Energy compromise elusive as recess looms

What should one expect from our Washington "Oilman" when asked what to do about gas prices other than oilman's answer calling for new offshore drilling? Even when that oilman already knows that his answer will have no material impact on the current price of gas. The broader question to be asked is will Americans go back to consuming more gas if gas prices go down thus in the end perpetuating our dependence on oil whether foreign or domestically produced. The point is that if we are to clean-up our environment as part of any real effort to start seriously dealing with the problem of global warming, then we must prepare ourselves to consume less oil regardless of its source. And if we do not lead the start on the path to consuming less oil by replacing it with alternative sources of clean energy, we can hardly expect the world-at-large to follow suit. New drilling offshore is not the future path to be followed because it will lead us down the same old path which has brought us to this critical point in the first place.

The Democrats are not about to give up their control over corporate America. You cannot produce anything in this country without energy. They control the energy through environmental legislation thereby controlling corporations. You don't align with them, they pass tighter restrictions. They are using their legislation and army of lawyers, environmentalists and organized labor to intimidate corporations. Think about it. Why is cheaper to send a product to Mexico or China for production and assembly and have it shipped back, than it is to have it built in America. The Democrats are doing what is best for the Democratic Party, NOT what is best for America and they will continue doing it even if it brings the country down with them. A Republic form of government cannot transition to socialism when half the country opposes it.

cssfoster below, repeats the Democrat's mantra: Drive less. Pay more. Because of the environment. In other words: Reduce your freedom. Spend your time waiting for the bus. Pay more for everything that uses energy, which is everything. The Democrat Party's answer to our energy shortage: Reduce your standard of living. csfoster, again parroting the lame logic of the Democrats says drilling for more oil will do nothing to lower the "current price of gas." That argument is sophistry. Which alternative energy form will immediately lower our "current" price of energy? The only thing that will bring cost of energy down is to provide more energy. What will give us more energy soonest? Solar? Wind? Batteries? Or more oil? Protect our freedoms. Keep our standard of living high. Bring gas prices down soonest. Drill NOW.

Finally, I understand. The Democrat Party team on Capitol Hill led by the Reid/Pelosi team has made a decision that Republican legislation for new oil drilling in productive areas will not be allowed to be voted on in the US Congress and/or the US Senate. The Republican legislation is to make America oil independent. The Democrat refusal to allow this vote is a vote against some 70% poll approval of drilling for oil, supported by Americans. Capitol Hill Democrats are ruling more like a Socialist and/or Communist system rather than an open Democracy. Obama, apparently, is supporting the Democrats’ leadership decision. The Democrats continue to punish the American consumers with extremely high gasoline prices; causing other consumer goods to be met with escalating prices, also. In addition, the Democrats decision to refuse for new oil is costing our total economy in existing jobs as well as newer jobs. Democrats say they want to allow more drilling; however, their decision is to allow drilling in dry, empty, or less productive locations. American voters must remember on November 4 and hold Democrats directly responsible. Just say “NO” to Democrats on Capitol Hill! Consumers have been punished enough.

Frankly, I am glad the Democrats don't get it because it will cost them dearly in November. Their arrogance, particularly that wicked witch of the west (San Francisco) Pelosi is petrified of an up or down vote in the house because she knows it will pass. Her denial is almost as bad as Nobamas relative to the surge in Iraq. The sad part is that her seat is safe due to the loony left voters in sanctuary city and it's environs. However, she is putting some common sense Democratic congressman in real danger with their constituents. I hope they get some backbone soon. HELLO!

It's unfortunate the parties can't get together, and unfortunate that current gas prices have undermined what should be a chance for us to join with every other first-world nation in adopting a responsible energy plan. I understand the frustrations of those commenting, I really do. But there is nothing about drilling in new places that is going to help the country or the world. It would just prop up a system that's broken. Look, we sit on 2% of unknown reserves, and we consume 25% of world's oil. There is NOTHING we can do from the supply side that will meaningfully affect oil/gas prices. We can only truly make a dent from the demand side, by reducing our dependence on OIL period. If we allow off-shore drilling now, and the oil companies sink billions into setting up the rigs and infrastructure for extraction, there is NO way we will be able to change the broken system. And this is quite apart from the facts that (1) lower demand is good for the planet, (2) new drilling won't bring new supply for several years, and (3) there are still frequent off-shore oil spills, even with dramatic technological improvements. Sorry, just my humble opinion. Don't let today's gas prices and political posturing divert you from the fact that the entire system of where we get our energy needs to be changed.

Cornelius, as if "Drill NOW" is not the Republican mantra. As it is, I am an independent as in an independent thinker. And for that matter, a critical thinker unlike those who spout band-aid answers in response to complex long-term problems. Understand that oil is not a renewable energy resource and furthermore that the world's greatest oilfields have pass their production peak. Whether in 20 or 50 years depending on demand, the world supply of oil will be seriously depleted and during that time, the price of oil will have increased to the point that $4.00 to $9.00 gas prices and our "current standard of living" will have become a treasured memory. This will be the world's case and such a poor case will have been further compounded by the sad growing impact of continued environmental degradation which will have occurred all during that time. This will be the end result as a result of us and everyone else not having shifted to clean energy when such a shift was pivotal and would have made a real difference. Recognize we are at that pivotal point and that the use of "we" applies to everyone not just "us" Americans. No where have I suggested that clean alternative energy will reduce gas prices today. But I am suggesting that it is time to seriously focus on undertaking the transition to clean energy today rather than putting it off to a point in the future when it is to late. It is time to make an investment in an alternative clean renewable energy future instead of continuing our past conspicuous consumption of a non-renewable resource. And as a critical visionary thinker, I know that making that hard investment and leading that necessary transition will pay-off in a future realized higher standard of living for my children sooner than later which is better than never as a consequence of remaining stuck in place today dependent on the losing mantra of "Drill NOW".

csfoster Do not be so narcissistic, you are not a crtical visionary thinker, if you were you would see the flaw in your argument. Has it occured to you that we can drill now (actually we should have drilled 8 years ago when Bush wanted to tap ANWR) start to ease our current financial issues, while in the mean time develop new technology? You said in 20-50 yrs the oil will be depleted. Well I hope that in that time man can figure another way to run cars, airplanes, etc. So why not find a temporary solution while trying to solve the long term problem? In the mean time the Democrats need to get off their butts and allow this drilling to help out with the short term.