Which Is More Important?
Senator John McCain is proposing that Offshore Drilling be a viable option for the United States in its efforts to reduce its dependency on Foreign Oil.
(CNN) — Sen. John McCain on Tuesday proposed lifting the ban on offshore drilling as part of his plan to reduce dependence on foreign oil and help combat rising gas prices. (source - CNN News)
There is no doubt that all nations need to adjust their thinking about Oil, about how much we consume, how much we need. However, to put the entire planet at risk, just seems rather narrow minded, and frankly selfish. The issue too is that this is a knee jerk reaction to the rampant rising prices of oil, that frankly isn’t coming from the Oil Producing Nations.
IT IS COMING FROM WALL STREET.
You know, the same folks that brought you the Sub Prime Mortgage Crisis? The one’s who have made the prices of homes drop as much as 50% or more, that have put over TWO MILLION HOMEOWNERS INTO FORECLOSURE.
John McCain offers a solution, but it really isn’t one. He offers a short term solution, that frankly has more risks to it than benefits, and as unbelievable as it is, some Governors actually are falling for it. I am surprised that the Governor of Florida would even consider such a plan, given the ecological balance required in his state, but then he is looking for a solution to high gasoline prices. Nice, but the high prices is the RESULT, not just the PROBLEM.
“It’s the last thing in the world I’d like to do, but I also understand what people are paying at the pump, and I understand the drag it is on our economy,” Crist told the St. Petersburg Times. “Something has to be done in a responsible, pragmatic way.” (source - CNN News)
This is the biggest problem our world faces today. The short sighted approach of our Leaders, as they look to score brownie points. Just as John McCain did with his ‘Tax Holiday Plan‘, this is just another doomed measure. It puts the environment at risk, and gives more money to the very people who are ruining the World’s Economy, the OIL INDUSTRY.
Address the problem, not the result of the problem. Today’s problem isn’t high prices for gasoline, but at how the market place manipulates the price, so that they reap higher profits, while we pay the price for their fancy new cars, their luxurious homes in the Cayman Islands. You don’t see the CEO’s of these huge companies facing tough times, taking pay cuts. You see their salaries increase, see them drive fancier limo’s, that are gas guzzlers. You don’t see Detroit coming out with hybrid vehicles, but worrying about how the sales of their gas guzzling SUV’s are slumping.
Truth is that we need to not drill for more oil, but to CONTROL ITS PRICE. That means REGULATING THE OIL INDUSTRY, so that idle speculators can’t make huge profits on gossip. Just look at the price per barrel, and tell me again how it is reflective of the world situation? The price is around $150 a barrel, and the Saudi’s are boosting production, but is it because it costs more for food to their starving neighbours?
NOPE, THEY DON”T WANT PEOPLE TO CONSERVE OIL.
They are actually afraid that there will be a drop in demand, as people either can’t afford to buy as much, or will turn to find alternative ways to heat their homes, to get to work. That is what is driving them, and so John McCain wants to open up offshore drilling?
Like to begin with, nothing is foolproof. There is no safety net in place to protect the Ocean’s from shoddy drilling operations. Risks of pollution only increase, given how IRRESPONSIBLE CORPORATE AMERICA IS. Think about it, these are the people who have brought you cheaper toys for your kids, you know the one’s laced with high concentrations of LEAD.
Do you really think they’ll be more protective of the Ocean’s and shorelines they are drilling off of, than they are of protecting the health of innocent children?
Table of contents for Republicans 2008
Ian @ June 18, 2008
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