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Friday, August 08, 2008

Republicans In Energy “Gang Of Ten” Throwing Democrats A Life Preserver On Oil Issue

This is so stupid:

It’s taken time, but Sen. McCain and his party have finally found—in energy—an issue that’s working for them. Riding voter discontent over high gas prices, the GOP has made antidrilling Democrats this summer’s headlines. . . .

Still, it was probably too much to assume every Republican would work out that their side was winning this issue. And so, last Friday, in stumbled Sens. Lindsey Graham, John Thune, Saxby Chambliss, Bob Corker and Johnny Isakson—alongside five Senate Democrats. This “Gang of 10” announced a “sweeping” and “bipartisan” energy plan to break Washington’s energy “stalemate.” What they did was throw every vulnerable Democrat, and Mr. Obama, a life preserver. . . .

That’s because the plan is a Democratic giveaway. New production on offshore federal lands is left to state legislatures, and then in only four coastal states. The regulatory hurdles are huge. And the bill bars drilling within 50 miles of the coast—putting off limits some of the most productive areas. Alaska’s oil-rich Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is still a no-go.

The highlight is instead $84 billion in tax credits, subsidies and federal handouts for alternative fuels and renewables. The Gang of 10 intends to pay for all this in part by raising taxes on . . . oil companies! The Sierra Club couldn’t have penned it better.

So the plan from this “gang of ten” is to create massive new subsidies for the biofuel industry (which will do nothing to help fuel prices), funded by massive new taxes on the oil industry (something that’s only going to exacerbate the gas price problem) and in exchange Americans would get only marginal progress toward opening up more land for domestic oil drilling.

Sound like a good deal?  It’s not.  So why are these Republicans on board with it?  Lindsey Graham is from South Carolina.  John Thune is from South Dakota.  Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson are from Georgia.  Bob Corker is from Tennessee.  Every one of these states has a significant base of agriculture that’s tied in with the ethanol industry.  What these guys are doing is putting what’s best for the ethanol lobbyists, who are no doubt regular visitors to their offices, over what is best for the country.

Comments

WTF is Lindsey Grahamnesty still doing in the Republican party?

We need to tell that bigot to go home.


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on August 8, 2008 at 07:21 am

Whistler> Lindsay is OUR senior Senator.  We disagree with him on some issues, but agree on 90%.  What part of his words do you consider bigoted?  I hope you are not “one of those” who throw out the “racist” accusation at the drop of our word like OUR.


Communism is evil

Chief RZ on August 8, 2008 at 07:26 am

I’m sorry the quote is that he said that bigots need to shut up, not go home.


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on August 8, 2008 at 07:41 am
Avatar for Tuna

Graham is a lawyer--the guy is always looking for a way to “settle"--he’s a lot like Arlen Specter, our Senator--in other words, he’s akin to a Democrat.

Tuna on August 8, 2008 at 08:02 am
Avatar for markm

Apparently the gang of ten didn’t see the recent polling that says the majority of Americans don’t want to pimp the oil companies as a solution because they are afraid the costs will come back to them in higher pump prices.

markm on August 8, 2008 at 08:06 am
Avatar for markm

Apparently the gang of ten didn’t see the recent polling that says the majority of Americans don’t want to pimp the oil companies as a solution because they are afraid the costs will come back to them in higher pump prices.

markm on August 8, 2008 at 08:08 am
Avatar for markm

Apparently the gang of ten didn’t see the recent polling that says the majority of Americans don’t want to pimp the oil companies as a solution because they are afraid the costs will come back to them in higher pump prices.

markm on August 8, 2008 at 08:08 am
Avatar for halatbis

Does any one believe that slapping a profits tax on the oil companies will help in this supply problem?  The Republicans had better find their backbone and stand up for increasing supply----why help the Dem’s in their screwed up view?  The Dem’s are looking to buy votes---we do not need to join them--we are never going to win when it comes to gov’t give-aways, nor do we want to.

halatbis on August 8, 2008 at 08:22 am

Does anyone believe that slapping a profits tax on the oil companies will help in this supply problem?

No! ... and least of all, the democrats.

But, it will:

1.  Stir up class envy.

2.  Create the delusion that John. Q. Public can get some of that money - ala Obama’s suggestion that Americans get another rebate paid for by big oil.

3.  Continue to divert attention from the real solution: Drill here, drill now!


"Here lies, in honored glory, an American soldier, known but to God.”

“Glory is not a conceit. It is not a decoration for valor. Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return.”
Senator John McCain, Faith of Our fathers

pparets on August 8, 2008 at 08:31 am

But, it will:

1.  Stir up class envy.

2.  Create the delusion that John. Q. Public can get some of that money - ala Obama’s suggestion that Americans get another rebate paid for by big oil.

3.  Continue to divert attention from the real solution: Drill here, drill now!

Good point PP, too bad our candidate is too clueless to bring that up himself.


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on August 8, 2008 at 08:42 am

But, it will:

1.  Stir up class envy.

2.  Create the delusion that John. Q. Public can get some of that money - ala Obama’s suggestion that Americans get another rebate paid for by big oil.

3.  Continue to divert attention from the real solution: Drill here, drill now!

Good point PP, too bad our candidate is too clueless to bring that up himself.


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on August 8, 2008 at 08:46 am

But, it will:

1.  Stir up class envy.

2.  Create the delusion that John. Q. Public can get some of that money - ala Obama’s suggestion that Americans get another rebate paid for by big oil.

3.  Continue to divert attention from the real solution: Drill here, drill now!

Good point PParents, too bad our candidate is too clueless to bring that up himself.


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on August 8, 2008 at 08:47 am

Whistler… umm, I think he already has.  You folks up there in ND simply have to stop relying on the pony express riders.  smile

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/17/mccain.energy/index.html


"Here lies, in honored glory, an American soldier, known but to God.”

“Glory is not a conceit. It is not a decoration for valor. Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return.”
Senator John McCain, Faith of Our fathers

pparets on August 8, 2008 at 09:10 am

the pony express riders.

Nah, the papers come on the weekly train now days.


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on August 8, 2008 at 09:13 am

Hahahaha!  Good one! 

And that’s the same train that also brings the sacks of flour, chicken-feed and ‘painted ladies’?


"Here lies, in honored glory, an American soldier, known but to God.”

“Glory is not a conceit. It is not a decoration for valor. Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return.”
Senator John McCain, Faith of Our fathers

pparets on August 8, 2008 at 09:17 am

Whistler… umm, I think he already has.

I don’t see in the article where McCain addressed:

1.  Stir up class envy.

2.  Create the delusion that John. Q. Public can get some of that money - ala Obama’s suggestion that Americans get another rebate paid for by big oil.

3.  Continue to divert attention from the real solution: Drill here, drill now!

But then usually I have to have the conductor explain the news to me.


What’s going to happen to US industry when the global warming extremists like John McCain double the price of electricity?  I would think all these factories will close and set up in countries where they aren’t scared of technology.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on August 8, 2008 at 09:17 am

Whistler!!!  Put on them specs, clean out the ear-horn!!

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/06/17/mccain_talks_energy_slams_obam.html


"Here lies, in honored glory, an American soldier, known but to God.”

“Glory is not a conceit. It is not a decoration for valor. Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return.”
Senator John McCain, Faith of Our fathers

pparets on August 8, 2008 at 09:25 am
Avatar for patriot

Yea, this plan is Crap.  Anything that does not include ANWR is, I’m so disappointed in Thune.

He should know better, ethanol subsidies or not.  Its a one sided plan, the California legislature is never going to allow them to drill.  Florida might, but CA won’t.

patriot on August 8, 2008 at 10:02 am

Sounds almost like a second round of the farm bill biodiesel and ethanol subsidies.


Check out:
Goon’s North Dakota Red Neck
Goon’s World

goon on August 8, 2008 at 01:42 pm
Avatar for C#

I wrote 2 letters to each Senator today under different names noasting I was part of several big organizations. Its time to do everything we can to get the message to these idiots.

C# on August 8, 2008 at 03:49 pm
Avatar for C#

This is atrocius. I wrote each R Sen. 2 times today blasting them. One one, I represented a physician who is president of some retired physicians organization. I told Graham that at our monthly meeting of over a hundred old farts like me, we felt betrayed by him. I did this to all oif them, claiming we, along with our members would work extra hard to remove him from office if he doesn’t have a quick change of heart. This is a national security issue, for crying out loud! We must drill here, drill now...foilks it ios time to do some guerilla writing like this. I did this for all the R Senators in the Gang. Next I became a ringleader at work and signed everybody’s fictitious name after my complaint. They will listen to these voices. Have I gone mad?

C# on August 8, 2008 at 04:18 pm

C#
Ummm, did you happen to spell & grammer check you’re email before sending? I only ask because I would have a hard time taking you seriously if the email you sent contained as many errors as your previous comments. Not to mention an aggressive approach is generally not very persuasive.


"we should select our leaders on principle first, electability second.”

A young man whose wisdom far exceeds his years

Spartacus on August 8, 2008 at 04:28 pm

^ also, they get hundreds, sometimes thousands of emails every day, sometimes it takes a while for them to reply. My experience has shown it to take from a few days to a couple of months to receive a reply, while they’re in session.


"we should select our leaders on principle first, electability second.”

A young man whose wisdom far exceeds his years

Spartacus on August 8, 2008 at 04:32 pm
Avatar for kaintock

I wrote all 5 R Senators an e mail today lambasting them. We all need to do this. It’s very quick and, as politicians, they always have their finger on the pulse of the electorate. Please e mail them and convey your pissedoffedness like I did. I e mailed each Sen. twice under separate aliases purporting to be the head of larger organizations with hundreds of local voters. This is guerilla warfare ladies and gents and this is our time! We are the ones WE have been waiting for to stick it to these socialist crapheads.

kaintock on August 8, 2008 at 04:48 pm
Avatar for kaintock

I wrote all 5 R Senators an e mail today lambasting them. We all need to do this. It’s very quick and, as politicians, they always have their finger on the pulse of the electorate. Please e mail them and convey your pissedoffedness like I did. I e mailed each Sen. twice under separate aliases purporting to be the head of larger organizations with hundreds of local voters. This is guerilla warfare ladies and gents and this is our time! We are the ones WE have been waiting for to stick it to these socialist crapheads.

kaintock on August 8, 2008 at 04:49 pm
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