Congress could take steps to ease gas prices

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Sunday, November 23, 2008 5:58:15 AM

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Congress could take steps to ease gas prices Sunday, July 20, 2008
Associated press -- Responding to Americans' anger over gas prices and the housing bust, President Bush is stepping up pressure on Congress to open up offshore oil exploration and work to restore confidence in the housing finance industry. "This is a challenging time for families across our nation," Bush said Saturday in his weekly radio address. "I know many families are worried about rising prices at the pump and declining home values." Bush recently lifted an executive ban on offshore oil drilling. He said it's Congress' turn to act. "The only thing now standing between the American people and the vast oil resources of the Outer Continental Shelf is action from the United States Congress," he said. With soaring gas prices, public opinion on energy issues is shifting in favor of a more permissive stance on drilling, even though resistance remains to the idea of opening the Atlantic and Pacific coasts or the eastern Gulf off Florida's beaches to oil and gas companies.
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	Sunday, July 20, 2008 Associated press -- Responding to Americans' anger over gas prices and the housing bust, President Bush is stepping up pressure on Congress to open up offshore oil exploration and work to restore confidence in the housing finance industry. "This is a challenging time for families across our nation," Bush said Saturday in his weekly radio address. "I know many families are worried about rising prices at the pump and declining home values." Bush recently lifted an executive ban on offshore oil drilling. He said it's Congress' turn to act. "The only thing now standing between the American people and the vast oil resources of the Outer Continental Shelf is action from the United States Congress," he said. With soaring gas prices, public opinion on energy issues is shifting in favor of a more permissive stance on drilling, even though resistance remains to the idea of opening the Atlantic and Pacific coasts or the eastern Gulf off Florida's beaches to oil and gas companies. Visit Associated press for full article

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SHEP20715 Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,036 Points:188,885 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: 7/24/2008 12:58:58 AM	Ignore SHEP20715 Report Abuse
	drill now
priceit Champion Author Portland Posts:8,497 Points:1,585,395 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 2:55:38 PM	Ignore priceit Report Abuse
	Crusin, how does the US Congress regulate what goes on in a sovereign country like England? Any desk we close or over regulate will just locate off shore and be beyond any US control, would it not?
HawaiianGuy Champion Author Idaho Posts:1,384 Points:1,477,665 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 1:35:24 PM	Ignore HawaiianGuy Report Abuse
	I just can't believe that Congress is dragging their feet on this...but then again, maybe this isn't too surprising. Just you put a Congressional payraise on the burner and see how fast they move on THAT one.
CrazyQ Champion Author Washington Posts:12,446 Points:1,462,375 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 1:32:54 PM	Ignore CrazyQ Report Abuse
	It's like Pres Reagan said, "Government is the problem." Take a bow, Congress!
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,261 Points:240,150 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 12:17:59 PM	Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse
	congress should take steps, period. to the east; hopefully
Stratotanker Rookie Author Dallas Posts:19 Points:79,980 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 10:40:25 AM	Ignore Stratotanker Report Abuse
	I agree with CruisinLinda EXCEPT for the 35 million acres of lease not being drilled. While Cuba, with China's help, will be drilling off our shore and Brazil has just found an enormous field off its Atlantic coast, we need to drill where there is the highest likelihood of finding oil that is quickly recoverable. I doubt that the 35 million acres is all that easily recoverable oil. We know there is readily recoverable oil in ANWR as well as under Gull Island near Prudhoe Bay where there are capped wells already drilled. [Google: "Gull Island"] That field needs to be opened and a pipeline linking it to the Alaska pipeline built. That is doable in the short term. In the longer term, the off shore ban should be lifted. WE know how to drill responsibly, now lets do it. Ask yourself: Who would you rather have drilling off your shore: the US oil companies, or some Chinese company (read: Chinese Government)? [Edited by: Stratotanker at 7/21/2008 11:41:35 AM EST]
drclark Champion Author Tampa Posts:1,213 Points:179,150 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 10:38:38 AM	Ignore drclark Report Abuse
	At least Bush has put it into the hands of this idiotic Congress. It does not matter what you believe his reasoning or ploy for this move is. He has done it. The important thing, is - What is Congress going to do with it? I believe they are going to keep killing it until they hopefully get Obama into office and then try to give him Credit for it. Congress is willing to let the American people suffer just to make a political point. Bring it to the states and let the people of that particular state vote on it. Majority wins. This is a democratic society (?) but we are allowing the two party elected officials to make all the decisions. Let the American voices be heard!
CruisinLinda Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:4,238 Points:863,385 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 10:29:01 AM	Ignore CruisinLinda Report Abuse
	Did Bush forget that Congress opened up the western Gulf of Mexico to oil companies two years ago? Does he not know that oil companies have 35 million acres under lease they are not drilling? What Congress CAN and NEEDS to do is to make the Commodities Futures Trading Commission members earn their salaries and start regulating oil futures exchanges. Congress also has to repeal the Fall, 2000, Enron Exemption that deregulates over-the-counter oil trading. Congress also needs to make the commission regulate off-shore branches of commodities exchanges like the London Loophole, the London oil-futures exchange of the Atlanta-based ICE.
NedW All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:628 Points:161,230 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 10:14:45 AM	Ignore NedW Report Abuse
	Before we say that Congress won't do anything, a well deserved accusation, let's make sure we are all calling and emailing our representatives.
krucker All-Star Author Austin Posts:569 Points:423,080 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 10:10:43 AM	Ignore krucker Report Abuse
	YEAH RIGHT!!.........Congress will let us all suffer for the sake of some endangered AMOEBA!!!
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:9,670 Points:721,060 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 10:03:39 AM	Ignore tomok Report Abuse
	Yeah! Congress could do something but what can or will they do? *** Produce more alternative fuels using NON FOOD sources. ***Limit the import of OPEC oil and their world terrorism paid with oil money. Drill and produce oil from the east and west coasts. Build more nuclear plants. Produce more renewable energy from solar, wind, tidal, thermal, and hydro sources. -----Support the grid and drive electric vehicles. etc., etc., etc., etc. Yeah! Congress could do something......
Grismer All-Star Author Ontario Posts:567 Points:145,575 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 10:02:11 AM	Ignore Grismer Report Abuse
	Congress could do many things but will do nothing.
kidmikey37 All-Star Author Texas Posts:514 Points:137,770 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 10:02:08 AM	Ignore kidmikey37 Report Abuse
	hurry up already
china211 Veteran Author Long Island Posts:497 Points:84,400 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 10:01:29 AM	Ignore china211 Report Abuse
	Than they should do it and stopputting all this red tape in the way of it all. We have to do it now!!!!!
Blackice Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,802 Points:497,610 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 10:00:17 AM	Ignore Blackice Report Abuse
	roadkillGA I don't think any trees died to print this story. ;)
NedW All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:628 Points:161,230 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 10:00:03 AM	Ignore NedW Report Abuse
	I'm for drilling, increasing refining capacity and, anyone who's running against Nancy Pelosi, this Nov. And, anyone who says that drilling wont help for years, hasn't worked in the industry and likes to speak before they know what they're talking about.
Hawkeyejd All-Star Author Ontario Posts:507 Points:282,750 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:59:36 AM	Ignore Hawkeyejd Report Abuse
	OK
Gerund1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,152 Points:828,780 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:58:33 AM	Ignore Gerund1 Report Abuse
	Yeah, drill, drill, drill. Problem is that it will be years before any effect is felt.
roadkillGA Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,302 Points:145,315 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:54:37 AM	Ignore roadkillGA Report Abuse
	DRILL
roadkillGA Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,302 Points:145,315 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:54:16 AM	Ignore roadkillGA Report Abuse
	How many trees are distroyed to print the same old news while letting oxygen recycleing reduced? DRILL
hangupanddrive All-Star Author Michigan Posts:705 Points:915,960 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:53:59 AM	Ignore hangupanddrive Report Abuse
	That will never happen, democrats do not like to work.
copperhead8 Champion Author Boston Posts:5,501 Points:1,208,095 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:53:07 AM	Ignore copperhead8 Report Abuse
	Just do something.
highlandlassy All-Star Author Michigan Posts:877 Points:92,775 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:52:49 AM	Ignore highlandlassy Report Abuse
	Gassie. Read about the possible tax hike yesterday. What a crock!!!! "suppose to help the job market". Haha
Shiff Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,377 Points:378,930 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:50:37 AM	Ignore Shiff Report Abuse
	Drill, but also fund research on alternatives
Mickie08 Sophomore Author Jackson Posts:162 Points:69,645 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:47:32 AM	Ignore Mickie08 Report Abuse
	Drill away but keep it here. Congress won't do anything to make Bush look good. Look for this if OBama becomes Pres.
AlaRedNeck Champion Author Kansas Posts:1,182 Points:211,850 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:46:21 AM	Ignore AlaRedNeck Report Abuse
	Thats it nd73, blame it on the democrats, what were the republicans doing the previous 10+ years when they controlled the congress? Rubber stamping Bush. New drilling isn't going to help us for years and even then it's only a temporary fix.
flatcoatfun All-Star Author Orlando Posts:655 Points:196,655 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:45:01 AM	Ignore flatcoatfun Report Abuse
	Yea congress could do a lot - but I'm sure they wont.....
nightriderKY Rookie Author Lexington Posts:59 Points:20,605 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:43:56 AM	Ignore nightriderKY Report Abuse
	yep
nd73 Veteran Author Grand Rapids Posts:338 Points:216,870 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:43:29 AM	Ignore nd73 Report Abuse
	C'mon, you liberal Democrat Congresspeople!!!! Reinstate free enterprise. Remove the restrictions on drilling for oil in America!! We could be oil independent within years.
Gassie1 Champion Author Akron Posts:4,407 Points:566,810 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:43:19 AM	Ignore Gassie1 Report Abuse
	Congress is now considering adding to the tax, not reducing it!
acknot All-Star Author Seattle Posts:882 Points:644,525 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:43:01 AM	Ignore acknot Report Abuse
	Congress? Help? You gotta be kidden' me!
RC_RACER Champion Author Tacoma Posts:1,234 Points:269,925 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:37:42 AM	Ignore RC_RACER Report Abuse
	yesterdays news, same response.
Schwartzmdja All-Star Author Oklahoma City Posts:776 Points:195,865 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:36:52 AM	Ignore Schwartzmdja Report Abuse
	read this yesterday
RochBear Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,758 Points:505,580 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:35:59 AM	Ignore RochBear Report Abuse
	Congress (the opposite of Progress) should open up ALL areas of this country to allow drilling. But Congress should also be promoting alternative energies such as WIND and SOLAR. They could do an Energy tax credit, for improvements to homes, and businesses. They should mandate that all new construction meet Minnesota energy code (That's good insulation and windows, high efficient furnaces and A/C) Insulation not only helps in the winter, but it keeps the Heat out in the summer too. If the houses in CA were built to MN standards, you could heat them with a candle, and cool them with an ice cube. Congress should also cut regulation on wind and solar "farms". Don't be like John Kerry and fight a wind farm. That is complete idiocy! If congress is serious about allowing the USA to be energy independant, we need to encourage a move away from oil, to things we have. (coal, Nuke, wind, solar, geo-thermal, tidal, Hydro-electric, and bio fuels.)
bejamaluthopa Rookie Author Florida Posts:95 Points:152,405 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:35:38 AM	Ignore bejamaluthopa Report Abuse
	Consider investing in alternative fuels instead of the corrupt oil market. Alternatives lead to cmpetition and this in turn to freedom of choice...
CTgasman01 Sophomore Author Connecticut Posts:102 Points:23,755 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:35:03 AM	Ignore CTgasman01 Report Abuse
	No Congress is the problem.
canescommuter All-Star Author Greensboro Posts:668 Points:159,195 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:33:17 AM	Ignore canescommuter Report Abuse
	Congress is part of the problem. Sitting on their thumbs as the dollar declines worldwide, enacting legislation that benefits their friends and contributors, playing politics rather than doing their jobs of truly representing the people's interest or the greater good. Impotent blowhards.
throttle Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,593 Points:1,023,775 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:32:24 AM	Ignore throttle Report Abuse
	They could, but they won't. It's easier just to blame Republicans.
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,535 Points:1,015,720 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:30:42 AM	Ignore Don20 Report Abuse
	Yes they could, but they won't. They also could have two years ago.. but they did't
MetroManiac All-Star Author Rochester Posts:891 Points:90,115 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:30:33 AM	Ignore MetroManiac Report Abuse
	political ploy after 8 years with no energy policy. [Edited by: MetroManiac at 7/21/2008 10:30:45 AM EST]
Chris46 Champion Author Dayton Posts:6,150 Points:715,100 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:27:53 AM	Ignore Chris46 Report Abuse
	Yep. They could do that is so inclined.
tbybee Veteran Author Omaha Posts:302 Points:109,575 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:25:40 AM	Ignore tbybee Report Abuse
	If Mexico, China and Cuba are going it, why wouldn't we?
masrod Champion Author Iowa Posts:28,067 Points:1,059,355 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:24:40 AM	Ignore masrod Report Abuse
	Bush is trying to pull a bit of a bait and switch on the voters. He argues that we can solve our energy problems by offshore drilling for oil, but what he leaves out is that the oil will belong to the oil companies, not the United States, and that this relief will take over a decade to arrive and will last for 3 years. Why is Big Oil only drilling on 10,000,000 acres of the 41,000,000 acres of leased land they already have? They want to keep their record profits all for themselves. Bush is an Oil Man. Unite for Change! Obama 08!
my3sons Champion Author New York Posts:1,595 Points:857,770 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:23:58 AM	Ignore my3sons Report Abuse
	Congress could have done something back 2 or 3 years ago too
WillyG Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,426 Points:478,195 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:23:39 AM	Ignore WillyG Report Abuse
	Yeah, baby steps !
rbdesigns Veteran Author Modesto Posts:492 Points:171,565 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:18:42 AM	Ignore rbdesigns Report Abuse
	We all need to write to our Congress and tell them to vote for drilling or they don't get your vote. If enough people do that then maybe it will make a difference.
Bigbearliving Veteran Author San Bernardino Posts:278 Points:58,790 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:16:45 AM	Ignore Bigbearliving Report Abuse
	They could but won't and who is going to stop them?Not one reader here has the power to change congress.All we can do is whine about the prices.Well that is what this forum is about.It sure is'nt going to change anything.
Terryforegolf All-Star Author Lansing Posts:693 Points:344,370 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:15:59 AM	Ignore Terryforegolf Report Abuse
	To little to late. Big OIL will still control the prices based on volume they produce.
z1000 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,255 Points:187,720 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:14:29 AM	Ignore z1000 Report Abuse
	Geesh, we're a nation of wimps. Let's stop buying foreign oil and suck up the consequences. So you can't go to the mall on the weekends, waah. Suck it up for the good of the country.
krell58 Champion Author Missouri Posts:4,428 Points:881,430 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 7/21/2008 9:12:57 AM	Ignore krell58 Report Abuse
	Watch the Energy Non-Crisis. http://tinyurl.com/33l95c