Republicans are the best thing to happen to Big Oil. 60 million acres in the continental US that have not been exploited are not enough. Big Oil wants us to promise them even more land- land that is so ecologically sensitive, we may upset some of the world’s most unique and biodiverse ecosystems.
60 million acres. And yet, it has only been mentioned in the media a few times. What is getting the press? Republicans calling Congress to come back to session and approve off-shore drilling so that in 2020 we can finally see gas prices fall.
Let’s look at a few points: Since the announcement of possible drilling for oil in the US gas prices have fallen-what was it? 15 dollars a barrel? The right wing directly credits this drop to the President and McCain’s support of opening off-shore and ANWR drilling.
However, what does not get as much media coverage is the fact that right before this announcement, Saudi Arabia agreed to up their production by 10 million barrels per day. Also, Congress was threatening a windfall tax on companies like Exxon, who made record profits while Americans suffered. Speculators were also reined in and have not been making their self-fulfilling estimates to stir the market.
Another huge reason the gas prices fell is the simple, basic economic principle of supply and demand. The amount of people on the road in May 2008 was 11% lower than that of 2007. Even Independence Day saw a huge dip in people traveling for the holiday. Let’s see what Labor Day looks like if gas prices are still at $4 a gallon.
With all these factors, attributing the fall in price per barrel to the psychological effect created by the prospect of drilling for oil we won’t see for 10 years seems a bit silly, don’t you think? And yet, the Republicans in Congress continue on with their dog-and-pony show, getting all the media hype for doing nothing.
Let’s look at another fact: We are going to have to invest money in energy, period. Whether we decide to rape ANWR or not, there is going to be a price tag. Why bandage the problem with more drilling? McCain and company would have you believe that our energy crisis is caused by our dependence on foreign oil. Democrats and many economists know that this is not the case.
The truth that McCain and Bush don’t want you to hear is that the problem is caused by our dependence on oil, period, no matter where it comes from. Why not spend as much money and time on building an alternative energy market as we would on bandaging the problem while destroying our national geographical treasures? Good luck trying to argue otherwise. If you are Republican and you are supporting McCain still on the issues, it is because of misinformation and blind allegiance to the principles of neo-conservatism, not any kind of common sense or investigation of the issues. You have the facts, they have been reported to the media, however briefly, and you have no more leg to stand on. Again, good luck.
