Thoughts of a Feebled Mind* -- Republican Plight

Republicans are in the wilderness because -- as their standard bearer this year demonstrated -- they began to believe that the government could actually solve all of our ills.

Everyday Republicans are still here waiting for a return to sanity.
DKK

* Random thoughts from the past few weeks that made it to the "draft" section but never made it to a post because of the downward swing in my health.

Republican Congress Delegation Goes To ANWR -- Finds Nothing, Because There Is Nothing There

(O)ff to ANWR with several House colleagues. Their trip is intended to draw attention to ANWR as an ideal place to drill for oil. Michele writes:

Let’s be clear about this. The Coastal Plain of ANWR, also known as the 1002 Area, is neither wilderness nor refuge. It was set aside by Congress and President Carter in 1980 for future oil development. Development would be limited to 2000 acres of the Coastal Plain or 0.01% of the entire 19.6 million-acre refuge. These lands were set aside for America to produce its own energy resources. What are we waiting for?

ANWR can economically produce over 10 billion barrels of oil.

DKK
Powerline Blog

Illinois House Republican Town Hall July 15, 2008 6:30PM

I received a telephone invitation from Representative Ron Wait to an Illinois House Republican town hall meeting 6:30 PM tomorrow, Tuesday, July 15,2008, at the Zeke Georgie building.

I encourage everyone who can make it to attend.
DKK

Timeless Words

America must get to work producing more energy. The Republican program for solving economic problems is based on growth and productivity.

Large amounts of oil and natural gas lay beneath our land and off our shores, untouched because the present administration seems to believe the American people would rather see more regulation, taxes and controls than more energy.

Coal offers great potential. So does nuclear energy produced under rigorous safety standards. It could supply electricity for thousands of industries and millions of jobs and homes. It must not be thwarted by a tiny minority opposed to economic growth which often finds friendly ears in regulatory agencies for its obstructionist campaigns.

Make no mistake. We will not permit the safety of our people or our environment heritage to be jeopardized, but we are going to reaffirm that the economic prosperity of our people is a fundamental part of our environment.

Our problems are both acute and chronic, yet all we hear from those in positions of leadership are the same tired proposals for more government tinkering, more meddling and more control -- all of which led us to this state in the first place.

Acceptance Speech at the 1980 Republican Convention
by Ronald Reagan July 17, 1980

  
(Emphasis added)
DKK

Who Is Ultimately Responsible For High Gas Prices -- So That's Why We Can't Get A Compromise

Bottom line:

Democrats blame YOU!

Hence their solutions are designed to punish and rehabilitate each and every one of us!
"It's your fault so you must pay and change!"

Republicans blame Government.

Hence their solutions are designed to get Government out of the way and let Americans
do what Americans do best!
"We can solve this problem without starving the world or some other stupid government run debacle if you just get out of the way!"

Extended explanation:

There is a fundamental difference between the belief of the Democrats and the Republicans in Washington about who is ultimately responsible for today's high gas prices and this difference is why a compromise is so hard to reach on this issue.

Democrats make noise about blaming the oil companies, the speculators, the Saudi's and of course the Republicans. But the Democrats underlying belief, deep down, is that the ultimate responsibility for our current energy situation falls squarely on the every single resident of the United States! (This should be no surprise to any observer of history over the last 45 years or so.)

That's right, you and I, your neighbor and even their infant child!

You use too much, don't conserve, are wasteful, and fat too -- if you would walk more you would use less energy and maybe loose some of that butt you have!

Barack Obama, Sunday, May 18, 2008,

"We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times..."

That is why their solutions are all punitive. Tax increases, increased regulation, forced change, even outlawing incandescent light bulbs. These are all punishing roadblocks and attempts at social engineering.

On the other hand Republicans believe that the ultimate responsibility for high gas prices lies with Government.

In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.
Ronald Reagan, First Inaugural Address

Thus their solutions involve eliminating restrictions and getting government out of the way.

The American people need to send a message to the Democrats in congress, loud and clear, that we are not to blame -- THEY ARE. We can't afford to let this continue!

As Jean Kirkpatrick said back in 1984, "(T)hey always blame America first. The American people know better."

Until the Democrats understand this they will not allow the American people the freedom to do what Americans do best -- solve the problem using hard work and ingenuity.
DKK

No Excuses Energy Act!

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today issued the following statement on a discharge petition filed by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) to force Democratic leaders to schedule a vote on the No More Excuses Energy Act (H.R. 3089), legislation authored by Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) to increase U.S. energy production and invest in alternative sources of energy:

“The Democratic Majority’s callous indifference as American families and small businesses struggle with $4 per gallon gasoline is both inexcusable and irresponsible. By flatly refusing to schedule votes on the House GOP plan to help reduce fuel costs and achieve energy independence, the Democrats in control of Congress are proving themselves complicit in our nation’s energy crisis, which is growing worse by the day on their watch.

“Where Democrats refuse to lead, Republicans will. Beginning today, House Republicans will offer a series of discharge petitions aimed at forcing the Democratic leadership to schedule several GOP-sponsored bills to increase production of American-made energy, reduce America’s costly dependence on foreign sources of energy, harness new alternative energy technologies, and lower gas prices. I thank Rep. Tim Walberg for offering the first discharge petition in this effort – one that seeks to force Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer to schedule Rep. Mac Thornberry’s No More Excuses Energy Act. The Thornberry bill will open new American oil refineries, invest in alternative energy sources, and increase environmentally-safe exploration of untapped oil resources in the United States.

“Rep. Walberg’s discharge petition provides rank-and-file Democrats an important opportunity to back up their rhetoric on gas prices with real action. By joining House Republicans in supporting it, they can send a long-overdue message to the Democratic leadership: American consumers are hurting, and this Congress has a responsibility to act on meaningful legislation aimed to bring down soaring prices at the pump.”

NOTE: The No More Excuses Energy Act would help reduce the price of gasoline by opening new American oil refineries; investing in diverse energy sources such as wind, nuclear, and captured carbon dioxide; and making available more homegrown energy through environmentally-sensitive exploration of the Arctic coastal plain and in deep ocean energy resources. A recent Gallup survey indicated that 57 percent of Americans support increased production of American-made energy. For more information on the House GOP’s comprehensive plan for lower gas prices, please visit the House GOP’s “Real Energy Solutions” website at http://GOPLeader.gov/energy

Finally!
DKK
Via Michelle Malkin

Democrats To Blame For Gas Prices!

For several decades, the Democratic Party has pursued policies designed to drive up the cost of petroleum, and therefore gas at the pump. Remarkably, the Democrats don't seem to have taken much of a political hit from the current spike in gas prices. Probably that's because most people don't realize how different the two parties' energy policies have been.

Congressman Roy Blunt put together these data to highlight the differences between House Republicans and House Democrats on energy policy:

ANWR Exploration House Republicans: 91% Supported House Democrats: 86% Opposed

Coal-to-Liquid
House Republicans: 97% Supported
House Democrats: 78% Opposed

Oil Shale Exploration
House Republicans: 90% Supported
House Democrats: 86% Opposed

Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Exploration
House Republicans: 81% Supported
House Democrats: 83% Opposed

Refinery Increased Capacity
House Republicans: 97% Supported
House Democrats: 96% Opposed

SUMMARY

91% of House Republicans have historically voted to increase the production of American-made oil and gas.

86% of House Democrats have historically voted against increasing the production of American-made oil and gas.

DKK
Power Line -- Who's to Blame for High Gas Prices?

Is McCain The Answer for Republicans

John McCain, for all his faults, is the one Republican candidate who can lead us through our wilderness. Mr. McCain is not running on a messianic platform or as a great healer of dysfunctional Republicans who refuse to help themselves. His humility is one of his great strengths. In his heart, he’s a soldier who sees one more hill to charge, one more mission to complete.

DKK
Hot Air -- Coburn to GOP: Stop Start acting like Republicans, and follow … McCain?

Manzullo Statement On OPEC

Washington, May 20 -

Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) today voted for legislation to reduce gasoline prices in America by allowing the U.S. government to sue OPEC countries that conspire to keep oil prices high by limiting production in their nations.

The Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act (HR 6074) would make it illegal under U.S. law for foreign countries to collectively manipulate energy prices or supplies and permit the federal government to sue foreign countries for any such actions that directly affect the United States. The bill passed the House 324-84 this afternoon.

“For too long, the OPEC criminal conspiracy has wreaked havoc on gasoline prices in the United States,” Manzullo said. “This legislation will make them think twice before turning off the spigot and continuing to manipulate oil supplies to suit their needs. The threat of lawsuits should deter any efforts by the OPEC cartel to continue to raise gasoline prices in America.”

In a separate move, Manzullo, a Republican leader on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter today to the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Adel Al-Judbeir, urging the country to immediately increase oil production up to 1.9 million barrels a day to increase the supply of oil in the world and reduce gas prices in America. Manzullo, lead Republican on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, pointed out in the attached letter that Saudi Arabia has the capability to produce 11.3 million barrels of oil a day but is only extracting 9.4 million barrels daily.

“The constituents I represent in northern Illinois are facing record gas prices exceeding $4 a gallon and need immediate relief before the summer starts or else our economic turmoil could spread more deeply around the world,” Manzullo said. “I believe it is in the interests of both our countries for Saudi Arabia to increase production beyond the 300,000 barrels a day already promised to commercial customers.”

Urging OPEC nations to increase the production of oil is part of the 12-point plan Manzullo unveiled earlier this month to reduce gas prices in America. The comprehensive plan includes short- and long-term strategies to lower American gas prices by combining increased domestic production of oil and gasoline with conservation, tax relief and incentives to encourage development and commercialization of alternative and renewable energies. The comprehensive plan is attached

Manzullo has a 12 point plan (word documentlink to my post on the 12 point plan May 5, 2008 -- who puts a word document online anymore, they couldn't just convert it to a pdf like they did the letter to the Saudi Ambassador pdf?) that if he and the rest of the Republicans, had any chance in hell of getting passed would go a long way toward getting elected this fall.

Unfortunately this OPEC legislation is just about 48 years too late (OPEC formed September 14, 1960) and is the most ineffective part of his plan, which is probably why the Democratically controlled congress passed it.

Oil is going to be a major political tool this fall. I have said before that if the American people knew who was keeping oil at such a high price (hint, OPEC has nothing to do with it) they would vote for a completely new congress.

DKK

Albatros or Eagle?

The Presidency: It takes little courage — or brains — to join the mob vilifying President Bush. But the Democrats (and Republicans, too) depicting him as villain will one day regret it.
(...) Economy (...)

As for national security, Obama keeps saying the war in Iraq and the rest of the administration's foreign and defense policy have, as he put it last week in South Dakota, "prevented us from making this country safe." But the country is safer than anyone expected after 9/11.

There has not been a single terrorist attack on the homeland, and we have instead foiled multiple terrorist plots to kill innocent Americans. America has succeeded in foiling these plots because Bush gave the National Security Agency the authority to monitor any and all communications of suspected terrorists, by telephone, e-mail or other means.

(...) Iraq (...)

This is the supposed albatross Republicans are so intent on distancing themselves from and which Democrats believe to be the key to victory in November. The facts of the last seven years tell a different story.
DKK
Investors Business Daily

Wrong On Virtually Everything -- The Democrats Election Platform 2008 -- Time They Were Accountable!

There's little to do, it seems, but prepare for the deluge, and make plans to rebuild once the inevitable retreat begins.

This contention has become so widespread that it's achieved the status of a received truth, with the danger of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. But there's one problem with it: if the American left is in such great shape, why are all their programs collapsing?
(...) Global Warming (...) Iraq (...) Recession (...)

This is what the GOP is running against: people who want to lose a war, who are keeping alive an environmentalist scam, who (as a byproduct of that scam) have created conditions of serious hunger across the world, and who would not mind seeing a recession in the U.S., no matter how many people it hurts.

How do you lose against a hand like this? You lose by throwing your cards down and collapsing under the table whining about being forced to play at all. That's what the GOP is doing -- it can't be described in any other way.
(...)

The American left is not made to eat its failures. This must change. The only entity capable of forcing that change is, unfortunately, the Republican Party. So the GOP must take steps: it needs to shed its invertebrate qualities and become an opposition party worthy of the name. To give up its sense of entitlement, which wrecked both George H.W. Bush and Bob Dole and will wreck John McCain if allowed half a chance. To cease expecting anybody to hand them victories, to stop running from the fight, to stop ducking the sharper aspects of politics. To start playing the political game the way it has to be played.

The Democrats deserve to hurt for the actions they take and the stances they embrace.

There is so much more, this is a Must Read! An outstanding piece by J.R. Dunn
DKK
American Thinker -- Is 2008 to be a Transformational Election?