August 6th Morning Bell Overlooked Until Now
August 30, 2008
In looking back through our archives, we found this political commentary on Obama’s lack of poll numbers despite the fact that this is supposed to be a Democrat year. His position on oil is one of the reasons.
Political experts across the country keep asking why Barack Obama continues to conspicuously fail to cross the 50% threshold against John McCain despite the fact “Democrats enjoy the most favorable political winds since at least 1976.” It may have something to do with the fact that the top issues on voters’ minds this year are energy and the economy, and voters just are not buying the left’s solutions.
Look closely at the laundry list of plans the left has put forward (from both Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s House and Barack Obama’s campaign): higher taxes on oil companies, new restrictions on oil commodity markets, forcing oil companies to drill where there is no oil, releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, free money for everybody, increased fuel efficiency mandates, increased infrastructure spending, government investments in electric cars, etc. What do all of these “solutions” have in common? None of them increase our energy supply.
The latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) numbers show the U.S. currently has 986,000 megawatts of capacity to supply the nation’s demand for electricity. EIA predicts that over the next 20 years, the U.S. will need another 292,000 megawatts to keep the economy running. To meet that demand, EIA sees 54% and 36% of that new capacity coming from coal and natural gas power plants. Currently, solar, wind and geothermal power contribute only 1% of our nation’s energy . There is simply no way these sources can produce enough electricity to meet the energy needs of a growing U.S. economy.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is telling reporters that the left has just recently “found our sea legs” on the energy issue. Schumer’s favorite new tactic: “a new theme portraying GOP support for drilling as a giveaway to big oil companies.” Like all the other tactics the left has tried on energy, this one also does nothing to increase energy supply. But Schumer does have a point, the United States needs a lot more than more oil drilling to meet its energy needs. But only conservatives are offering solutions that include more energy.
The plans coming from John McCain and congressional conservatives have their differences (McCain still does not support drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge), but they both share one thing in common: they take an “all of the above” approach to expanding U.S. energy supply. Many conservatives are less than impressed with McCain’s arbitrary target of 45 new nuclear power plants (we prefer a free market approach to reviving the nuclear industry ), but at least McCain is paying more than lip service to nuclear’s future.
Obama’s energy plan calls for “1 million Plug-In Hybrid cars” by 2015. Where does he think these cars will get the electricity needed to run? We suggest he start looking in all the federal lands that his environmental allies have restricted from natural gas production. The EIA estimates there are 83.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in these areas alone.
There are a lot of links in this article to studies that have been done to support the statements, so we suggest you go to Heritage.org and search for the article entitled “Supply Matters”. – FedUpEditor
Pickens Asks For Your Help
August 30, 2008
T. Boone Pickens is running an ad about Iran changing over its vehicles to run on natural gas so they can sell their oil to the US. NBC is refusing to run this ad, so he is asking for your help:
NBC is refusing to run one of our strongest ads, and I need your help in showing NBC they can’t control what we can or cannot say.
The 15-second ad talks about how the government of Iran is making a MAJOR effort to use natural gas in their vehicles so they can free up $120 a barrel oil to sell to us while we are doing nothing.
I need you to click on the link, watch the ad, then send it to five of your friends. Please ask each of those five people to send it on to five of THEIR friends.
This is important. Let me know what you think.
— T. Boone Pickens
API Answers Questions About Lower Gas Prices
August 30, 2008
Recenly the prices of gasoline have dropped without congress doing anything. We’re certain that’s what they were hoping for.
During the summer months it is common for gas prices to drop. So it’s no surprise that Nancy Pelosi did not bring forth any legislation to open drillingn the cost per gallon started dropping on its own anyway. THIS IS NOT A SOLUTION and is not over by a long shot.
Recently I posed as question to Jane Van Ryan at API as follows:
FedUpEditor: I see gas prices are going down all by themselves without the help of congress (I’m sure Nancy Pelosi is pleased at this). Our cost of gas has dropped to just over $4 a gallon here in California. This is happening even though [the price of] oil continues to rise. Can you give me a sound reason why this would be happening? My guess is that people are changing their driving habits and thus increasing the supply which would bring down the price in a free market. Are there other factors at play?
Jane Van Ryan: …the short answer to your question is that oil prices have fallen more than $30 a barrel from their high in mid-July, and the price decline is being reflected at the pump. You also are correct in saying that demand is down, which also can put downward pressure on price.
Pelosi’s Flip Comments At The Democratic Convention in Denver
August 29, 2008
Showing a total lack of respect (common for Nancy Pelosi), her flip reponse to the serious debate of “Drill Here, Drill Now” was insulting showing she is not serious about solving this issue and needs to be removed from leadership.
PatriotPost reports:
Congressional Democrats are pushing for a four-day workweek to “limit unnecessary commuting” in these “times of high gasoline prices.” The extra day off will not come for ordinary Americans, however, but federal bureaucrats. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said, “I believe the federal government should do all it can to ensure that federal agencies and departments are appropriately reducing gasoline consumption.” We think a little extra time off for bureaucrats could be a really good thing… but for other reasons.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) lived up to the dignity of her office this week by taunting pro-drilling protesters in Denver. In answer to signs that read “Drill Here, Drill Now,” Pelosi coyly replied, “Right here?” and “Can we drill your brains?” Heaven knows we wouldn’t find much between Pelosi’s ears.
To wit, the Speaker doesn’t even know what fossil fuels are, declaring Sunday, “I believe in natural gas as a clean, cheap alternative to fossil fuels.” Memo to Nancy: Natural gas is a fossil fuel. We think she’s just confused because she and her husband have invested so heavily in natural gas—to the tune of $50,000 to $100,000. Move along, folks. No conflict here.
This woman is dangerous in her position as speaker of the house. Pelosi MUST be removed from this position before she destroys what is left of the Democratic Party! – FedUpEditor
McCain Finds A New Hero – Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin!
August 29, 2008
Senator John McCain today named Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, as his vice-presidential candidate. We support his absolutely great choice. First of all, she’s a woman. Second of all, she’s smart. Third of all, she’s pro drilling!
In a quote from NewsMax today:
Palin tells Newsmax that it’s high time Congress allows the development of Alaska’s wealth of oil and gas. She doubts global warming stems from human activity, and she considers herself both a fiscal and social conservative.
Senator Mitch McConnell Has a Petition
August 28, 2008
From an e-mail from Senator Mitch McConnell from Kentucky:
For some time now, Democrats in the Senate have refused to provide hardworking Americans with needed relief from high gas prices.
Speaker Pelosi adjourned the House without allowing a vote on off-shore oil exploration. And Democrat leaders in the Senate followed suit by blocking consideration of my common sense plan to lower gas prices, the Gas Price Reduction Act.
Please join me in calling on Congress to act. Sign the petition today.
My Republican colleagues and I aren’t going to sit around and wait on Speaker Pelosi and Leader Reid. Americans from all across the country are demanding action – now. High gas prices are straining our economy and forcing families to make painful choices.
That’s why I authored and introduced the Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008. And it’s my reason for writing today.
Please join me, 44 Senate co-sponsors and more than 25 thousand petition signers in supporting a plan to lower prices at the pump.
Sign my petition in support of the Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008 right now.
It’s crucial to demonstrate strong public support for this measure in order to force the full Senate to act now on solutions that will reduce our dependency on Middle Eastern oil and lower prices at the pump.
The Gas Price Reduction Act uses common sense conservative principles to encourage Americans to “find more and use less” by:
1. increasing offshore oil exploration
2. harnessing the untapped potential of oil shale
3. encouraging development of electric cars and trucks
4. strengthening our ability to prevent speculators from driving up the price of oil
You’d think the Democrats in the Senate would overwhelmingly support obvious reforms such as these. But they are opposing any form of increased domestic energy production and exploration that would create new American jobs and reduce our dependence on Middle Eastern oil. That’s why grassroots support is so critical, and that’s why I need your help.
Please sign my petition in support of this bill right now.
Your help in our battle to pass this desperately-needed bill today will mean more affordable American energy in the future.
So please let me hear from you today.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Senator Mitch McConnell
United States Senator
Response to T. Boone Pickens – Pickens Plan
August 28, 2008
T. Boone Pickens is an oil man who has turned his attention to wind energy. So instead of making all his millions of dollars on oil, he is now going to add to those millions with more money from his (federally subsidized by you and me) wind mills. I am all for free enterprise, so he should be able to make as much money legally as he can, but does he really need yours and my money to succeed?
Additionally, his commercials are misleading. Although he says drill, drill, drill (and we agree), he also says buying foreign oil will be the biggest transfer of wealth in the history of the world. of all people, he should know that this is NOT a TRANSFER of wealth, but an EXCHANGE of wealth. We are exchanging dollars for oil. Simple as that.
A TRANSFER of wealth would be if we were sending money to other countries and getting nothing in return (similar to taxing the wealthy who produce jobs, goods and services and turn that money over to help those who do not produce and demanding nothing for it).
Boone is a smart man and is buttering both sides of his bread by meeting with both political parties and getting them on board. Pelosi an Obama have accepted the wind portion of his proposal, but do not agree with the drilling portion (though Boone says they are listening). However, Pelosi wants natural gas which also comes from drilling… Not sure how she thinks that is going to happen… McCain says he is on board but will not drill in ANWR where there IS oil… Get it?
Until they come around and agree to ALL PARTS of T. Boone Pickens Plan, they are not going to solve diddley squat. Don’t doubt me!
FedUpEditor
Boxer Doesn’t Get It! Surprised?
August 28, 2008
From a “canned” letter to her contituents dated 8/28/08:
Thank you for contacting me regarding high gasoline prices. I appreciate the opportunity to hear your views on this important issue, and I share your concerns.
Gasoline prices reached an all-time high this year, and costs for food and other basic necessities are rising drastically. As millions of Americans struggle under this increasing burden, oil companies continue to report massive, record-breaking profits – $123 billion last year alone. This is unacceptable, and I want to assure you that I am working hard to lower prices and protect Americans from price gouging.
I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of S.3044, the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008. This important bill would impose a windfall profits tax on oil companies to discourage price gouging and to help consumers offset the high costs of energy products, punish any country or company colluding in setting the price of oil, and limit excessive speculation in oil markets. Unfortunately, the Senate minority has blocked further consideration of S.3044. [So let us get this straight. You are going to punish the same people who are bring us oil by imposing a windfall profits tax on them? First of all, it has been shown that there are NO WINDFALL PROFITS in the first place which is why your stupid bill failed. Corporations pass increases in costs including taxes to their consumers anyway. They need to make profit to stay in business and pay their people. Are they not entitled to do that? Afterall, nobody is trying to set a price control on the Senate's pay scale! - FedUpEditor]
In addition, I strongly support S.3268, the Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act of 2008. This vital legislation would help to lower energy prices by increasing regulation of energy futures trading and eliminating excessive speculation. S.3268 would provide more staff, resources, and authority for the Commodities Future Trading Commission, the agency charged with regulating commodity futures. This bill is currently being considered by the full Senate. [Once again, speculators are not the problem. Tey are only betting that losers like you will not increase domestic production. As is evidenced by the FREE MARKET, prices have come down recently for both oil and gasoline! - FedUpEditor]
At a time when so many Americans are struggling to make ends meet and having to make the impossible choice between buying food for their families and filling up the gas tank, it is crucial that we pass both S.3044 and S.3268. [NO, NO, NO! - FedUpEditor]
Opening up drilling in the United States is not the best way to achieve lower gas prices. For example, drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) would provide us with six months of oil at most, and at great cost. Furthermore, it would be more than a decade before we saw any of that oil. Ultimately, we need to move away from our dependence on oil and gasoline by developing renewable and efficient energy technologies. Right now, we need to go after the big oil companies that are holding Americans hostage with their exorbitantly high prices. [At whose great cost? Not yours. Oil companies will make that decision and have decided there is a HUGE reserve in ANWR and would produce over 700 BILLION barrels of oil! - FedUpEditor]
Americans deserve better than oil companies that gouge consumers in order to make huge profits, and Congress needs to take action to help alleviate this crisis. Rest assured, I will continue working for the passage of S.3044 and S.3268, and I will keep fighting to help Americans enjoy fair and reasonable energy prices. [Blah, blah, blah, blah. We say check her portfolio for wind and solar energy stocks! - FedUpEditor]
FROM THE NCGOP BLOG: PERDUE’S RIDICULOUS CLAIMS ON DRILLING
August 28, 2008
From North Carolina’s race by Linda Daves, NC Republican Party Chairman:
Much has already been made of Bev Perdue’s complete about face on offshore drilling. When once she stood “100 percent” opposed to it and said it would never happen on her watch, she now says she has always supported it. For those experiencing massive cognitive dissonance standing right now at the intersection of those two counterfactual statements, I will attempt to wade through her argument. Apparently, Bev Perdue is for offshore drilling… in Texas. Unfortunately, her staff forgot to remind her that she is actually running for Governor of North Carolina. Your position on offshore drilling in Texas is somewhat inconsequential in the race for that office. However, wanting to have it both ways and be able to say that she stands with the 70 percent of voters in North Carolina who want to open our shores to safe, responsible deep sea exploration, she is deliberately trying to mislead North Carolinians. This is truly the most cynical type of politics: betting that you can say one thing, mean another, and hope the voters are too uninformed to notice.
When a politician shifts positions to suit the political winds of the day, it causes one to wonder about their leadership when we are considering elevating them to an office and stature that will cause them to have immense pressure from all sides each day. We want to know that the person will stand for us and not for those who would whisper in their ears with plans not in the best interests of North Carolina. When a politician does not actually change her mind, but merely manipulates the facts to make a claim to deliberately mislead voters, we can know with certainty that person will do anything to get elected. A person who will do anything to get elected will do anything when elected and you cannot count on that person to look out for you. Can voters trust Bev Perdue? Not as long as she continues to deliberately mislead them and hope they don’t figure her out before Election Day.
Once again, it is important for us to support conservatives where ever they are, regardless if they are in our state or not. – FedUpEditor
More On Pickens Plan
August 27, 2008
We get e-mail updates from T. Boone Pickens about his new “plan” for our future energy needs. See our story from the Morning Bell on where natural gas comes from!
His message is about natural gas as well as wind energy… but Democrats are taking that as no new drilling, which could not be further from the truth. Go to Pickensplan.org and see for yourself. His mantra is DRILL, DRILL, DRILL!
