The Democrats--Hillary Clinton being an exception--thought they had everything set this year. An unpopular Republican incumbent, a weak economy, an unpopular war (less so now that we are winning in Iraq), and most importantly, a candidate who can convince his supporters to click their heels so Hope can be delivered to them.But $4 a gallon gasoline is jeopardizing Barack Obama's coronation. The Democrats have fumbled, and the GOP has the ball. It's time to run with it and run up the score against the Dems.
The editors of the National Review Online analyze:
In both houses of Congress, the Democratic leadership has offered gimmicky solutions to distract the public from the drilling issue. First, Democrats argued that the oil companies had already leased millions of acres of public land that they weren't using to produce any oil. That effort foundered when the oil companies pointed out that they weren't producing oil on this land because they hadn't found any when they explored it.
Then, Democrats pointed the finger at commodity traders, accusing them of driving up the price oil through "excessive speculation." This effort didn't gain any traction, either. Traders don't conspire to drive up prices; they try to anticipate movements in supply and demand — so of course, as U.S. demand has slowed (and as an increasing number of U.S. policymakers have argued for increasing supply), the price of oil futures contracts has fallen.
NRO rightly dismisses the bi-partisan "Gang of 10" compromise--which seems like another attempt to further boot ethanol production, in addition to allowing offshore drilling. Food prices are already going up because of high diesel fuel costs and the increasing acreage of land for corn intended for ethanol refinerys.
And now the exciting conclusion:
There is a simpler solution. The congressional ban on drilling has to be renewed each year, and the current ban expires in September, so congressional Republicans and President Bush should fight to stop the ban's renewal. The Democrats are backpedaling like mad. Their presidential candidate doesn't have a coherent position and has resorted to Carter-esque lectures on energy conservation. Meanwhile, the speaker of the House is telling vulnerable members of her caucus to support lifting the ban.
The Democrats find themselves on the wrong side of the most important issue to Americans right now. Now is not the time for a compromise. It's time to keep applying pressure.
Keep up the pressure. It's what the Ameriacn people want.
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5 comments:
John writes, "Food prices are already going up because of high diesel fuel costs and the increasing acreage of land for corn intended for ethanol refinerys."
...Your unproven claim about "land for corn" doesn't explain why the cost of vegetables and grains other than corn are increasing; though the higher cost of fuel does.
But good job regurgitating the corporate talking points handed down from on high.
PS - Obama's still up in polling composites. His lead has fluctuated as method-of-error data points float around, but it's been a steady lead despite all the attacks (and lies) Sen. McCain and his supporters, such as yourself, have thrown his way.
If things are so rosey for the red party, why hasn't McCain caught up or even taken the lead?
"Your unproven claim about "land for corn" doesn't explain why the cost of vegetables and grains other than corn are increasing; though the higher cost of fuel does."
Because as more land is taken for planting corn for ethanol, other crops get pushed out. Lower supply of other crops with the same or increasing demand = rise in prices.
You have FAR more patience than I, John.
There's another factor bearing on the cost of food too that some won't want to consider...
The democrats ranted and raved about raising the minimum wage. What are these people paid? It's a business expense that will be passed on to the consumer, isn't it?
Good Lord, Rob! Here we go...Tomatoes in Stockton, CA are shipped to, let's say Denver for the DNC, by truck. If diesel costs more, the trucking company, intentionally or not, passes those costs onto Safeway or whoever.
Anon...
That is true. One of the things that surprised me about my Kansas trip last summer was how few wheat fields I saw. That's because more farmers are planting corn, which by the way needs more water than wheat. If there is less wheat planted, then the price goes up--supply/demand, etc. I asked Kansans about this, and my anecdotal evidence is backed up my research.
Thanks GB. Although, I've been working long hours at work, which will become longer until I leave for the RNC on August 31.
Could be I'm just plain tired.
John:
I acknowledged your point on diesel fuel and I agree with it. Perhaps you are tired -- you keep responding with remarks that clearly illustrate you're skipping over things I've written.
Anon and Grey:
I understand the point regarding some grains being supplanted by corn but a lot of corn is also used for sweetener as high fructose corn syrup. Soy beans had a similar effect when farmers figured out they were more profitable to grow.
Note, however, that grains like rice, orchard fruits and even most veggies require completely different soil and growing conditions from corn or similar grains which may be supplanted by corn. I don't if you shop at any farmer's markets in summer (there are several in our area on the weekends so we stop by when we have time) but prices for those items have jumped across the board, whether from an Illinois peach orchard, a Michigan blueberry farm or a Wisconsin garlic patch.
Fuel is the main reason for the jump.
Many conservatives and "big oil" excuse-makers have been railing against ethanol as if it were the sole source when it so clearly is not.
Grey, to your specific point about the minimum wage increase I've talked to many of the farmers (they own their orchards and fields) and they already pay over minimum anyway because they can't get workers out near them. But that's only when they need the help. Most of them operate the bulk of their fields as a family.
Try again.
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Have fun at the RNC, John! Sounds like you and I are both having crazy work schedules as summer wraps up.
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