Posted on 06/24/2008 12:30:29 PM PDT by Tolik
This week I want to do something a little different.
Although my Winning the Future message has always been directed at all Americans, whether they consider themselves Republicans, Democrats, or independents, today I am directing my message specifically to Democrats. And my message is this:
The American people have spoken. Are your leaders listening?
We really had no idea, just 35 days ago when we first posted the "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less" petition here, that we would provide the spark that has ignited a fire among frustrated, struggling Americans.
In just 35 days, over 1.1 million Americans have signed the petition. Seven hundred and fifty thousand signed in just three weeks. Almost 100,000 signed up in a single day.
Americans of all political parties have signed the "Drill Here, Drill Now" petition. Here's what they're saying:
The 1.1 million Americans who have signed the petition are appealing to Congress to allow environmentally responsible ways to produce more energy here, at home.
They're not calling for higher taxes on oil companies.
They're not blaming foreigners for our energy problems.
They're not begging the Saudis to sell us more oil.
And so my message to the party that controls Congress is this:
The American people have spoken. Are you listening?
Through our polling at American Solutions we have long known that a whopping 81 percent of Americans support developing more domestic energy, including oil and coal. And this 81 percent majority is made up of 85 percent of the Republicans, 83 percent of the independents and 76 percent of the Democrats surveyed.
Now we have even more data showing widespread support for increasing domestic energy production.
A new Rasmussen Poll has revealed that a full 67 percent of Americans support offshore drilling.
What is the party breakdown behind these numbers? The supporters were 85 percent Republican, 57 percent Democrat and 60 percent unaffiliated voters.
Moreover, a new Zogby poll shows that 74 percent of Americans support drilling offshore for our American oil. The supporters were 90 percent Republican, 58 percent Democrat, and 75 percent independent voters. A related survey by Zogby also shows that 59 percent of Americans support drilling in ANWR.
In other words, the American people have spoken. Are you listening Democrats?
As usual, the American people know intuitively what Washington just doesn't understand: You don't have to be a Republican to be struggling to put gas in your car. Democratic and independent families, commuters and small business owners are hurting too.
So why haven't Democrats in Congress responded? Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R.-Ga.) is circulating a petition challenging his House colleagues to pledge to ''vote to increase U.S. oil production to lower gas prices for Americans.'' As of this writing, 175 members of Congress have signed.
Only one, Neal Abercrombie of Hawaii, is a Democrat.
Perhaps some Democrats have been reluctant to sign on because of two popular talking points making the rounds.
These opponents say that oil and gas companies already hold 68 million acres of federal land (offshore and land combined) that they are not using to produce oil and gas. They also say it would take 10 years before any of that oil makes it into our gas tanks.
Just this weekend on Meet the Press, Sen. Joe Biden (D.-Del.) said, "They [the oil companies] have now leased 41 million acres of offshore leases. They're only pumping in 10.2 million of those acres. . . . And John [McCain] says they need more? And it would take 10 years for it to come online."
There are a number of problems with these arguments.
First, when federal waters or lands are leased to energy companies, the first step is to explore for oil - in other words, look for it. Most of the acres leased for oil end up being determined to not hold enough oil or gas to make it profitable for energy companies to actually extract it. So the vast majority of those 68 million acres are not being used for a simple reason: they're currently unusable.
Given this fact, it's obvious that citing the amount of currently unused leased land is a ruse. It allows opponents of using American oil to seem as if they actually support it, when in truth they only support more drilling in areas where there is not enough oil to make it worthwhile to drill. In other words, they actually don't support using our American oil to lower gas prices.
Either it is a ruse, or it is a testament to the profound arrogance of the Washington elite that they believe they understand the business of oil production better than American oil companies.
Lastly, even if we were to accept the estimate of 10 years to get American oil into our gas tank (if America made it a priority to quickly extract our oil I'm confident we could find a way to speed up the process), there is good reason to believe the short-term affect on oil prices would be significant.
While estimates range on the degree to which oil futures trading is affecting the price of oil, there is broad consensus that it is playing a role. The very act of opening America's vast oil deposits for extraction would send an immediate signal to speculators that supply will be increased, and that betting on higher prices for oil is no longer a safe investment. Prices will fall as a result.
Also, beginning the process of drilling for our American oil would allow us the freedom to empty part of the strategic oil reserve into the market on the promise it will be replenished by these future American sources. This immediate increase in the supply of oil would cause a decrease in price.
Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, if your leaders aren't listening to the clear, expressed will of the people then you have it in your power to change this, to send the message to Washington that this July 4th will be unlike other July 4ths.
This Independence Day we declare our energy independence. And we give our elected officials this choice:
Either take action to drill here and drill now for American oil or the American people will take action this fall.
Here's what you can do:
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If your Representative hasn't signed the Westmoreland petition, contact him or her here and make your voice heard. |
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If you haven't signed the "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less" petition, click here and do so today. Our goal is to have three million signatures in time for the Republican and Democratic national conventions. |
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When your House member is back in the district for the Fourth of July holiday, take the opportunity to personally let him or her know that Americans don't need to be suffering under $4-plus gas and that he has a responsibility to do something about it. |
One of the solutions we've proposed at American Solutions for reducing our dependence on foreign oil and producing more American energy is offering prizes for innovative answers to our energy needs.
When you think about it, prizes are the essence of the American way. Rather than bloated, bureaucratic government programs that are black holes for tax dollars, prizes unleash the creative, entrepreneurial spirit that built this country.
That's why I am so pleased to see that Sen. John McCain has proposed a $300 million prize for the individual who can develop a "super" car battery that can power cars more cheaply and with less harm to the environment.
Congratulations to Sen. McCain for his faith in the ingenuity of the American people. Sen. Obama should join him in passing legislation to create this prize now. This is an idea whose time has come.
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Sounds like coal. Oil sure isn't it. Mine that coal and build those coal to liquid plants. And, put in the order for steel now because there is a shortage and you will need a hugh amount of steel.
Wow! Looks like Newt finally decided to get up off Nancy’s couch. Must not have liked the public’s reaction to him pushing a leftist agenda.
Let’s use MSM (propaganda) techniques and call Rep, Westmoreland’s pledge a BIPARTISAN pledge.
LOL
“First, when federal waters or lands are leased to energy companies, the first step is to explore for oil - in other words, look for it. Most of the acres leased for oil end up being determined to not hold enough oil or gas to make it PROFITABLE FOR ENERGY COMPANIES TO ACTUALLY EXTRACT IT. So the vast majority of those 68 million acres are not being used for a simple reason: they’re currently unusable.
Given this fact, it’s obvious that citing the amount of currently unused leased land is a ruse. It allows opponents of using American oil to seem as if they actually support it, when in truth they only support more drilling in areas where there is not enough oil to make it worthwhile to drill. In other words, they actually don’t support using our American oil to lower gas prices.
Either it is a ruse, or it is a testament to the profound arrogance of the Washington elite that they believe they understand the business of oil production better than American oil companies.”
There’s that horrible word in the text above once again: “Profit”. The Socialist/Democrats have already stated their desire to “Nationalize” our Oil Companies. Is their goal to make the words “Profit”, and “Free Market” synonymous with such a dirty word as “Capitalism”?
Of course.
I happen to like Newt. I wish he would return to politics. He is intelligent and very articulate. Sadly, though, much of the republican party has left him. They are definitely not the the same party when he was in. It is a different beast nowadays.
Perfect!
Bravo to Newt for getting his foot in the door of the energy discussion. Our oil, and our future, is no longer the exclusive property of the green movement. Newt did a great thing with that commercial!
I truly prefer a “do nothing Congress” if the only alternative is the passing of very bad legislation. The next Congress will probably be even worse than the present Congress, because there will probably be even less conservatives in the next Congress than in the present Congress!
Granting a false premise, just so you can have a say on how to solve a non-existent problem, doesn't make much sense. Pat Robertson is a whack job who few take seriously anymore, but Newt should have known better.
Not to hijack this thread, but I have a question...
I realize that under the current political shadow, drilling our own oil is unlikely and an uphill battle without wheels or propulsion... and building/expanding new refineries are even more difficult to achieve. BUT...
Lets say that more states tell the feds and the environmental wack-jobs to go pound sand, and say we as a country decided to get and use our own oil, and to refine it as well...
How long would it take to actually build some new refineries from scratch if major resources were put into place to get it done. And lets assume that the bulk of the obstructive regulations were lifted (or ignored) to get it done - so basically there are no major obstacles - how long would it take to actually build one (or more)?
And second - assuming that the new refineries are built relatively close to the new wells - how quickly could oil flow, and gas be made if the obstacles were lifted?
I have heard 8-10 years if they opened ANWR today... but I assume that a large portion of the time would be permitting and other environmental impact studies, regulation, and other major hurdles. The Hyperion project in South Dakota, while having leapt over the first hurdle (a vote by the people), they still fact local, state, and federal regulations and permitting - and they have a tentative groundbreaking in 2010...
PLEASE keep Government out of the energy solution.
We’d have cured cancer by now if Johnson hadn’t
decided to throw Government money into “research”.
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If you liberals keep gettin’ your way, we’re all
gonna hear one big loud flush. The sound of the
U.S. of A. goin’ straight down the toilet.
-—ARCHIE BUNKER-—
[... How long would it take to actually build some new refineries...?]
An engineer on another thread said 18 to 24 months to get the oil flowing and refining here, IF the government gets out of the way.
It would take 10 years to reach the pump if Congress did it.
Pray for W and Our Troops
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