Posted on 08/02/2008 7:44:35 AM PDT by don-o
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This weekend marks the beginning of August, the month when many Americans take their summer vacation. This year, however, the high price of gas is taking a toll on summer travelers. Congress is now taking a month-long recess of its own. Unfortunately, Democratic leaders are leaving town without taking any action to ease the burden of high gas prices on families across America.
The fundamental source of high gas prices is the fact that supply is not keeping pace with demand. To reduce pressure on prices, we need to increase the supply of oil, especially oil produced here at home. So in June, I called on Congress to lift the legislative ban that prevents offshore exploration of parts of the Outer Continental Shelf, or OCS. But the leaders of the Democratic Congress have refused to allow a vote.
Lifting the ban on this offshore exploration would benefit our economy in two important ways.
First, lifting the ban would allow our Nation to take advantage of a large and reliable source of domestic oil. Experts believe that these restricted areas could eventually produce about 18 billion barrels of oil. That's almost 10 years worth of America's current oil production.
Second, lifting the ban would create new opportunities for American workers and businesses. On Tuesday, I visited the Lincoln Electric Company in Cleveland, Ohio, a business that produces welding products used for offshore exploration. If Congress were to permit this exploration, it would mean new jobs at businesses like Lincoln Electric. American drivers are counting on Congress to lift the ban on offshore exploration, and so are American workers.
Bringing these resources online will take time, and that means that the need for congressional action is urgent. I've lifted the executive restrictions on offshore exploration. This means that the only thing now standing between the American people and these vast oil resources is the United States Congress. The sooner Congress lifts the ban, the sooner we can get this oil from beneath the ocean floor to your gas tank.
We also need to take other essential steps to strengthen domestic oil production. Congress needs to pass legislation that allows us to tap the extraordinary potential of oil shale, permits exploration in currently restricted areas of northern Alaska, and enables the expansion of America's domestic refining capacity.
It appears that the leaders of the Democratically-controlled Congress will let the entire summer pass without voting on any of these vital steps to help reduce pressure on gas prices. This failure to act is unacceptable to me and unacceptable to the American people. So when they return from their summer break, Democratic leaders should show that they've heard the frustration of the American people by allowing a vote on offshore exploration. If Congress does not act, they will owe families across America an explanation for why they're ignoring their concerns.
I know that high energy prices are making this a difficult time for many of our citizens, but it is important to remember that these high prices were not inevitable. They are partially the result of policy choices that have been made over the years by the United States Congress. Now Congress has an opportunity to begin reversing that damage. By opening up new resources at home we can help bring energy costs down. And that will help ensure that our economy remains the strongest, most vibrant, and most hopeful in the world.
Thank you for listening.
I already have Chuck Baldwin Yard signs in my front yard and bumper stickers on my cars.
I’ll get some stickers but my yard is back in the boonies.If not for the driveway you’d never see the house LOL. About three families live on the dead end road :>} BTW interesting observation. During the Tennessee primary season I saw no yard signs out but Ron Paul ones. I live in the eastern part of the state. If some don’t think conservatives are getting fed up one of our real Conservative Republican congresscritters here was approached by the Constitution Party to run for POTUS this time. He has been one of Bush’s critics on some major issues too.
What kind of Sour puss are you?
This is great.
Keep San Fran Nan from enjoying her vacation...
as if she actually represents Human Beings.
That’s impossible. Reid kept the Senate alive so there could not be any recess appts.
Bush did not appoint McQueeg, Neither did we.
The Media did.
As the man at the Gas Station said to me today..
“better you vote with the Devil that you know than the one that you don’t know”.
I am not sure that I can vote for McQueeg but the BDS Liberal in the Prius who filibustered our Conversation sure pissed me off!!
Johnny was the party anointed likely as far back as two years ago. Of those running he was the one most close to Bush on policy. But the media tried to get in the way by pushing Rudy. Yes even a certain so called conservative talking head was pushing him. The party controllers got nervous. How could they distract voters from Rudy {far left} and not hurt McCain's {not quite as liberal as Rudy} chances?
In steps Hollywood. A man running with about as much enthusiasm for being elected as Jed Clampett's dog Duke for chasing a car. The public buys into the distraction just long enough for Rudy's numbers go down. The media in the mean time goes on attack mode on the three Conservatives actually running which were Paul, Hunter, and Tancredo.
Hollywood steps out after Rudy's numbers hit the basement and who's left standing? Now I wonder who's idea it was for Hollywood to run to begin with?
Bush did not appoint McQueeg, Neither did we. The Media did.
Yes, I figured that out reading all of the knowledgable posts on Free Republic. Very disappointed.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.