Oil, Drilling, and the Demise of the Republican Party

Is anyone as confused as I am about the latest craze over energy and drilling?

Over the past two months, I’ve noticed that both in the House and Senate, Republicans have been pushing hard to promote a new energy plan.  A couple of rogue Republicans have even flirted with “green” policy, in the hopes of roping liberal support for policies that are anything but green.

Before I get too political, let me say that on the issue of guns I completely follow and agree with the libertarian position on handguns.  On the issue of abortion, I completely understand the conservative position, although I personally support more of a ‘live and let live’ approach.

American Oil, Energy, and Off-Shore Drilling?

When I think about reasoning my way to off-shore drilling, oil and an “American” plan for improved energy and the environment, outside of greed and profiteering, there is little rational justification for the recent surge of oil propaganda.

Corporatists and puppets of the oil lobby are constantly pushing for Congressional action on this matter.  I’ve noticed that the howls have become louder over the last couple of months, much more than anything we’ve seen in the previous decade.  Though I really despise Harry Reid’s leadership in the Senate, I think he is right in his belief that this “off-shore” drilling issue is a fraud.  It truly is manufactured and intended to distract Congress from achieving anything significant prior to the big election this fall.  Think back to February and last August when the House and Senate were on the verge of implosion over FISA and national security matters.

If I recall, both chambers of the house were urged to work fast or risk mushroom clouds as was the case prior to the arrival of George W. Bush.  So where is this urgency about oil and energy coming from?

Acts Of Desperation Or Legitimate Political Issue?

Could it be that Republicans know their days are numbered, why else would oil become the “issue of our time?”

If you believe I’m exaggerating the Republican stance on this issue, just tune to C-SPAN one of these mornings or put it on before you go to bed, they often aire Senate and House business throughout the day.  See for yourself how insane the push for oil drilling is, regardless of the bill or amendment that is being considered!

Farm subsidies, what about oil?  Child Health-care, what about oil?  Providing adequate care for the wounded veterans of Iraq, what about oil?  And they wonder why Americans are ready to shift to the most liberal America we’ve seen since JFK arrived on the national scene.

The pendulum of political power is swinging back towards the left and Republicans have no one to blame but themselves.  One decade ago, Republicans had it made.  With the Bill Clinton sexcapade, they had the largest bag of tricks that any political party has enjoyed in American history and somehow they managed to blow it.  Republicans are clearly preparing to be ousted in 2008.

Instead of fighting to regain the House and Senate, Republicans have conceded defeat via their actions.  Nothing else could explain why they are shamelessly promoting the agenda of a big oil lobby that has subsidized them throughout Bush’s presidency.  All any Republican can do now is stall, create diversions and label any motions for impeachment as the workings of a mad man.

Finally, there are a few legitimate reasons to drill on American soil, but none of them are sincere.  You could start drilling tomorrow and I guarantee you within a matter of five years, oil speculation and price gouging will continue to push prices that will hurt consumer spending.  That will hurt commerce and rising costs to makeup losses will diminish consumer confidence.  Then we’ll once again be in familiar territory where we will witness high-profile corporations and major industries tread the waters of Bankruptcy.

The only consolation that Americans can have with respect to oil is that with the incoming Liberal era and Barack Obama’s leadership, there is a strong chance that these companies will be reregulated and oversight may be enough to deter some of the corruption we’ve seen with respect to corporate fraud.

Fending off the arrival of a more liberal agenda.

The Republican Fox News network should be enough to help efforts that will prolong the painful forthcoming truth,… that America is anti-War, anti-torture, pro-Privacy and pro-Constitution for that matter.

The complete demise of the Republican party in the House and Senate is necessary because Republicans can filibuster until the end of time.  Additionally, the current Democratic leadership is unprincipled and desperately working to acquire the numbers they  need to steamroll the political arena.  No doubt, the rise of liberalism will most certainly require the arrival of the 2009 political season, but it will happen so we all better brace ourselves as America attempts to reinvent itself.

I hope that I am wrong about the path the Republican party has taken, but I won’t hold my breath.  The insistence that off-shore drilling is derailed by liberals whom enjoy wrecking the economy is non-sense.  The fact is simple, Republicans have lost their way and are no longer a party of libertarian thinkers.  Republicans can’t even pretend to be libertarian advocates, as the Republican brand is now a safe-haven for corporatists, oil lobbyists, war hawks and nationalists.  In fact, the Republican party seems willing and eager to harbor American criminals and terrorists and for that alone, the party should burn.

Is Obama the answer to all of our prayers?  Doubtful, but this country can’t get any worse than we’ve seen under George W. Bush and his neo-conservative bandits.

Fred Soto is an Attorney and Entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley.
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