Typical
If there was money to be made simply by burning down whole forests…
Bush says no magic wand to lower fuel prices
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Tuesday there was no “magic wand“ to bring down record-high fuel prices but would consider a proposal to suspend federal gasoline taxes this summer — an idea that has divided the 2008 presidential candidates.
Trying to calm anxious Americans facing $3.60 a gallon gasoline and soaring grocery bills, Bush again prodded Congress to open an Alaska wildlife refuge to oil drilling and allow construction of more nuclear and coal plants.
“I firmly believe that, you know, if there was a magic wand to wave, I’d be waving it, of course,” he said during a news conference. “I’ve repeatedly submitted proposals to help address these problems, yet time after time Congress chose to block them.”
Unlike Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain both have gotten behind the idea of suspending taxes on gasoline this summer. From what I’ve read, this proposal will not be of much help at the pump, will bring to a halt much needed road work, and will send even more money in the direction of big oil execs.
So, why do it? Because republicans (and republican-lites) take care of the wealthy. That is, and has always been, their number-one priority.
Another thing about this story that bothers me. I hadn’t even contemplated it, but I should have. It’s about Bush prodding Congress to open up the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration. Something republicans have wanted for a long time now, and will probably finally get their wish… seeing as how our democratic leaders lack chutzpahs and spines.
The people will be told, incorrectly, that prices will fall dramatically if oil can be brought up out of Alaska, and they’ll all be for it of course.
More coal plants? Great! Tell me again why I quit smoking?
This is so sad. Are there no boundaries republicans will cross, no wildlife sanctuary they will destroy, no endangered species they will erase from existence, to get to what they want?
Filed: Bush, Oil
