Nancy Pelosi, Congress and High Gasoline Prices
Posted: Tuesday, July 08, 2008
by Josh Greenberger
(June 2008) Nancy Pelosi will probably go down in history as the greatest enemy-from-within this c
Her claim of not opening more offshore drilling because energy companies are not using federal lands already open to energy development is pure nonsense. If energy companies are not using federal lands already open to them, what difference does it make if we open more sites for drilling? You can't hurt the environment by NOT drilling on more land.
And if the oil companies do decide to drill, why not open more land and give them greater opportunity?
Is Pelosi punishing the oil companies for not drilling before? What an infantile attitude for a grown woman, and especially for one in a position of power. It's like kindergarten time in Washington.
Pelosi is actually punishing all Americans with her foolish, immature shenanigans. We must put a stop to this. She works for the American people.
It's easy to blame our current predicament of high gasoline prices on insufficient oil production or export by OPEC. It's more difficult to blame ourselves for passivity and lack of resolve. There's no question that OPEC could help alleviate the situation. But we could do the same on our own, and, at the same time, stop the majority of our dependence on foreign oil.
If we can get our lawmakers to put aside politics and special interests, we could roll back the price of gas considerably. An example of the kind of nonsense that's keeping us from increasing our own oil production is the haggling over whether or not to allow oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
Objections to oil exploration in ANWR have come mostly from environmental groups who worry about endangering the caribou (reindeer). However, only 1.5 million acre, or 8%, on the northern coast of ANWR is being considered for development, while the remaining 17.5 million acres, 92%, of ANWR will remain closed to development. If oil is discovered, less than 2000 acres of the over 1.5 million acres of the Coastal Plain would be affected -- that's less than one half of one percent.
With the hardships Americans are beginning to experience over high gas prices, should exploration in ANWR even be an issue? ANWR should have been opened for exploration as soon as gas hit $2 per gallon.
U.S. companies are barred from drilling off the coast of Florida because of environmental concerns. Yet, China signed an agreement with Cuba to drill for oil in Cuban waters. Since Cuba is only 90 miles from Florida, and Jimmy Carter, in his legendary witless "wisdom," gave Cuba half those waters for economic purposes, we could see oil rigs as close as 45 miles off Florida's shores.
Which means, we'll likely be the recipient of whatever environmental damage that might come out of drilling for oil near Florida, but China will be the recipient of the oil.
To add insult to injury, there are reports that China is planning to slant drill. That is, while in Cuban waters, they can slant drill to tap into our oil reserves.
So, we get the pollution, China gets the oil, and, on top of that, China gets our oil. What brilliant environmentalist sees this as a solution to anything?
The Florida shores should have been opened for drilling by U.S. companies the moment China signed an agreement with Cuba.
We have an oil crisis in the U.S. because of twisted priorities. It's one thing to worry about the environment when there's little or no downside. But when the downside is extreme hardship to the vast majority of Americans, environmental concerns, unless they're an obvious imminent threat to life or health, should be put aside.
The notion that there are moronic, dimwitted individuals and groups who are more concerned about the reindeer in Alaska than Americans on Main Street, is just mind-boggling.
Almost as bad is the passivity of the average American. TV interview after interview of people on the street who are asked what they think of the high gas prices, respond to the effect of, "Well, we'll just have to change our vacation plans," or "We'll have to cut down on" this or that. There seems to be no outrage over our lawmakers buckling under pressure from a small minority of special interest groups.
When a horse is killed accidentally in Central Park, there is immediate outrage by animal activists about changing laws to protect animals. (I'm an animal lover myself. I've had cats, birds, a dog, and other animals.) I certainly do not suggest condoning cruelty to animals. But when animals elicit more consideration and respect than humans, that's not a love of animals -- that's a distorted sense of reality and an irrational contempt for one's fellow human beings.
If average Americans gathered in front of their lawmakers' offices in support of "human rights," protesting environmental-related restrictions on oil exploration with the same outrage as some nuts scream for animal rights, we could have cheap gas in the near future. (When gas prices go down considerably and our economy gets back on track, we can start worrying again about the environment.)
Average Americans far outnumber the individuals who comprise environmental groups. If we let our voices be heard in support of "human rights," it will undoubtedly drown out the opposition.
To do with less when you don't have to, makes no sense. I'm all for conservation of energy, loose leaf paper and whatever, even when they're in abundant supply. But teaching conservation is one thing, imposing deprivation as another. We have plenty of oil, let's use it.
Nancy Pelosi needs to resign. She is not serving the people of this country. Most Americans, democrats and republicans alike, want more offshore drilling. Who is Nancy Pelosi to deny the American people that right?
We must rally in support of getting Nancy Pelosi removed from office.
by Josh Greenberger
Josh Greenberger: As a computer consultant for over two decades, has developed software for NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies, AT&T, Charles Schwab, Bell Laboratories and Chase Manhattan Bank. Has appeared, in the form of letters and articles, in The New York Post, New York Daily News, New York Times, Village Voice, Jewish Press, Hamodia and others. Articles have ranged from humor to scientific to current events. Wrote a book disproving the theory of evolution (Human Intelligence Gone Ape a.k.a. Who Let The Apes Out, available in stores and online. Has written several screenplays.
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You said it great!
Now how do we get rid of the bum!!!!!
Not sure how to get rid of her. I just hope this country is still around by the time we vote here out of office.
Great article Josh and right on the button. Unfortunately, it appears that her constituents cannot see her lack of intelligence and responsibility. All the rest of us can do is vote for congressmen who will tangle with her and try to force her to have a little sense. She has already said that she is now the most powerful woman in America. Someone needs to slap her powerful face.
how can we work at getting rid of nancy pelosi?Nancy Pelosi is an insult to women in politics. She thinks she is above the parties, laws and the people of America. She needs to leave Washington for good. I can not believe she has held office this long.
Yes helpful. When can we vote her out? Also Reid from NV needs to be voted out special interest money is controlling this country Not the Public. Wrong. Please also post fast legal way for general public to revolt against this behavior.
"post fast legal way for general public to revolt against this behavior"Don't know that. I was hoping someone reading this would know.You can start, though, by calling her office at 202-224-3121 and simply ask her to comply with the will of the American people.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid ( along with Obama ) are the most dangerous people in the country.I couldn't agree more. These people should be ashamed of themselves. Don't get me wrong i'm not happy with the republicans right now either but the bottom line is they're all failing and Nancy and Reid are leading the failure pack.Please be sure to let them know directly by emailing them. I'm not able to paste a link in here but do a google search for "CAGW porker of the month"There you can send an email to her and ReidSend them notes to let them know how you feel!!
Thank you for writing this. I wrote an article on this subject, but you are very good at reasoning. We do need to IMPEACH Pelosi, if that is possible for her "throwing to the curb" the interest of the American people. According to Foxnews this past week she made $250,000. in investments betting on high oil prices. That is deplorable behavior. Well written article.When I wrote this article I had no idea that Nancy Pelosi was benefitting from drilling restriction. Now that it's coming out, it seems there's something wrong with our laws.
A judge cannot over on a case in which only one person is involved when there's a conflict of interest. Yet a decrepit woman like Pelosi can make policies that effect hundreds of millions of people, although there's an obvious conflict of interest.
Something has to be changed here. One woman is ruining our country.
Thanks for your response.
Sorry, I forgot my name on that response - Josh Greenberger
Your position, your opinion is as current today as the day you wrote it. Nancy Pelosi needs to go for the good of our Country.
The people of Massachusetts just voted in a Republican, and incredulously, Nancy Pelosi comes out saying, "We are still going forward with Health Care." In otherwords, "I don't care what the American People want....they are going to pay for this anyways." I cannot believe the arrogance. Please, people of California....VOTE HER OUT. What will it take? The collaspse of the economy altogether? Thanks for letting me speak. It's obvious that Washington isn't listening.
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