Bush: Motorists pay for Dem 'obstruction'

END FOREIGN WARS AND DRILL FOR DOMESTIC OIL

A rapidly devaluing dollar, aggravated by the cost of the War in Iraq, contributes to recent rapid increases in the price of gas. And if the trillion plus dollars the US spent fighting that war had been invested in a Manhattan like project to produce oil from known reserves in the Gulf of Mexico, the Continental shelf and synthetic diesel/gas from America’s abundant coal fields, gas would be $2 a gallon or less.

And reducing trade deficits keeps jobs in America. Every billion of trade deficit costs 13,000 jobs. $400 billion for oil last year: do the math.

Plus declaring American energy independence is the neighborly thing to do. It would place downward pressure on world oil prices by making more OPEC oil available for the UK, France, Japan, Turkey, etc.

Call Congress and demand domestic production in this decade.
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml

PRICE OF GAS
Gas station profit - 2-4%
Oil Industry Profit – 7-9%
Refining Cost - 9-11%
Distribution & Marketing - 10-12%
State & Federal Taxes - 15-19%
Crude oil sources - 50-70%

I heard it was Bush Sr. who imposed the drilling ban and Dubya could remove it without the involvement of Congress.

Why didn't Bush act on this drilling ban when he had a Republican 'rubber stamp' Congress? He surely could have rammed it through.

I seriously doubt opening these areas to oil exploration will have an appreciable impact on our near term energy costs but we've 'seen this movie before' during the Clinton administration and had he not vetoed drilling then, some of the oil might be onstream now.

What a joke.
Motorists are paying for 7 years of Bush/Cheney; their ties to the oil industry, their war in Iraq, no leadership on reducing demand by encouraging alternative energy and more efficient vehicles. And not a word about it in his remarks this morning. But the good news is that every time Bush criticizes Democrats, more votes go to Obama.

What the news isn't telling you. Bush is spitting out more propaganda. Overall, oil corporations have 68 million acres of US land to drill on and they only use 25% (source: CSPN). So, it is NOT the Dems, but oil companies themselves not drilling to keep prices high. In addition, the Iraqi fields are going to be opened up to US, UK & Dutch Shell oil companies under secrete bid.

Impeached, Democratic President Bill Clinton vetoed a bill to open up ANWR for drilling in 1996. Twelve years ago. Democrats today argue drilling there now won't make a difference in supply for 7 or 8 years. Hmm. DRILL HERE. DRILL NOW. PAY LESS. People, when gas hit $3 / gal years ago, I became the only American to set his cruise control to 55mph. At $4 / gal, I set it to 50mph. Will anyone join me ? Check the air in your tires and SLOW DOWN PEOPLE.

Wow, Bush out does himself in hypocrisy on off-shore drilling. When his brother Jeb was trying to get re-elected as governor of Florida in 2002 he spent $115 million in federal money to buy back oil leases off Florida. In fact he killed a leasing plan developed by the Clinton administration.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A30379-2002May29

Now he puts all the blame for our current situation on the Democrats. Why doesn't he explain how his own policies, including Iraq, lead to $4-a-gallon gasoline?

"Thank you for listening"? Is he kidding? The country stopped listening to him a couple of years ago.

This guy really has no shame. Go spend another couple billion of OUR dollars in your beloved Iraq, Mr. Bush.

This Liberal Media just won't tell you the whole story.

Bush met in secret with Big Oil right after he was selected. You think "DOMESTIC OIL " was brought up?

Bush had a rubber stamp Republician Congress for 6 years You think "DOMESTIC OIL " was brought up?

Big Oil is sitting on 30% of it's leases right now need "DOMESTIC OIL " start drilling.

Big Oil is about to go back into Iraq with no bid contracts.

Why doesn't the Liberal Media ask these questions of their hero King George? Why are we always being lied to?

Tom has no clue how those lease and the oil industry works. The oil company gets their lease, then they explore - some if not most of those leases will come up empty or with oil that is too expensive to drill for (yes - vene at $140/barrel), then it is the othre leases that have oil where the cost to bring the oil to market is less than the price of oil. This is called a profit business model. So put down Karl Marx and pick up Adam Smith

America is in the mess it's in because of Bush and his pals in banking and oil. Naturally, he assigns blame to the democrats; anything to get a 3rd term for himself and his crooks in high places via McCain. Bush should have been impeached when he first launched his war for oil in Iraq.
I cannot wait until he is out of the oval office.

America is fed up with George W. Bush's ideas. Look where his ideas got us.

But gas prices could be worse. In Europe, $8 gas is typical.

Barack Obama has a sensible plan of investment in new energy technologies and targeted tax breaks for those who need them. Bush and McCain, on the other hand, are motivated by profit for the oil companies and tax breaks for the rich.

I was expecting to see a lot of "damn liberals" comments but was pleasantly surprised. Good to know that at least a few of us know what is really going on.

$4 a gallon should be enough incentive for us ALL to act. BUY A BIKE. In Chicago, there is no excuse - you can bike nearly everywhere you have to go. My 25 total mile commute only makes me feel better about myself, keep me in shape, help the environment, save money... do you need more incentive?

Gee, I remembered that the Republican controlled the Senate and House, so why Mr. Bush didn't you get your oil drilling passed. Mr Bush is your memory failing you about oil drilling? Don't blame the Democrats. Republicans have been in power much longer than the Democrats, so place the blame on Republicans. Put the blame where it belongs.

Does he think we're all idiots? The oil companies are sitting on upwards of 350 leases on American land that they are not drilling on. The high gas prices are the result of speculation on the open market. The more leases the oil companies hold, the more money they make through continued speculation. This is just one more way that Bush can hand over large amounts of American taxpayer dollars to his oil cronies. Enough is enough.

I find it truly amazing that Bush can blame the Democrats for the high price of oil. He sounds like a child lets blame everyone but the individual in charge. What ever happened to the buck stops here Mr. President you are the one in charge. Perhaps doing away with a more miles per gallon policy that was introduced by the Clinton administration and involving us in this horrific war in Iraq which is costing us a fortune means nothing to him. He is responsible for this. Lets not ruin our beautiful country drilling for oil. Lets work on a more fuel efficient engine on any future vehicles to be built immediately. Techonology is there but these oil executives (of which Bush is apart of) don't want it to hurt their profit gouging way of doing business.
I also think a president should be held responsible for involving us in a war we have no business being in. We are wasting billions of dollars on the war. The value of our dollar is shrinking with globalization and children are starving or going with out medical care in our country. Our children should not be suffering because of his arrogant attitude. Lets put the blame on the Democrates is a very easy way to put the blame on someone eloses shoulders. When in actuality policies made during Bushs administration have wrecked havoc on our economy and reputation in the world today.
Take responsibility for your actions and stop behaving like a child and blaming everyone else for your mistakes President Bush!!!

Unbelievable. The man destabilizes the Middle East, wrecks the American economy, then has the unmitigated gall to blame the Democrats. How stupid does he think we are? Just wait till November!

To Slurpy who wants us to slow down. I agree that rampant speeding is a problem not only for gas consumption, but it also compromises the safety of other motorists. The issue of slowing down to 45 or 50 in a 55 mph zone is another thing. I don't know about you, but I don't want to spend any more time in the car than absolutely necessary. It takes me away from my family, and it forces me to lose precious sleep. Perhaps your comments would be better directed to our governor and his criminal buddies who put up construction signs on every major tollway and expressway without any thought of the impact on drivers. I don't relish sitting for an extra hour in traffic after I have paid $4 a gallon for gas. When you look for an alternate route, it too is under construction! Until the state gets its act together, I will continue to do 65 or 70 mph where ever I can to get to my destination. Guess what? I won't even complain about the cost of gas while I'm doing it, and I won't simply blame Bush for bipartisan failures.

This is an ideological struggle between The Democrats who welcome high fuel prices as a means of changing how we live and how it will move us closer to their protect the planet at the cost of our economy and the rest of us who want to live our lives. Our leadership in Washington, for thirty years, has not planned or prepared this nation to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Now, the Democrats want us to make a bone jarring sudden left turn toward renewable energy. We still need a PLAN and not knee jerk moves. Today, oil and our economy are our Achilles Heal and tomorrow our environment may be that Achilles Heel. I would like to solve the oil and economy Achilles Heal with drilling and then solve the environment Achilles Heel with renewable energy. Read about The Hidden Agenda Against Drilling For Oil" at
http://brokengovernment.wordpress.com/2008/06/21/the-hidden-agenda-against-drilling-for-oil/

Sorry Terry, but you are wrong I do know what I am talking about and have facts. 2nd: When anyone says the liberal media, they are wrong. 90% of the media is owned by corporations and 10% is privately owned by small business. Most Americans still get there news from cable and free TV which is owned by the few who are conservative and promote Bush propaganda (lies). When is the last time we had gas rationing? or lines at the gas pump? Thus we have enough oil and we drive less every month for the past 3 months. Thus logically, the oil business wants more profits near the end of the bush Admin's term, because the can get away with it. The right wing says trust corporations and the market, but all we really see is greed. Finally, if we drill everywhere the oil corps want, that oil will take 10 plus years to get to market and the oil is no guaranteed to come to the US market. 80% of Alaskan oil goes to Asia.

Not so long ago Bush conceded we were "addicted" to oil. Now all he offers are ways to feed the addiction, not cure it. Little wonder Bush's popularity is so low.

Can any of you Dixiecrats tell me why its OK for China to drill off FL but not the USA?

End foreign wars, try diplomacy!! Stop domestic drilling, find alternative fuel sources and lets change some of our, oil and gasoline based, habits. Don't you think that beats killing thousands of people, including our own heroes in uniform !! It sure make sense to me.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

This kool-aid is getting sour!!! That cowboy is trying to put a band-aid on an infected bleeding wound. Loser

Republican or Democrat...here's what is quite amusing. Everyone is complaining about the gas at the pump...but no one every wants to take responsibility for their own actions. Yes, our own actions. Those plastic pop bottles that we drink out of, those plastic bags we use for groceries, an realistic gas-alternative solution...that's what's quite funny. Everyone is quick to play the "oh its the Republicans or Democrats" fault...you know what, take a look in the mirror, because until we change our ways...things are never ever going to change. So for once in your life, take responsibility for your own actions and quite blaming or relying on government to fix them.

Republican or Democrat...here's what is quite amusing. Everyone is complaining about the gas at the pump...but no one every wants to take responsibility for their own actions. Yes, our own actions. Those plastic pop bottles that we drink out of, those plastic bags we use for groceries, an realistic gas-alternative solution...that's what's quite funny. Everyone is quick to play the "oh its the Republicans or Democrats" fault...you know what, take a look in the mirror, because until we change our ways...things are never ever going to change. So for once in your life, take responsibility for your own actions and quite blaming or relying on government to fix them.

Well, since I work in the oilfield I think I can add to this. There are tons of leases that the oil companies ALREADY OWN, THAT THEY ARE NOT EXPLORING !!! Wake up people. If they are not even exploring these leases that have oil, why open up the other areas. They should explore these other leases first. This is all a scare tactic by the politicians

Republican or Democrat...here's what is quite amusing. Everyone is complaining about the gas at the pump...but no one every wants to take responsibility for their own actions. Yes, our own actions. Those plastic pop bottles that we drink out of, those plastic bags we use for groceries, an realistic gas-alternative solution...that's what's quite funny. Everyone is quick to play the "oh its the Republicans or Democrats" fault...you know what, take a look in the mirror, because until we change our ways...things are never ever going to change. So for once in your life, take responsibility for your own actions and quite blaming or relying on government to fix them.

I would be willing to consider drilling in ANWAR if our country was given absolute guarantees that this oil was going to be destined exclusively for U.S.consumption.
Of course that will require that this reserve be, for all practical purposes, nationalized. That by itself would seem to temper the enthusiasm of the proponents of that approach, the Republican Party knows this but they're desperate for votes this year and they're hoping that people are dumb enough to believe them.
The purpose of drilling in ANWAR is designed to provide the multinationals with oil to sell in the WORLD MARKET and it is naive for any one to believe, and disingenous of Republicans to sell the concept, that what we drill out of ANWAR will serve to control the relentles increase in the price of fuel in the U.S.

The people here with the sense to know that this is, and has always been, a situation created by Bush and the oil companies are right, but the reason oil prices are so high is not only supply and demand, it’s the Enron loophole. At no other time in history has energy prices been tied so completely to the futures market. Just think about it for a minute, the last increases in the price of oil were because of problems in the Middle East and caused the stock market speculators to worry about supplies. What we need to do is demand that congress act to close this loophole by regulating the trading of oil futures, which would have an immediate effect on oil and gas prices.

David, you are really stupid. He didn't destabilize the middle east, it has been a powder keg and he didn't put Sadam in office, he got him out. The man was an Arab Hitler.

He didn't wreck the economy, it has been coming on since the Y2K boom and subsequent dot com bust, followed by easy money to ease the pain. The fed is not controlled by Bush, they finished this thing off and put us in this condition over the past five years.

So the bottom line is you ARE stupid, and will put a man in office who is trying to tell you he is Robin Hood, he'll tax the rich and give to the poor.

Here's a clue, it won't work, you'll be worse off five years from now unless you have a plan to make YOUR OWN MONEY AND NOT TAKE SOMEONE ELSES.

What a laugh each time oil spikes and Democrats persecute the oil industry since it's fashionable. They suggest collusion. Then oil spikes down and Dems are quite. Can't be found. Oil execs must be colluding to spike it down too! Anyone ever read a BALANCE SHEET ? Exxon profit margin = 11%. P&G profit margin = 14%. GOOG profit margin = 25%. How about return on net assets ? Didn't American oil companies profit $800 BILLION last year ? Didn't they reinvest $1.2 TRILLION last year ? Anyone every wonder what the true reason for the oil price is ? CHINA. INDIA. Everyone willing to stop shopping at Walmart ? Anyone realize shopping at Walmart is driving up oil since everything at Walmart is produced in China which like INDIA is slurping up all the oil ? No. Everyone continue shopping at Walmart and persecuting Big Oil. THINK IT THROUGH PEOPLE. Or is it just too easy to blame Bush and we'll see what President Obama, "the Intern" can do about the price of oil. Can't wait to find out.

Georgie, you've had seven years to develop an effecitve national energy policy, and now it's too late. You blew it. Hurry along and get your bags packed for that Dallas retirement home. And, yes, you can easily buy cocaine and lots of beer in Dallas so don't you fret.

Bush is either a fool or a liar, probably both. His destabilization of the Middle East has more to do with soaring gas prices than the alleged obstruction. Oil companies already have more leases than they are using, and this is just a ploy by Bush and his oil interest cronies to lock up the rest of them before he leaves office.

Regardless of whether or not this comment is able to get posted...we live in society where we have the rights to express views or speak our minds openly....unfortunately, though there are several occassions where that right is often abused...if you can do a better job, then do something about and get off your republician or democrat soap box

Tom,

Ever work in the industry? If you have the facts, lets see them.
Yes 90% of the media is corporate owned. Corporate by no means translates into conservatism. See MSNBC for a good example. Tell me who these conservative corporate owners are. I'll give you Fox News. Viacom, Disney, Time-Warner and GE. They all may be corporations, but they definitiely have left-wing slants in their news diviosn. Poor jump to a conclusion on your part.

Gas lines and rationing - I believe that was the Jimmy carter era of over-regulation of the energy industry.

The oil industry wwants profits no matter who is the president. Do you know what the ROI is of the oil industry as compared to S&P 500. They are about the same.

See the chart:

http://www.api.org/statistics/earnings/upload/earnings_perspective.pdf

All we see is greed - look at the attachment again. Coke and Pepsi have higher ROI than Oil and Gas Industry, should we nationalize them also? How about Starbucks and MuicroSoft?

Yes the oil will take 5 - 10 years to get to market. The opening of those leases would have an immediate impact on the futures market - that is those evil speculators that you probably dispise.

So what if the oil will go to Asia - as you say. that means oil elsewhere that is currently being sent to Asia would be available for purchase by the US. Oil is a global market. Contrary to what you hear at your tin-foil hat club meetings, Dick Cheney does not control the price of oil.

Any other of your arguements that you want me to rip to shreds, let me know.

For Bush to try to push this off on the democrats is amusing except that this high price for gas is NOT amusing. Has anyone noticed that whatever this man has touched his hand to becomes a failure. He has short changed this country with his lack of planning from Iraq to our environment and now this gas problem. He ia also blaming demand.. Anyone seen any long lines?

The President is right on this matter, and he needs to keep hammering the point clear through to election day.

It may help elect a Republican Congress to go along with the Republican president that will be elected on that day.

Motorist are acutally paying, because of the scheming that Dubya, Cheney and the oil company executives have been engaging within.

According to a 2004 investigating of Bureau of Land Management records by the Associated Press, 98 percent of the more than 33,000 leases still considered nonproducing by BLM have never had an exploratory well drilled. 97% of the leases never even had a permit filed to begin exploration.
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Think about it -- 97% of the tens of millions of acres of federally leased land which is STILL nonproducing has never even had a PERMIT application sent in. You can't even say "Well, it's not really good land" -- they don't KNOW because they haven't even taken the first step in finding out.
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And then Bush acts as though it's the Democrat's fault that oil prices are high? Pathetic pandering. Maybe Bush should be asking his precious oil friends why they haven't taken the first step yet towards exploiting tens of millions of acres set aside explicitly for drilling and production.
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http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20040814/ai_n11468535

Yes, the Democrats are in a bind, we really need to tap our own resources rather than Foreign sources. I live in a Democratic county in IL, there is no plan to limit unnecessary wastes of energy. It's as if they never voted for Al Gore. This idiot that has a business behind me has had two bright lights shining on my house for over four years. Many requests to local liberal government about this waste of energy has been ignored. I've also complained about diesel trucks revving their engines needlessly for half an hour or more, and nothing has been done. Why are we not doing anything about the most grievous waste of resurces? We are letting the most ignorant people run things, and they are ruining everything. Why must I pay for their lunacy???????????

He doesn't just think we're stupid. He KNOWS we're stupid: he won two presidential elections based on support for him and his policies,

The comments by all the dem/socialists are so typical, all Bush hate but no solutions. Guess what, Bush is gone in 7 months and we will still have high gas prices. Pelosi and the dems/socialists said they had an energy policy when they took control of Congress in 2006. Where is it? When are we going to get the benefits of alternative fuels on a large scale and at a reasonable price? 2030? In the mean time are we suppose to let our economy tank?

Sure Bush is late in demanding drilling, but gas wasn't $4.00 a gallon in 2000. The left would have complained about if he said he wanted to start drilling day one of his presidency- because that is what the left does, at least until the holy Obama gets into office- then what, we should all be riding bikes (like the Chinese use to)?

So high does the price of gas have to go and how bad does our economy have to get before you knee-jerk anti-drilling luddites get a clue? $8.00 a gallon? $12.00? Let us all pray to the all-mighty Obama to show us the way!

Did anyone notice the fact that there is only an estimated 3 year supply of oil in ALL of the off-shore areas of the US?

Not to mention, it will take 5+ years before anything comes to the surface even if they started drilling today.

Is it worth destroying our shores for such short-sighted goals?

We need to think long-term.

The Democrats?! How about because the current Chairmen of the Federal Reserve was allowed to save the hides of his banking buddies at the expense of Joe Six-pack. Lower the rates, trash the dollar, crack-up inflation, lie and hide the true losses these financials have on their books until they can be dumped on the taxpayer.

If you do not trust America’s financial markets (or worse, its government), a safe haven for cash will always be commodities.

We are in for depression, not a recession if these crimes continue.

Your comments below show that you have the same grasp on reality that Osame as the other Democrats has. Bush didn't block drilling. The Dems did. Bush wants to let drilling begin, but once again, dems in Washington say no way. I hope that all you liberals that think Osame as the other Dems is going to save this country, can't afford to pay your bills. You are the reason this country is in this position. You voted for politicans that are so corrupt, they would rather make drivers pay over $4.00 a gallon so they can keep a bunch of tree hugging idiots happy. And all the while, they have brainwashed you into thinking they are doing you a favor. Osame as the other dems said that the problem isn't the price of gas, it's the fact that the price went up too fast. How fast is too fast? If it had taken another year to get to $4.00 would he be happy? Who knows. Osame as the other dems has one plan for America. Raise taxes and give more away. Great plan. If you make 61,000 a year, under Osame as the other dems plan, you get a $2100 a year tax raise. Can you afford it?

Vote against the Dems. Throw them out of office. Start drilling, Get gas prices down. Keep America safe. Vote McCain.

SAY NO TO BO.

Ruperts comments. No grasp on reality.

What a joke.
Motorists are paying for 7 years of Bush/Cheney; their ties to the oil industry, their war in Iraq, no leadership on reducing demand by encouraging alternative energy and more efficient vehicles. And not a word about it in his remarks this morning. But the good news is that every time Bush criticizes Democrats, more votes go to Obama.

Does anybody seriously believe that the Dems don't want us to strengthen our fuel options?

The President is right on this matter, and he needs to keep hammering the point clear through to election day.

It may help elect a Republican Congress to go along with the Republican president that will be elected on that day.

Posted by: Danaidh | June 21, 2008 6:21 PM

oh, please. you are joking. Whatever you are also smoking, e-mail some to me.

For all the liberals who are incapable of understanding, well, just about everything, the reason Bush didn't get a new energy plan during his administration with a GOP Congress, is that the House did pass things, but in the Senate the Dems filibustered, in effect preventing anything from happening.
Anyway, more drilling will lower prices immediately. Even the thought will lower prices.
In regard to the 68 million acres, not all of it has oil. Much of it doesn't.
Open up the land for drilling. Get coal. Develop jobs, lower trade deficit and enhance dollar's strength.

Why is it that there has to be a crisis before our government wakes up and takes action, i.e. mortgage loan crisis and resulting home foreclosures, 9/11 terrorist attack, Enron scandal, $4.00 - $5.00 gasoline, unending war in Iraq.
For all their so called "experience", this administration has been one of the most corrupt, short-sighted, disorganized (see Hurricane Katrina response), secretive, Constitution trampling, and buck passing administrations in the history of the United States. It will take years to recover from the losses incurred to our economy, military, foreign policy, trade deficits, environment, and national debt because of the vast "experience" and "leadership" of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, Don Rumsfeld and Condolezza Rice. For more of the same, vote for the "experienced" candidate, John McCain. Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Iran. January 20th can't come soon enough.

Actually, Jessica.

You we do believe it. The Dems have been blocking drilling for how long? 26 Years.

Clinton vetoed a bill that would have allowed drilling. The Dems then threatened a filibuster.

Nothing but empty promises from Osame as the other democrats and the dems who have been running Congress for 1.5 years.

The Democrats are doing nothing but blocking any chance for us to get more oil onto the market.

Obama said he didn't think gas prices were a problem. What does he see as the problem?

It's easy for a millionaire to not worry about gas prices. But what about those of us who are working? We have to get to work.

Osame as the other dems is offering nothing but a TAX increase. He does not care about the working class.

George Bush is the only President whoever gave the workers a tax cut. Every time you get paid you should thank God that GWB got elected. We don't need to give more money to Congress. They can't balance a check book. Enough already.

I am asking All Americans who work to Vote against Obama. He is bad for the working class and horrible for America.

Posted by: Jesshica | June 21, 2008 8:53 PM
Does anybody seriously believe that the Dems don't want us to strengthen our fuel options?

The other obviuos solution is to alleviate demand.....BUT...a family with a vested interest in oil consumption would never state the other obvious conclusion to be made.

We are paying (a dear price) for 20 of the last 28 years of an executive branch that has no clue how to istitute any kind of sensible national policy that helps ALL US CITIZENS....instead we've been fed a bunch of lies that are in the interests of the few that have held power.

The hypocrisy I find here is that many are saying that we should not drill in these closed off areas, but we must pressure countries outside the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Nigeria (offshore) to produce more oil. You people over there need to take more risk to despoil your environment to provide us with more oil so that we won't have to drill in areas where we would rather not drill.
Isn't that what it all comes down to?

It's economic 101. Low supply, high demand will drive the cost of oil up. A few years ago, when gas price was low, it didn't make sense to drill for oil in Alaska and off the coast, but now it does. Democrats so far haven't done or said anything other than blaming Republicans. The American people should hold the do-nothing Congress (controlled by Democrats) responsible for high cost of gasoline.

Bush is beyond stupid. Worst President Ever.

Funny, GW never made any complaints when his brother was Governor of Florida and leading the charge against off-shore drilling there. Anybody call up JEB and get his opinion? No, of course not - would have been balanced.

Hard to understand how we have an energy problem when this administration has such a great energy policy architect in Cheney.

America land where profit is privatized and losses socialized.
Wake up people you are getting abused left and right and you are too damn partisan to realize it.
There will be a point when people in this country will say enough and i have a feeling it will be when the price of a gallon of gas is worth more than our country's minimum wage.

OH Danaidh what country have you been living in the past 7 and half years? Folks like you need to read and get educated..typical republican...wote with your mouth instead of your brain

I believe the President nailed it down in this speech 100%. If you added 10 million barrels of domestic oil to the system, it surely would drop prices. Each barrel of oil is 42 gallons of oil. And each barrel makes 21 gallons of gasoline (not to mention the 21 gallons of other byproducts).
And 10 million barrels is the amount we import from OPEC. Democrats are the problem.

Has this incompetent coward ever told the truth about anything in all his time in office?

People, please let go of your intense hatred for Bush, and think of the Country. We have this oil and should be allowed to drill for it, while we look at alternatives.

Some people in my area are buying new hybrid cars, and we don't have an ethanol station in the whole Tri-State area!

We keep shipping our jobs overseas, but the cost of shipping those products back here are increasing...let's get back on track, drill, look for alternatives, and keep our jobs here!

I think blocking every new oil refinery for over 30 years, blocking nukes, blocking new hydropower sites, blocking some coal fired plants and of course blocking windfarms was done on purpose. Marxists were behind all those demonstrations, while they wink at pollution blowing over here from China.

this is actually correct, I am a Democrat and am appalled by Obama's stance on energy. We need to drill our own oil AND operate more Nuclear plants. This will cause Obama a world of hurt if he does not wisen up

America Urgently Needs A National Discourse On Our Energy Crisis BEFORE Our Economy Implodes.

The average American is appalled at the ever escalating price of gasoline/transportation costs and the impact that these costs are having on the family budget. Further, as we're well aware, transportation costs ripple through the entire American economy on every essential commodity that we're required to purchase such as food. The latter being accentuated by an erroneous emphasis on an inefficient petroleum substitute, ethanol, which actually inhibits our attempts to achieve higher mileage standards. Although, it must be noted that the replacement of lead via the 10% ethanol blend was certainly a positive step. In an America with POTENTIALLY vast energy resources, why have we allowed ourselves to become willing victims of cartel energy piracy from highly unstable, unfriendly fanatical regimes, from whom we now import a substantial segment of our petroleum needs? Imports which continuously drain wealth from America in the form of an unfavorable balance of trade; and, conversely flow petro-dollars into the coffers of Islamofacists and others who would destroy America given the opportunity. For a sobering example Iran, with the 3rd largest oil reserves in the world, has been stockpiling huge quantities of excess oil; has converted it's oil trading currency to the Euro; has withdrawn its financial assets from Europe; and, could precipitously dump these oil reserves on the world market in an effort to collapse the dollar as a world currency. SPECULATORS BEWARE. Were it not for America's dependence on these Middle-East petroleum imports, we could conveniently extricate ourselves from this cauldron of fanaticism; and, allow the fanatics to wallow in their self imposed misery and virulent hatred for Western culture.

The fundamental question is WHO do we blame for this self-imposed dilemma?

America originated nuclear power; and yet, we produce only 20% of our domestic electrical energy from the nuclear option while countries such as France produce 78%, and have programmed significantly more, dramatically reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. The safety issue on nuclear power is a non-sequitur given the hundreds of thousands of operating hours on U.S. Naval nuclear propulsion systems without incident. But yet, LEFT-WING FRINGE ELEMENTS in our society THAT COMPRISE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE BASE OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY have for 30yrs. managed to bring America's nuclear industry to a standstill.

Our Nation possesses an abundance of untapped petroleum reserves; off our coastlines; in the Alaskan wilderness; in the Bakken formation; and, in the form of hi-quality shale oil in the Rocky Mountain region where we have the equivalent of ten(10) Saudi Arabia's in recoverable reserves. And yet, we have permitted LEFT-WING FRINGE ELEMENTS to inhibit our access to such deposits. The incredible irony is that the CHICOM are exploring for oil 45miles South of Key West, while we have prohibited ourselves from exploiting the same resources. Had Bill Clinton, in '95, not vetoed the Republican controlled Senate approval of drilling in ANWAR, exploration which has been previously proven to be beneficial to the Alaskan Caribou herds, we would have had an additional one million barrels of domestic oil production on-line TODAY; and, a concurrent reduction in the at-pump price of gasoline of $1/gallon. Further, there is an inherent synergy to be exploited between Nuclear Power and Shale Oil Extraction. Concurrently, Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama, ensconced in their own vision of scuttling fossil fuels, have both pledged to confiscate the profits of America's Energy Companies. A move that would cripple our capacity to explore/develop additional petroleum reserves; greatly exacerbate our dependence on foreign sources; and, dramatically further increase the price of fuel at the pump. Granted that the commitment to drill would experience a lag before additional petroleum products could be brought to market; but, the mitigation on speculative factors on price would be immediate. To note; an increase in margin requirements to further dampen speculation woud be a positive step.

America has the largest reserves of coal in the world; and, a full 50% of our domestic electrical energy generation is dependent on this resource; and yet, LEFT-WING FRINGE ELEMENTS continuously attempt to restrict the use of these coal reserves; and, to impede attempts to develop technologies/facilities for the gasification of coal. Bill Clinton struck a major blow to America's accessible coal reserves when he unilaterally, over the objection of State officials, placed the Red Hills of Utah with an estimated Four(4) Trillion $s worth of high quality coal assets off-limits. Fearful of mass protests, Clinton wouldn't even go to Utah to announce his heinous restriction; but, rather chose to make his proclamation from the relative security of Arizona. Clinton's actions represented a major financial windfall for his Riady Bros. bankrollers who were in competition with Utah to sell their Indonesian coal holdings to the CHICOM. Ever wonder why Clinton refuses to release the Donor list for his "Foundation"!

Even our Hydro-Electric potential has been brought to a standstill by LEFT-WING FRINGE ELEMENTS over such nonsense as the Snail-Darter. Water resources which could as well now be playing a major role in mitigating the effects of the drought that has recently griped the SouthEast.

Much of the hype over fossil fuels has again been exploited by LEFT-WING FRINGE ELEMENTS over the mythical impact of MAN MADE CO2 emissions on Global Warming. Such proclamations totally disregard the complete lack of correlation between recorded atmospheric CO2 levels and recorded Global temperatures. On Earth as on Mars, where no controversy of Man Made Global Warming factors exist, surface temperature variations precisely track the recorded fluctuations in Solar irradiance. Further, satellite observations, which are NOT influenced by proximity to ground based heat-sources, have confirmed that there has been NO global temperature increase over the last ten years. Ask our self-inflicted dyslexic friend, Al Gore, to explain these recorded contradictions to his Man Made Global Warming hype. The silence is deafening Albert!

Imposition of overly burdensome regulatory criteria and an application morass principally sponsored by LEFT-WING FRINGE ELEMENTS, have made the expense and reduced profitability of investing in additional refinery installations prohibitive. The inevitable result being that a new refinery has not been built in the U.S. since 1976 as corporations have shunned such capital projects creating a restrictive "choke point" in the availability of gasoline products. This "choke point" where refineries are continuously required to operate at peak capacities makes the availability/distribution of refined products within our Nation readily vulnerable to supply disruptions. Further, the dictated multiple blends of gasoline, frequently multiple blends within the same metropolis, have seriously complicated and inflated the time factor in the refinery task. Our entire Nation should express our gratitude and admiration to Union County, South Dakota for stepping forward to rescue America from such myopia with the programmed construction of the first refinery in 32 years; but, the LEFT is already circling the wagons, and looking for a liberal Federal Judge to obstruct.

To be certain, we CAN and we MUST achieve total energy independence; but, our Nation can only extricate ourselves from this self imposed dilemma by a broad-based, comprehensive NATIONAL ENERGY STRATEGY that BLENDS all of the elements of: conservation; major increases in transportation efficiencies, such as increased mileage standards; exploitation of our indigenous petroleum resources; fast-tracking of regulatory criteria; a significant expansion of our refinery facilities; major investments in nuclear energy; supplementation of our electrical grid with solar, wind, geo-thermal, and hydro technologies; and, a major investment in Research and Development to bring a Hydrogen and Fusion based economy to fruition. Unfortunately, to dig ourselves out of this self-created coffin-corner will require TIME. Time which simply means that, in the interim, we must protect our access to unstable Middle East suppliers until we bring our own assets on line. The latter exigency which could readily be scuttled by the Cut-And-Run crowd on Iraq. The regional chaos which would be precipitated by an Iranian regional hegemony subsequent to a precipitous American withdrawal from Iraq would make the current cost-escalation in energy supplies from the Middle East seem like the Golden Age of Yesteryear by comparison; and, most certainly would induce a much wider conflict/conflagration. The myopia of the Left on these circumstances is astounding. As history has repeatedly taught with grim consequences, PEACE and STABILITY are won only THRU STRENGTH; and, NOT THRU the nebulous psychosis of HOPE.

The ability of a LEFT-WING minority, that has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to whiplash the Democrat Party, to dictate such onerous/debilitating restrictions in the energy sector of the American economy has been made possible ONLY by the passive acceptance of these militant's demands by the more rational majority of the American electorate. The RATIONAL MAJORITY: that believes in the 2nd Amendment to our Constitution; that is proud of our Country; that daily expresses such pride by the furling of an American flag on their property, or the wearing of an American Flag lapel pin on their chest; that proudly places their hand over their heart at the singing of our National Anthem while even shedding a tear or two; that is unashamed to actively recognize the Judeo/Christian heritage of America; that believe that Judges should NOT legislate from the bench; and, that proudly proclaims the unparallel contribution of America to the protection and sustenance of democratic values throughout the pages of world history, as opposed to LEFT-WING FRINGE ELEMENTS that believe America to be the greatest EVIL in the world. As the Pope so eloquently proclaimed on his recent visit to our homeland, "God Bless America".

However, with the current composition of the U.S. Senate that believes we can TAX our way out of our energy crisis, our Nation doesn't stand a prayer of extricating ourselves from this self imposed dilemma. Simply review the recent Senate action on HR 3121 where Harry Reid and his minions such as Clinton and Obama, in sync with the Left-Wing Fringe Elements in our society, voted AGAINST the opening of a miniscule portion of ANWAR; AGAINST shale oil extraction of which America has the equivalent of ten Saudi Arabia's in recoverable reserves; and, AGAINST accelerated efforts to facilitate the gasification of America's abundant reserves of coal.

The task then for the RATIONAL MAJORITY in our Nation is SIMPLY to recognize the SOURCE that sustains and provides the base of support for the LEFT-WING FRINGE ELEMENTS in our society; and, to undertake a decisive role at the ballot box to isolate and relegate these FRINGE ELEMENTS THAT COMPRISE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE BASE OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY to a decibel level that is barely audible. ANY TIME you vote for a Democrat, ANY DEMOCRAT, you're unmistakably multiplying the capacity of these LEFT-WING FRINGE ELEMENTS to continue to promote their radical agenda, and to bring our Nation to its knees. A circumstance that no external power ever could have accomplished.

The ability to restore our Nation's status; and, to sustain this Sacred Land that the RATIONAL MAJORITY so proudly calls AMERICA, resides in your hands at the ballot box.

GREG NEUBECK

Hey, " Greg Neubeck ", all we wanted was a comment, not a comic book!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

I keep seeing drill and don't drill back and forth.

We need refineries people! We don't have the capacity to refine what we need. We don't have proper access to refineries if we did open up these locations.

Drilling's important but without refineries we have done little to solve the problem. We need to get the drilling started and become energy independent but we better be building refineries for the oil when it comes on line. We need them everywhere. With all these special blends we only further handicap the capacity we have.

The Dem's could OK the drilling tomorrow and still keep us paying through the nose. Write your representatives and tell them to drill for oil and build the refineries to process it. Then we can have energy independence.

It is about time Bush put the blame for our energy crisis where it belongs: squarely on the Democrats. The Democrat answer is always the same: alternative fuels, more efficient vehicles, etc. Those are great ideas but you are naive if you think that alone will solve the current energy crisis.We need to drill for more oil now, build oil refinement capacity, build more nuclear power capacity AND seek alternatives to fossil fuels. Obama and the like are dangerous because they are way too one dimensional. Way to say it like it is President Bush

ablur, The reason the focus is on drilling instead of refineries is that there is more profit in pumping oil. That may not do a whole lot for US consumers if the oil demand keeps pace with the added supply when it comes on line in 5-10 years, but it will certainly fill the coffers of the oil companies and oil-friendly politicians.

Bush has ruined America more than ALL other Presidents combined.

We used to "poo poo" when people of other countries told us they thought we were spoiled brats....now all we can do it hide our faces in shame, realizing our government is a terrorist organization that lives by the mind-set of globalization gone wild in its imperialist ways where we kill innocent people, so we can rape their land of all natural resources.

This is NOT for the people of America, the corporations will still raise their prices because their CEOs and their contacts they have in other countries need to be paid off.

The American people will just be raped of the "taxes" they give to the US Government.

The US Government IS the enemy of the American people, and the people of the world.

Having 730 military bases in over 100 countries is NOT for our benefit, not We the People, but the US Government and all it's friends who get tax right-offs, and pay less taxes than your average hard working American.

As an American, born and bred, I am disgusted at the US Government.

I want MY country back…..the one the Founding Fathers envisioned.

They warned over and over about the action of power hungry politicians and corporations...it is time we, WE the PEOPLE stop trusting them and realize that the US Government does not care if We the People die, as long as we die for their pocket books.

Corey Mondello
Boston, Massachusetts
www.CoreyMondello.com
7-30-08