We’ve tried, but we just can’t take it anymore!

 Now I am the first one to admit that gas prices are getting a little ridiculous.  I am currently paying over $50 to fill up my tank and I drive a Corolla.  But I am not at the point where the high gas prices have clouded my judgment and sense of reason.  Today in his radio address Bush blamed congress for high gas prices for four reasons:

1)      Our inability to do offshore drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

2)      The lack of oil refineries, we haven’t built a new one in 30 years.

3)      The inability to drill in Alaska.

4)      The inability to tap into oil shale rocks in the Rocky Mountain region.

Now all of these things sound like great ideas if you completely disregard any effect it might have on the environment (For the love of God people, I don’t think I can handle another global warming movie).  But how stupid does Bush think we are?  Any of these steps would take years to enact and even longer to see any benefit from.  Now he blames the democrats in Congress for rejecting his ideas, however what he failed to mention is that Bush Sr. prohibited offshore drilling back in 1990 (I could swear he was a republican).  Also, he signed a bill that blocked oil shale leasing with last years spending bill.  So, does he want to admit that he does not pay attention to stuff he signs, or he just doesn’t care.  His speech should have gone something like this…

                I want to drill for oil in Alaska and in the Outer Continental Shelf.  I also want to take oil shale out of the Rocky Mountain region.  It won’t bring any short term relief but it may help in the long run.  There are a few hurdles blocking this including a bill that I signed, and prohibitions imposed by congress as well as my father.  I’m not going to outright blame the democrats but, every cause needs a villain.   

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080621/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=8420284