Oil and Opportunity
By Pete Riehm
Mobile GOP, Chairman
"It’s the economy, stupid.” Do you remember hearing that in 1992 from the likes of James Carville and other Clintonites? Do you also remember that this rallying cry had nothing to do with improving the economy and everything to do with painting the bleakest possible economic picture under President George H. Bush? The point is that in 2008 we are in a similar situation with the economy or more precisely oil, but again, it’s really about power.
Republicans seem retarded in their ability to challenge the Democrats because we consistently get caught up in the dynamics of debating a false premise instead of challenging the underlying facts of an argument. Here we are again defending free market principles and becoming totally exasperated because in almost futile attempts to explain the concept of “supply and demand,” the press yawns and the public shrugs. At the same time, Democrats tip-toe through the tulips -– incessantly extolling the sun and wind and what a wonderful world it will be when the Democrats finally power the world with alternative energies. The press jumps for joy because no matter the cost or viability, the Democrat scheme is visionary and downright sensitive. Besides, it sounds “green” – and green is good, right?
Without a doubt, the economy has some problems and the price of oil is the biggest problem. Despite the talking heads, it is indisputable that more oil will make the price go down, but just arguing that point puts us back in the Democrat “fruits and nuts” garden defending dirty oil against other energy sources; the public only sees a food fight. The real issue is American freedom.
Republicans need to get “back to basics” as prescribed by Michael Zak, author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party. The average American citizen and most Republicans for that matter have lost sight of the fundamental right to the “pursuit of happiness.” When was the last time you pondered or anyone prevailed upon you how to preserve that right? The only way you can pursue happiness is when you have opportunities. The free market capitalist system provides every citizen opportunities. And folks, energy (that is, OIL) is vital to ensuring everyone has access to economic opportunities.
Republicans must expose the core issue and simplify the message. As the price of oil increases at some point if affects quality of life decisions. First, you cut out any extra driving or the family vacation. Then, you cut back on purchases as energy costs drive up all costs. And perhaps, your employment is affected as companies tighten their belts as demand declines in the face of rising prices. The overall effect is that you are losing access to opportunities; your right to pursue happiness is being impeded.
The Democrat solution is to give up more opportunity by giving the government more taxes (like Senator Obama’s Windfall Profit Tax) to research and discuss energy policies (please note, no action). The oily secret is Democrats could not care less if the price of oil ever comes down. The Democrats want bigger government, just ask them. If the price of oil sky rockets and citizens’ opportunities to pursue happiness become unaffordable or nonexistent, many Americans become concerned about how to meet their needs. Here is the big cue for Democrats; they rush out to assure voters that with adequate tax revenues they will ensure the government meets their needs. You know, being responsible for yourself, seeking opportunities, and pursuing your happiness can be so stressful. Just let the professionals in government handle it for you.
Some people are admittedly happy to let the government provide for them; we call them socialists or communists. But, that is not the American way! Oh, do the labels seem harsh? Consider that Congressman Maurice Hinchey, D-NY endorsed nationalizing ownership of oil refineries (18 June 2008). That is what you expect to hear from South American socialist and tyrant, Hugo Chavez of Venezuela; and by the way, he did just that -– check the results. Congressman Hinchey later backed away from the statement, but make no mistake, like Senator Hillary Clinton’s and Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ early admissions, the Democrats are not just comfortable with confiscating large segments of the US economy for the government, they are eager.
Regardless of the false impressions in the media, average Americans want the right to decide which kind of car to drive. We want the right to choose, and that only comes with the opportunity for prosperity. This is about one of our fundamental platforms: less government. Republicans need to seize the opportunity and tell the American people that Republicans will get government out of the way and allow oil exploration not just for cheaper oil, but because it is essential to providing economic opportunities and thereby preserving your right to pursue your happiness.
President Bush finally made a bold energy policy initiative on June 18 when he demanded that Congress immediately pass legislation to open up vast American resources for oil exploration in Alaska, off-shore, and oil-shale deposits throughout the West and Midwest. Democrats are already screaming and predicting environmental apocalypse. Republicans should not waste their breath debating the environmental issues. The Democrats could not care less about the environment and folks, the Democrats are not beholden to the environmental lobby. If anything, they exploit them. Democrats gladly take environmental lobby money and do nothing of substance, but they cunningly use environmental issues as a ruse to gain more government control and watch Republicans run down a false rabbit hole back to their goofy garden where the question is always clean solar versus dirty oil.
At more than $4 a gallon, the American people are fed up and they know their livelihoods are being threatened. They may not think of it in terms of their right to a “pursuit of happiness,” but they intuitively know something is fundamentally wrong. It is up to Republicans to take the lead and show the country the way ahead is through our own backyard. Yes, we need to explore and develop American oil resources, but that is only the means to the real objective –- provide economic opportunities to the people, so we can preserve our individual rights to the “pursuit of happiness.”
In 2007, the bipartisan cabal in Washington, DC tried to sneak amnesty for illegal immigrants into law. It appeared a foregone conclusion since it had Congressional and White House support. However, average Americans across the country rose up and let their voices be heard. Despite multiple attempts, the people prevailed, and the elite power brokers retreated. The people can prevail again this summer and force the Democrats to retreat or face a very problematic election issue. All Americans need to take a stand and demand action! No more research, no more studies, no more pie-in-the-sky projections for five to 25 years in the future. The need is now, the resources exist, the technology is ready, and so Congress must act NOW! Get out of the way and unleash American ingenuity! Open American resources to oil and gas exploration immediately!
Call, email, and write your elected officials and demand action; motivate your friends and family to act. Newt Gingrich is leading a courageous effort to let our government know how the people feel. Go to the website americansolutions.com and sign the petition today demanding congressional action to allow development of American energy resources.
Republicans should lead this movement. It is essential to our founding principles, consistent with conservative convictions, and certainly in the best interests of all Americans. We must learn to pick the right fight. America needs oil exploration to protect our freedoms and that can only be preserved when economic opportunities abound and that happens to include affordable energy. Remember, Democrats offer more government and less opportunity, and Republicans should offer more opportunity and less government.
