Posted by
John Crutchfield on Thursday, July 17, 2008 7:24:45 AM
This week, President Bush lifted the executive order banning offshore oil exploration. The move may be nothing more than symbolic however, because congress must add it's blessing as well. Given Nancy Pelosi's long standing opposition to the idea, it's probably safe to say the proposal is DOA. Liberals in congress will fight this at every turn and propose their own remedies for higher energy costs, none of which will add one drop of energy to help meet our needs nor bring the costs down.
It's understandable why those in the pockets of environmentalists would want to cover their backsides when it comes to increasing domestic oil supply. The last thing they want to do is appear to their constituents as enabling evil oil company executives to further increase revenues. Meanwhile, frustration at the pump grows to the point where people are willing to consider even the most inane remedial proposals. There's an old Yankee saying that applies to situations like this. "Do something, even if it's wrong."
Politicians pandering to an agitated electorate have threatened to punish oil companies for having the gall to make a profit in these tough economic times. But oil companies don't set prices. The market sets the price based on the principle of supply and demand. It's no more complicated than that. Still, some think a windfall profits tax will teach oil companies a lesson. Here's a tip for consumers. If that happens, expect to pay a little more at the pump.
Government has no right to limit the profit of any company in a free market economy and absolutely no power to do so in the global marketplace. If it did, we'd be enjoying two buck gas. If China is willing to pay more for oil than we are, don't be surprised to see OPEC supertankers sailing east instead of west. Which brings us to the real question we should be asking. What if we can't get all the oil we need?
It's important to remember that nearly everything we eat, drink and wear comes to us via truck, train and airplane, all of which run on some form of fossil fuel. Our homes are heated by fossil fuels or byproducts thereof. Imagine if that supply was interrupted indefinitely.
How long can you heat your home on the remaining contents of your oil tank? How long can you survive on the food in your refrigerator-freezer? Faced with the prospect of starving or freezing to death, you'd probably grab your family and head for greener pastures - if only you had some gas. Perhaps we'd be better served to stop obcessing about the price of gas and turn more attention to the availability. Therein lies the greatest threat to our country.
We've allowed environmental extremists to hijack US energy policy via the lie that is global warming. Environmentalists have successfully pressured congress into preventing offshore exploration for domestic oil leaving this country vulnerable to any number of international threats, including those which could ultimately bring about our demise. If our oil supply was suddenly cut off, this country would collapse in a hurry.
Members of congress are directly responsible for the dangerous position we find ourselves in today. They have not acted in the best interest of this country and it's citizens. Their treasonous actions have led America to the brink of possible destruction by rendering us at the mercy of those who would just as soon see us dead. Of course, none of this bothers far left members of the democratic party and socialists everywhere who despise capitalism and the American way of life.
As emerging markets grow in places like China and India, we can expect to see ever increasing energy problems due to competition for existing oil supplies. By preventing the increase of our domestic supply, liberals in congress are waging a stealth war on America - quietly enabling the enemies of this great nation.