House Energy Hoax

Congress has perfected the unique ability to look like they're saying "yes" when in reality they are saying "no". The passage of this latest Energy Bill is a perfect example of the Democratically-controlled House trying to appear like it supports off-shore oil drilling when in reality it puts our own natural resources even further out of reach.

Nearly 90% of our off-shore resources are within 50 miles of our shores. But this bill would make that permanently off limits, allowing companies to only tap the more accessibly difficult reserves beyond the 50 mile mark. It would also keep adjacent states from sharing in the royalties from drilling which automatically makes those states less inclined to allow the work to take place.

And among its other many stupid and feckless provisions, it would open our Strategic Petroleum Reserve with the incorrect notion that it will help drive down prices. Wrong. The Reserve has less than 2 months worth of national supply and will be ineffective in denting the cost of gas at the pump.

So again, Pelosi and Company are busy playing politics with national security, because when it comes down to it, that's what the debate about energy really is. And in order to win an election, they would rather give the appearance of trying to help eliminate our dependence upon foreign oil than actually do anything about it.

An effective energy plan must consist of a bridge between alternative sources and current ones. So America, to be secure, must be allowed to tap its own resources. Oil developers must not be held captive to drilling on already leased areas because they know those areas have nothing to be found. Environmental restrictions must be eased in the name of national security because they cause years of delay in building new derricks and refineries, plus they limit the capacity of the refineries by demanding unnecessary multiple blends of gasoline. And states must be allowed to share in the royalty revenue.

The American people basically get it, but don't look for Congress to do a darn thing about it. They don't want to. The only hope for getting out of the mess is to have an Executive Branch and a vocal Congressional minority with the fortitude to make the case to the American people by going over the heads of the Congress. One that can break through the fog of a liberal media that also is dead set against the idea. Because as long as the Democratic Party is in control of both houses of Congress, getting off of foreign oil ain't happenin' any time soon.