Bush's energy policy and Hurricane Katrina
The disaster in New Orleans is obviously a tragedy. And even I can't blame Bush for the weather. However, it is worth noting that Bush's terrible energy policy is partly responsible for the recent rise in gas prices.
If we had a truly comprehensive energy policy that didn't rely almost exclusively on oil, mainly foreign oil, it's safe to say that we wouldn't be paying $3 at the pump right now. Since the disaster destroyed a bunch of off-shore oil rigs, supply of gas has been tight, leading to an increase in prices. The administration has released oil from the domestic strategic reserves, but this isn't enough to make up for the shortfall.
If our country wasn't run by former (and current) energy executives, perhaps we would have an energy policy that moves us towards sustainable sources(i.e. solar, wind, green power, and other renewable sources). It will take political will, however, and unfortunately the Bush administration does not possess that. After all, Cheney, Bush, and their friends at companies like Exxon Mobil are making out like bandits while the average citizen gets screwed at the pump.
"Compassionate conservativism" is a misnomer. They're only compassionate towards their wealthy friends at energy companies. Meanwhile, the average working American is devoting more and more of their paycheck to gas.
posted by Ben at 11:24 AM
5 Comments:
Alternative energy? Why don't we start by allocating more funding to research in that area instead of politics and campaigns; and why don't people like you (bk) (all say and no do) actually protest the war at DC instead of posting on the internet?
You want to bitch? Do something about it and stop going to concerts.
first of all, if you want to write a critical comment, have the guts to use your real name(although i'm pretty sure i know who at least the first person is).
for the first comment:
the government doesn't allocate much money at all for campaigns! public campaign funds are negligible-the funds come from PRIVATE DONORS. obviously we need to allocate more $ for alternative energy-that is the whole point. as for all say and no do, you are wrong. i am going to protest the war september 24th along with hundreds of thousands of people. i'm all about action, you should know that.
as for the second comment, who said i was morally superior? why not offer an argument instead of putting words into my mouth?
i'm not "standing up against the man," i'm offering valid criticism of a moronic energy policy. use your real name and some actual arguments. then we'll talk.
I back up Ben. He is the essence of action.
I'd like to add to your comments Ben. I think had we not pumped billions of billions of billions...into the iraq war and bullshit homeland security, we might have more money (and time) and people to have stopped this or adequately responded. i lived in new orleans; we knew there would be a problem.
i think it's totally ironic that bush is criticizing the FEMA response. note that FEMA is now underneath the authority of homeland security.
lastly, notice that of the money dedicated by the federal government ($10.5 billion) - half of the money is going to the defense department. (and from them to halliburton probably).
FEMA's problem started the moment Bush appointed one of his buddies, Michael Brown, who admitted he didn't know until Thursday that there were 15,000 people trapped in the New Orleans Convention Center.
Bush criticizing FEMA? "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job".
On Friday, he joked about his drinking days in New Orleans and then said, "You know, I'm going to fly out of here in a minute."
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