Residual Forces

I forgot it was trip night at Keegans last night and since my meeting got done early, I headed down there. I didn’t win. Congrats Watercooler! Boo on me because I was supposed to write this up. 

Here are some ramblings about the conference call from yesterday that Congresswoman Bachmann organized on Energy and Fuel Prices. (Rep. Michele Bachmann (MN-6), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN-7), Rep. Eric Cantor (VA-7), Rep. Phil Gingrey (GA-11), Rep. Tom Price (GA-5), and Rep. Adam Putnam (FL-12) are expected to join as well as a number of very notable bloggers (and me) from across the nation. )

I’m going to hammer out a quick summary here and then head to the cabin. This may be a bit of a stream of consciousness, but it will have to do.  

Each of the 6 Congressmen got a couple minutes to address the group. They each touched on different aspects of the Energy crisis and gave us some solutions they are proposing. 

As they all spoke, I was jotting down notes like mad. A few of the details that really need to be known in this debate are:

Our last refinery was finished in the late 1970’s. At that time we had nearly 350 refineries. Today, 40 years later, we have just under 150 refineries. The has produced a restricted ability to even increase refined fuel supplies, so every crude price hits us at the pump even more. 

These high prices are not just hitting the SUV drivers. These high prices are hitting everyone from families schools, businesses, and every one who uses energy. (note to all humans: That’s you) 

Our own policies are forcing us to put our future in the hands of people who hate us. We are dependent on foreign oil that comes from the dark corners of the world where those leaders hate our guts. Some of our politicians have been saying for years that we need to be independent for a decade and a half. That not only means renewables, but also increasing our oil supplies domestically. We need a full spectru, approach to solving our energy crisis: nuclear, domestic oil, renewables, clean coal, shale oil, etc. 

More proof on just how much these high energy prices are costing us can be clearly seen in fuel costs for Government agencies. The Department of Defense saw a $9 Billion INCREASE in their fuel costs. NASA’s went from $4.5 million to $18 million in a year. 

No Federal agency can research or use anything but old fashioned bubble up oil. The environutters have gotten bans on using some of the new sources for oil, such as shale or tar sands, because they may possibly have a slightly higher carbon content. Now that may have been reasonable when gas was $2 a gallon. In reality, no one probably cared much. But at $4 a gallon, is it?

Deputy Whip Eric Cantor started off his segment by saying they are hearing from constituents who are getting info off the blogs, and he thanked us for doing what we do. 

One of the very important things for people to keep in mind is that the Democrats are using rhetoric, not reason in this debate. People like SOTH Pelosi are saying it would take 10 years for the oil to hit the market. And sure, that is true, but the affects of the United States actually returning to more Domestic oil supplies would instantly lighten our dependence on rogue corners of the world, not to mention lower the speculative nature of pricing. 

The oil market wouldn’t be held hostage to despots, dictators, or the threat of one nut job blowing up a pipeline somewhere and lower supply overnight and unexpectedly. If the US could add a steady and reliable share to the world market, it would help stabilize the prices. 

We have to start doing something now to help the problem that is hitting every single working family in this nation, in a fast and responsible way. The average family is seeing a $100 a month increase, just on groceries, every month. That increase in food costs, is largely in part, because of higher fuel prices to grow, process, and transport the food. The time for us to act is now.

All 6 Congressmen “want energy prices down”. $2 gasoline is their goal, and we won’t even have a chance of getting their if we don’t try. 

We need to find a solution for this real crisis and pain that is on the backs of the American family. The other side wants the Federal Government to take over the industry and that should make your jaw drop. Congress and special interests have caused this problem by hand cuffing us. 

OK, I have to get on the road to the cabin. I know this is pretty fragmented, but I need to be on the road asap. This is just through the opening statements. I still have the Q&A to go. But chew on this today if you’re salivating at the chance to believe Democrats and their rhetoric. 

We cannot wait for the Manhattan Project in energy. That could take decades. We need lower energy prices NOW. The longer we wait, the farther off in the future the solution is. While Democrats are dragging their feet, you and I will be paying more for fuel and energy. Worse than that, we’ll be forced to LIVE LESS because our own Government is standing between us and lower energy prices. - AAA