More Fuel on the Fire Under the GOP’s Feet
By Janet Hook
WASHINGTON — Just when it looked like the political climate couldn’t get worse for President Bush and the Republican Party, more storms have gathered.
This month’s abrupt rise in gas prices is fueling new worries about the party’s prospects in the fall elections, which have been roiled by controversy over GOP policies on immigration, the federal budget and Iraq.
So when Congress returns today from a spring recess, Republicans face a political landscape even more challenging than when they left town two weeks ago after failing to pass legislation that would crack down on illegal immigration and curb domestic spending.
Since then, gas prices have shot up to more than $3 a gallon in some places. Demonstrations against GOP immigration proposals have continued across the country. A poll shows Bush’s approval ratings at new lows — and the Republican-led Congress’ even lower.
The American people must realize oil prices are not the fault of the Administration, but rather variables in the market, 30 years of Democratic Party obstructionism and tax raises, and environmentalist fiascos.
Oil prices, first and foremost, are a product of the world oil market. Increased demand worldwide as summer nears in the northern hemisphere and increased need from China and India make the need for oil greater than every before. Increased demand inherently leads to increased prices.
Second, Congress and state legislatures have periodically increased federal and state gas taxes to finance roads and other domestic budgetary needs. They have put taxation ahead of the people and fiscal responsibilities, like cutting spending. If Congress decides to pass legislation raising taxes on oil company profits, companies will surely pass the cost unto consumers, resulting in increased gasoline prices at the pump.
Third, obstructionist Democrats complain about the need to decrease dependence on foreign sources of energy, yet they block much needed legislation to allow more offshore drilling, more refinary production, and drilling in the Alaskan tundra. In fact, America has not built one oil refinary in the last 30 years and liberal politicians in Washington have continuously denounced and blocked legislation allowing drilling in the Alaskan wilderness. Here we can see liberal politicians don’t really care about the people and would rather play politics with the nation’s energy priorities.
Fourth, environmentalists have championed ever increasing regulation passed by Congress, placing restrictions on octane and various mixtures of gasoline. This results in higher gasoline prices and increased red tape for oil companies.
If the American people want gasoline and oil prices to decrease, they must understand the factors behind the high prices and lobby their respresentatives in Congress to deal with the rising costs. If Congress does not reform itself, focusing on pro-growth solutions to energy policy, prices will continue to rise with no end in sight.
