The Energy Crisis: The Potential Impact on the GOP

With the rising costs of fuel across the United States, one would think the politicians in Washington would realize that this is becoming a crisis. People are having a difficult time financially due to the rising costs of filling up, and it is starting to affect food prices, etc. Right now, the price of crude oil is sitting at $136.50 per barrel* (Source: Bloomberg, June 11, 2008), and prices keep rising by the day.

However, the Liberals in Congress are more concerned about sucking up to the environmentalist lobby and standing in the way of anything that would provide some relief for the high prices of fuel. They are standing in the way of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), which has been uninhabited by wildlife for many years, and they are standing in the way of offshore drilling (look at the Gulf Coast...an oil goldmine).

However, some Dems are looking at the offshore drilling issue as a measure of relief. According to The Rocky Mountain News, Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO) is recognizing that offshore drilling will aid in addressing the energy crisis while ensuring that conservation is addressed. Well, this is all great and good, but Colorado has the resources available for drilling...so why stand in the way???

The GOP needs to address this issue or there will be some serious losses in November. It is an issue that concerns every American. Of course, you could offer a repeal of the gasoline tax. This is not going to address the issue. The GOP should stand up to the environmentalist lobby by passing measures for offshore and ANWR drilling. This will provide relief and end our dependency on foreign oil.

In regards to the 2008 candidates, U.S. Senate hopeful Jim Gilmore realizes that we need to get off of the foreign oil dependency bandwagon. If elected, you can bet Gilmore will stand up to the liberals in Congress and the environmental lobby by pushing through legislation to drill in ANWR and utilize offshore drilling. This is an important issue that the GOP needs to address before November, because the "tax and spend" liberals are going to do everything to stand in the way of addressing the rising costs of fuel.

Cross Posted at Crystal Clear Conservative