Post by Woody Williams on Aug 11, 2008 13:01:55 GMT -5
The Five Stooges
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Friday, August 08, 2008 4:20 PM PT
Energy: If you thought Republicans were no longer "The Stupid Party," then you haven't met the senators who may have just destroyed the GOP's biggest hope this election year: the drilling issue.
Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John Thune of South Dakota — remember their names if things go badly for the GOP this November.
With the issue of domestic drilling to provide relief for suffering consumers landing right in the laps of embattled congressional Republicans, those five — none of whom faces any immediate danger of losing his seat — decided to join with some crafty Democrats and smash to pieces that gift from the heavens.
The "compromise" they are promoting is actually a wholesale giveaway to Democrats. Touted as a drilling plan, it actually imposes about $84 billion in new taxes on oil companies and keeps the offshore and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling bans.
In the five states supposedly being opened to more drilling — Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida — massive regulatory roadblocks and state legislative fights could mean drilling in theory, but precious little in practice. Imposition of an arbitrary 50-mile no-drilling zone denies access to known oil deposits.
Meanwhile, Democrats get oodles of goodies for their environmentalist backers: That $84 billion of the taxpayers' money will be spent concocting green fuels and designing geekmobiles.
These Republicans are placing Sen. John McCain in a tough position. If he supports the plan, he'll invite the ire of GOP anti-tax crusaders — already uncertain about him for past opposition to the Bush tax cuts. If he opposes it, his claim of being a uniter will be questioned. The five have also done Obama a favor. His support would neutralize drilling as an issue to be used against him and make him look bipartisan.
These GOP stooges could end up being the Five Fingers of Death for their party come November.
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Friday, August 08, 2008 4:20 PM PT
Energy: If you thought Republicans were no longer "The Stupid Party," then you haven't met the senators who may have just destroyed the GOP's biggest hope this election year: the drilling issue.
Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John Thune of South Dakota — remember their names if things go badly for the GOP this November.
With the issue of domestic drilling to provide relief for suffering consumers landing right in the laps of embattled congressional Republicans, those five — none of whom faces any immediate danger of losing his seat — decided to join with some crafty Democrats and smash to pieces that gift from the heavens.
The "compromise" they are promoting is actually a wholesale giveaway to Democrats. Touted as a drilling plan, it actually imposes about $84 billion in new taxes on oil companies and keeps the offshore and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling bans.
In the five states supposedly being opened to more drilling — Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida — massive regulatory roadblocks and state legislative fights could mean drilling in theory, but precious little in practice. Imposition of an arbitrary 50-mile no-drilling zone denies access to known oil deposits.
Meanwhile, Democrats get oodles of goodies for their environmentalist backers: That $84 billion of the taxpayers' money will be spent concocting green fuels and designing geekmobiles.
These Republicans are placing Sen. John McCain in a tough position. If he supports the plan, he'll invite the ire of GOP anti-tax crusaders — already uncertain about him for past opposition to the Bush tax cuts. If he opposes it, his claim of being a uniter will be questioned. The five have also done Obama a favor. His support would neutralize drilling as an issue to be used against him and make him look bipartisan.
These GOP stooges could end up being the Five Fingers of Death for their party come November.
