America Embraces Energy Independence
By Carol Devine-Molin
June 19, 2008

Most Americans understand that we need to make a concerted national effort to end our dependency on expensive foreign oil, and that the process must begin immediately. A recent Rasmussen poll indicates that 67 percent of the American public is in favor of offshore oil drilling, with only 18 percent against it, and 15 percent undecided. Amazingly, even 46 percent of "liberals" support offshore drilling, which is a testament to the level of desperation that Americans are experiencing across the working and middle class spectrums. Simply put, in these challenging economic times, Americans want affordable energy that we, as a nation, can produce and control from its inception. There's nothing complicated here. But are America's elected officials listening to the unwashed masses?

Let's start with the fact that one of the major tragedies of this generation is our feckless political class that has failed to provide proper leadership on many fronts, including economic and energy issues. Politicos from both parties generally have been self-serving, short-term thinkers, more concerned with their re-election prospects and feathering their own nests, than focusing upon the long-term, well being of their constituencies. As a consequence, the average American is now contending with: a) prohibitive levels of taxation that go hand-in-glove with "Big Government", and, b) the high cost of energy with its ripple effect that negatively impacts the overall economy.

Granted, it would be easy to cast sole blame on the political Left and their cohorts, the radical environmentalists, for our current dilemma. These liberals were the obstructionists that prevented our nation, over a period of decades, from taking the necessary actions to become energy independent. However, the Republicans, who held sway in Congress for a number of years, were supposed to be the adults in Washington, and yet they failed to provide the necessary vision and initiative that might have helped to avert this current energy disaster.

The Democrat Congressional powermeisters should take heed: Discontent is brewing. Americans, including many among the Left-leaning working class, are thoroughly frustrated, and they're on the verge of throwing a national hissy-fit in response to high energy prices and the high cost of living. To paraphrase Ronald Reagan, the Democrats are going to feel the heat before they see the light. To the credit of Republican politicians, at least they grasp the magnitude of the citizenry's current discontent, and they're responding appropriately to the emerging crisis. Noteworthy, President Bush is spearheading efforts to lift the ban on offshore drilling, which is also being supported by GOP presidential candidate John McCain. Moreover, Republicans are wisely advocating for a tax break on gas this summer, in attempts to provide some immediate relief to the public. Out-of-touch Democrats just pooh-pooh the tax break idea, calling it a "gimmick".

That being said, Democrats are strangely behind the curve on the energy issue, as they continue their march-in-lockstep collaboration with the environmentalists. Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama is recommending that the oil companies be hit with a "windfall profits tax", which is not going to ameliorate the energy situation. As underscored by John McCain, "all a windfall profits tax will accomplish is to increase our dependence on foreign oil and hinder exactly the kind of domestic exploration and production we need."

Oil companies have a profit margin of about 8 percent, which is reasonable by any standard, even if the price of oil goes up. But more to the point, if businesses are subjected to tax increases, they'll pass their costs along to the consumers. In other words, the average American will get stuck paying more for energy if Mr. Obama's tax idea is implemented. It appears that Mr. Obama doesn't appreciate how basic business operates. Moreover, by taking a slap at a respectable capitalist enterprise such as the oil industry, Mr. Obama runs the risk of being viewed as a demagogue that's eager to play on people's fears and prejudices. Are we to believe that the oil companies are "bad players", since they're making money in the current economic environment? Most Americans won't see it that way.

Remember, oil prices are essentially being driven up by growing demand on the world markets and lack of supply. Ironically, America has the resources and ability to produce an ample energy supply, if it so chooses. The sad truth is that we're experiencing an energy shortage here in America that has been created by the politicians and special interests. What we need in this nation is a certain level of "consciousness raising", to borrow a phrase from the Leftists, and a political movement to ensure energy independence.

Since our foreign oil addiction is an entrenched, systemic problem, it's best to hit it with everything at our disposal in order to break free. First, this nation needs to be fully committed to energy independence, demanding that the entire political class, including the Left-wingers, participate in this endeavor. If politicians attempt to stymie the effort, then we have to phone, send telegrams, send emails, send faxes, and bring pressure to bear, and if all else fails, vote the rascals out. And, as quickly as possible, let's build oil refineries, lift the moratorium on offshore and artic drilling and exploration, tap into Western oil shale, undertake gasification of coal, build hydrogen fuel cell cars (such as the Honda FCX Clarity), develop and utilize new flex-fuels, utilize nuclear energy, utilize solar and wind power, provide tax incentives when appropriate, engage in focused research and development, and do whatever if takes for America to become energy independent. This is more than an economic issue; it's a national security issue, too.

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.