good. What about all the business now owned by none other than foreigners. America is not America anymore when you look on a box of cereal and it takes you 30 minutes to find the english language and yes we sat right back and let em do it. NOw look not a damn thing any of us can do about it. NOt until someone figures out how to bring the American people together I am talking about the English speaking born and raised in USA together nothing will happen cause we will just sit back and wait just like always.

On gas

To the person that wrote above me. I agree with you 100%, but you made one mistake. The Constitution says life liberty and the pursuit of property, not life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But still, I agree that $4 gas is not good.

Economy is the number one thing on the agenda. I expect some good bills introduced to reduce the price of oil. I would love to see gas down to $2.50 again.

Gas Prices

It is absolutely necessary for the members of congress, the people we elected, to do their duty that the constiution itself has declared. No person will be denied life liberty or the pursuit of happiness. Let me be frank: The American People Are NOT HAPPY!! These gas prices are literally destroying this country's economy. What is expected out of the public? To return the days of the horse and buggy? This is not happiness, This is nothing but a blantant disregard for the public by our elected officials who appear more concerned with themselves. (Not just Bush, but the entire congress, yes, you know who you are and you know that you are guilty. You didn't go to Harvard or Princeton for nothing. You know what you are doing to the people who elected you.) All I can say is that the elected government of this country. I remember the days when gas prices were 1 dollar a gallon. I remember the days when the American public was generally happy and enjoyed the year all round. All senators, Democrats and Republicans alike, need to put aside their differences and work to better this country, the best country in the world. I still believe it is, but what does it say when the best country in the world is now facing economics that hinder its success because the government appears to do nothing about it. We elected you because we thought you were the best person for the job. PROVE IT!!! So far I have seen nothing but corruption and criminal acts from the people we call our leaders. That is not what we elected you for! We elected you to do a job. You appear not to be doing that. Either do your job or we will find someone else who will. Remember, there are more of the public than those of the elected officials. Take that statement as you will. When people get sick and tired of something, they do away with it. That is not a threat, that is a warning. We are tired of this B.S. Question: Why do we depend on people to provide us with fuel who clearly hate us? Why do we do what they say? We can put them out of business. Do you realize this? So why don't we? Because of the corruption and payoffs that you elected officials are more worried about collecting than doing your job. It is amazing to think that the older generation are now in fear that we are in for a second depression. Is this, elected officials, what you really want for this country. Do the right thing for once since you took the job you now have. The right thing for this country, not for yourselves. No political games, no lies, no cheating, just do your job. Make me proud to be in this country again. Because this new country we have, is total crap, and you need to fix it. That is your job! That is what you are supposed to do! DO IT! Listen to the people, not just the ones who line your pockets with money!

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