The Millennial Files

Make Congress Ensure U.S. Oil Independence

Bush’s continuous claims of wanting to make the United States “less dependent on foreign oil” sound good in light of the US currently importing 60% of its oil from foreign sources. However when you consider the chummy-chummy relationship between his family and the Bin Ladens, it rings a little hollow. That Saudi oil fields are being depleted, which makes the Iraqi oil fields and US occupation look attractive casts an interesting light on the subject.

When President Bush rings alarm bells to justify invading and occupying other countries, he sometimes follows it with a comment few people hear because terror is the first word they lock onto. We would be wise to pay attention to the second half of each statement he makes. For example in an April 25 speech to ethanol producers, the President said:

“Some of the nations we rely on for oil have unstable governments or agendas that are hostile to the United States.” Does that sound like Iraq????? And who MADE that country unstable? It wasn’t Saddam Hussein. Not only did Bush make himself a “war-time president” to ensure his re-election, he also made Iraq an unstable government so he has an excuse to continue occupying it ad infinitum — or at least until those oil fields have been depleted — but I digress.

Fortunately the 110th Democratic Majority Congress saw past this rhetoric and passed (at the same time they gave Bush the power to warrantless wiretap) the New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act last Monday (August 6, 2007). Essentially the bill will strip $16 billion in tax incentives away from Big Oil and shifts it into renewable energy investments, so it should come as no surprise that President Bush has threatened to veto it.

For so long, I have heard the 110th Congress take hits for not implementing the change it was elected to do in November. But what people fail to see, or Mainstream Media chooses to ignore, is a primary reason this Congress has not been able to do more, is the Obstructionist Republicans who know the Democratics do not have enough numbers to have a veto-proof vote on all matters.

Bush was able to get 41 Representatives and 16 Senators to cave to his wishes regarding the warrantless wiretapping by calling out the terror-threat card, and making some Democrats feel they would be held responsible if anything happened while they were on vacation. I have heard unconfirmed rumors that the word had been put out in Washington D.C. an attack was immenent. Democrats who buckled could not handle the idea of being blamed for not taking enough “precautionary efforts” before going on recess. Score a big one for Bush.

Critics and frustrated Democrats who want to see enough votes to override President Bush proposed veto need to step up to the plate and do something about it. Christy at Firedoglake.com suggested a You Work for Us Summer Tour. She is advocating ALL AMERICANS to call their Representatives and Senators and put another fear in them — that of not getting re-elected unless they start doing what they were hired to. Let them know in no uncertain terms how badly voters want to “get off oil.” Christy’s suggestion of setting up meetings with their Reps, and if that is not possible, attend Town Hall meetings scheduled in their districts, is well taken, and one I heartily endorse.

Another avenue for communicating with members of Congress and the Senate is to write a letter to the editor of your local paper. Congress members are known for reading this often ignored section of the newspaper to get a pulse of feellings, opnions and priorities in thier home districts. I would suggest emphasizing the need to quit funding Big Oil with tax breaks and make access to renewable energy affordable. Our representatives need to know they should fear losing our vote more than President Bush’s threats.

If you are mad, angry or frustrated with this Congress, you need to let them know that, and what you are willing to do change the course of this country. If you voted for change in November, it’s time to to step up to the plate and do something to make sure it happens.