The No Vote Democracy…what have we gotten ourselves into July 30, 2008
Posted by Nevada Pundit in Congress, Democrats, Policy.trackback
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Republicans on Wednesday pressured congressional Democrats for a vote to lift a ban on offshore drilling before Congress begins its summer recess.
The partisan fight over offshore drilling has stalled efforts to pass legislation meant to lower high gas prices before Congress adjourns for its monthlong break at the end of the week.
Most Republicans want to lift a 1981 ban on offshore drilling, saying it will increase domestic oil supplies. But the Democratic leadership wants to keep the ban in place, arguing that more offshore drilling will have little effect on prices and could threaten the environment.
Democracy being repressed by the democrats. Yes I know that this is politics as usual in D.C. but does it strike anyone as strange that the call for debate and a vote is denied. Isn’t the foundation of our government based on these ideas?
I find it unusual that the best use of the democratic congress’s time is not solving or even trying to solve the problems that this country and its people have but to play campaign games with Rove and Stevens. While I do agree that wrong doings by any politician should be dealt with, I can’t see why the democrats feel persecuting these two should take precedent over the more pressing affairs of the American people. Of course, with election time coming near it would be easy to assume why. Democrats first, the public second, and republicans third (unless of course paying attention to a republican relates to democrats first).
Congressional rules should be changed to allow the free flow of ideas, allow debate, and allow a vote. Now I’m all for rules that allow for a structured debate but debate none the less. About the only thing worse than not allowing debate is this wonderful system the dems are using to actually pass laws with out a vote, that idea boarders on dictatorship.
On a personal note, I appreciate everyone who is coming to read my blogs (though I wish more would comment). To date today has had my most visits with 153 and counting. With all that said I am going on vacation for the next few days and won’t be able to post. I will be back on Monday with something new so please don’t forget me. Enjoy your weekend.
[...] Prices News » News News The No Vote Democracy…what have we gotten ourselves into2008-07-30 19:50:13Republicans want to lift a 1981 ban on … prices before Congress adjourns for [...]
Kudos to John McCain, who honestly expresses the importance, and his willingness of working across the isle, in order to get the country’s business done. McCain wants to place the needs of America above petty partisan politics. So far, Pelosi doesn’t seem to be willing to place the needs of America above petty partisan politics, nor does she want to listen to the will of the people, 76% of whom want immediate off shore drilling. For the good of the country, I hope she changes in this regard.
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.
I do agree with you Manny but the one thing that is deffinatly worse than off shore drilling is doing nothing at all. Our system is broken and needs fixing. We have companies trying to build alternative methods of energy and the EPA holding them up for 2 years because of a squrrel that lives in the area of the plant. We have an enormous amount of political pressure against building nuclear plants though other countries seem to do quite well with them. There is also the total lack of enthusiasm to reward companies for developing alternative methods.
Off shore drilling may not be the final answer but we have leaps and bounds to get to where we need to be and in the interm oil will be required, anything to help the American people during this interm should be explored.
Off-shore drilling may or may not have a visible effect on oil prices. This is not the issue, however, but rather as you have pointed out, the unwillingness to discuss the problem. In response to Manny’s argument about how little oil reserves America has, may I bring up the often ignored aspect of oil shale? I know we are discussing off-shore drilling here, not shale, but I couldn’t help mentioning it in response to his statement that “There is NOTHING we can do from the supply side that will meaningfully affect oil/gas prices.” We have 1.2-1.8 trillion barrels worth of oil in the form of oil shale in the Green River Formation of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. About 800 billion of those barrels are actually recoverable. Even so, it equals about 3 times the proven oil reserves of Saudi Arabia, and would last us a few hundred years. The oil recovery process from the shale is still costly, but even so, it would make more sense economically than the ridiculous prices of oil from overseas.
Excuse the rant, but when someone says we have no capabilities as far as resources go, I feel that I need to explain. We have the resources, we just don’t use them. And yes, I agree that we need to invest into long term energy solutions that are permanent and environmentally friendly. Even our shale reserves will expire eventually, and I’m not for pollution or harming the environment in any way.
I’m not 100% sold on off-shore drilling, but it most certainly should be on the table- not ignored as some Democrats would have us to do.
Thank you, and might I say, that although this is my first comment, I thoroughly enjoy reading this blog. Thumbs up