With republicans stumbling on attacking President Obama on the economy; corporations are now making more money than ever before, private sector job growth increases for 23 straight months, 3.7 million new jobs and unemployment numbers finally starting to drop, republicans now crack a smile when talking about higher gas prices as they try to place the cause of the rise on President Obama.
In a closed-door meeting, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) instructed fellow Republicans to embrace the gas-pump anger they find among their constituents.
“This debate is a debate we want to have,” Mr. Boehner told his conference on Wednesday, according to a Republican aide who was present. “It was reported this week that we’ll soon see $4-a-gallon gas prices. Maybe higher. Certainly, this summer will see the highest gas prices in years. Your constituents saw those reports, and they’ll be talking about it.”
The four Republican presidential candidates have also been blaming President Obama for the increase of gas prices to garner voter support; Newt Gingrich even said I have a plan to lower gas prices to $2.50 a gallon if you make me your President.
But twice in the last 12 months Republicans have voted to keep oil prices higher by lowering the available supply for American consumers.
In May 2011 House Republicans voted against an amendment to H.R. 1230 which was offered by Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), which would have made it mandatory that the “Oil Drilled in the United States, Stay’s in the United States” for US consumers and not shipped to other countries. H.R. 1230, would increase drilling in the United States, but would fail to bring down gas prices because the oil would be sold out onto the world markets at a higher price.
And on February 17, 2012, the Republican controlled House voted on a new Energy Bill, H.R. 3408, and in the Energy Bill was another amendment proposed by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) that would have barred exports of Keystone XL pipeline oil, and refined products such as gasoline and diesel fuel so it could be used by American consumers, and again Republicans voted it down.
The number one export for the United States in 2011 measured in dollars, was refined petroleum products such as jet fuel, diesel and gasoline. This shows that the United States has more supply then demand for refined oil products, and it also shows the oil industry wants to keep prices higher, and republicans are helping them with their legislation.
And Rep. Dean Heller (R-NV), who was recently appointed to fill a Senate seat and Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV), voted to keep gas prices inflated. Nevada residents are now paying an average price of $3.69 per gallon.
Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason.
By: David Phillips
Source: Examiner