Will the GOP plan for lowering gas prices work?
This afternoon, I get an e-mail from Congresswoman Blackburn, discussing all the things that the GOP was doing to combat high gas prices. At first glance, I thought “how much will this really help”?
Republican Plan For Lower Gas Prices:
Immediately suspend the 18.4 cents per gallon federal gas tax between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Offset the cost to the Highway Trust Fund with a corresponding one-year freeze on all taxpayer funded earmarks. This will ensure that the American people get a break at the pump while the states are not burdened with another unfunded mandate.
Increase the production of American-made energy in an environmentally safe way. This includes exploration of next generation oil, natural gas, coal, and the production of advanced alternative fuels like clean coal-to-liquids.
Promote new, clean, and reliable sources of energy like advanced nuclear and next generation coal.
Cut red tape and increase the supply of American-made fuel and energy. Eliminate the road-blocks to new construction of new oil refineries and those bureaucratic regulations mandating the use of exotic fuels have decreased supply and increased the cost of gas.
Encourage greater energy efficiency by offering conservation tax incentives to Americans who make their home, car, and business more energy efficient.
But, the more I thought about it, in reality, how many options do we have? … really. Reduce the tax burden… check… I agree with that. And, then, the rest of the points are about developing alternative energies to decrease American dependence on foreign oil. Frankly, this is what this country should have done in the 1970s when people waited in long lines for gas.
But, thanks to politicians who failed to have the leadership abilities to lead this country, we are now going to be paying who knows what … $6… $7/gallon. When will it end? It is like anything else. Politicians will fail to lead unless there is a crisis that demands their attention…. Until it is 150 degrees outside, nobody will truly deal with global warming. Until our payments on the national debt are far beyond what we can pay, we will continue to spend, spend, spend. Poor leadership got us into this situation, and frankly, I don’t see anyone who can dig us out. My advice is… live close to work, and buy a bike.