New Energy Legislation vs. Greed

The House of Representatives in Congress recently passed energy legislation that would provide for a 40% increase in fuel efficiency for new cars and light trucks by 2020 for a fleet wide average of 35 mpg.  It will be up to the Senate now to reconcile any differences they may have before it can be sent to Mr. Bush for his signature.

 

It has been reported that Republican Rep. Joe Barton said that if the bill clears Congress, he would recommend that Bush veto it.  Some Republicans have complained that the bill does not do enough to increase domestic production of oil.  Can you imagine that?  With $90 barrel oil, $3 gas, our import of oil up over 36% since the Arab embargo of 1975, and now we import over 60% of America consumption and some Republicans say that. 

 

Their problem is they want more corporate welfare for big oil.  There is enough reasons for big oil out there to increase production right now.  Big oil is so connected with foreign producers, they invest money overseas that could be used in the United States.  In a nut shell, it is called GREED.  The United States is going through the most sustained period of price increases in oil and gas and all because of the war in Iraq and speculation.  And who are the speculators and the ones who benefit from this speculation?  Yea, you guessed right.  And now they are working on the latest speculation----war in Iran.

 

The bottom line is that the oil and gas industry does not need any more corporate welfare deals to increase production or drill new wells when we are importing 60% of our needs.  Greed runs in their blood. 

Pelosi and Reid Say "No More" To Bush

Finally, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are taking a firm stand against the Iraq War. Both Pelosi and Reid plan to present President Bush with a $50 billion measure for the Iraq War with the condition that the President begins to bring this disaster of a war to an end. This will be the toughest worded spending bill for the Iraq War since Democrats took control of Congress back last November. And if Bush goes against the wishes of the American people and vetoes the spending bill, he will not get his (and I emphasize "his") war funded for the rest of this year and possibly longer.

Even though I am enthralled that Democrats in Congress are finally taking strong, progressive steps to end the Iraq War debacle, I must admit that I wish it didn't come to this. I have stated in the past that it is the Republicans' responsibility to do what the American people want and bring this war to a safe end. Democrats have been fighting to end this war for years, but they simply do not have the numbers to overcome the Republicans. Pelosi and Reid do get unfairly blamed for not ending the war. Americans should not get angry at the Democrats for not ending the war, they should instead put pressure on the Republicans. It is the Republicans who keep the war going; not the Democrats.

With that being said, it is pretty clear that the Republicans weren't going to do the right thing. They refuse to break with their President and they continue to support a failed policy. So what were Pelosi and Reid going to do? I certainly do not think that funding should just be cut off all together. The troops, as Joe Biden has artfully pointed out, deserve to get the equipment that they need. Yet, at the same time, I feel we are doing them just as much harm by not ending this war. So what are we going to do?

Well, in Pelosi and Reid's proposal, I find a sort of "middle-ground." The Democrats are not cutting off funding for the troops; if anything, they are helping them. It is now on George Bush's hands to decide what course will be taken. Will he defy Congress and the American people yet again by continuing the war? Or will he finally recognize that the war is doing nothing but harming America in every way possible? If Bush does the former, he will be in essence cutting the funding off himself. It will then be the responsibility of the Republican's in Congress to override Bush's veto. If they don't, then they will be to blame for not supporting the troops. The Iraq War is no longer a partisan issue; Americans want it to end. And as usual, it is the Democrats who fight and who will continue to fight for the American people. I pray that the President and the GOP do the right thing and support this bill and begin to bring our brave men and women home...where they belong.

Cindy Sheehan: For Real?

In early July 2007, anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan made a bold statement: either Nancy Pelosi will introduce articles of impeachment against Bush, or she would run against Speaker Pelosi in 2008 as an independent. After waiting a month to see if her ultimatum would be met, Cindy Sheehan announced that she is indeed running against Pelosi in 2008.

The question is, is Cindy Sheehan for real? Can she make a successful bid for the House of Representatives? All indications so far are no, that Pelosi's popularity in San Francisco will allow for another easy win. But don't be surprised if Sheehan does better than expected. San Francisco as a whole is utterly anti-war. If Sheehan can raise enough money, she could prove to be a bigger threat to Pelosi than some are saying. Not only will she get money from anti-war citizens in San Francisco, but also from anti-war activists around the country. In the end, Pelosi will prevail, but Sheehan is going to make her work harder then ever at keeping her job.

Now for my take on Cindy Sheehan. I feel so bad that she lost her son. She has a legitimate reason to be upset at the Bush administration, as we all do. But there is a point where you have to stop. At one point Sheehan said that she would rather live under Chavez than Bush. She has also made remarks hinting that 9/11 was an inside job. She should be continuing her anti-war activism, which helped bring attention to the war, instead of making foolish statements and saying anything to get in the press. There is no reason for her to blame Pelosi or the democrats when it comes to the war or impeachment. You can bet that this war would have been ended and both Bush and Cheney would have been impeached if it was possible. But with just the narrow led the democrats have in Congress, it is impossible for them to override a veto and it would be impossible for the Senate to impeach Bush. And Sheehan knows that. Cindy, blame the GOP, but support those who are fighting for what you too are fighting for. Thats the way to get things accomplished.