Editorials

And again, the prices at the gas pump are rising like a hot air balloon and where does the blame lie?

Part of the blame lies directly in Washington, and since President Bush is the leader of our country, some what at his feet. BUT, let's share the blame as this gas blackmail of the public has been going on in Washington DC throughout every administration, and currently they currently have over 34,750 registered lobbyists, who deem this to be a booming business as quoted  "There's unlimited business out there for us," said Robert L. Livingston, a Republican former chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and now president of a thriving six-year-old lobbying firm. "Companies need lobbying help."

Lobbying firms are hiring people as fast as they can locate qualified personnel. Starting salaries have risen to about $300,000 a year for the well-connected aides who desire to leave a government position on Capitol Hill, to move to the more lucrative flow of cash from the companies begging for their influence and services to get a foothold on congregational or senatorial votes to favor or line their pockets. This used to be "bottom barrel"  post-government position, but now, the 'call of the cash' lobby is luring close to 50% of all lawmakers returning to the private sector, as well as former well connected military personnel who retire from active service.

While the amount of gas company stock owned by all politicians is a matter of public record, what's to stop 'friends' from taking stock as a 'favor' and retaining it until the politician leaves office and a mere transfer of ownership occurs and voila, the former political pundit, non-connected to gas companies, is now a financially efficient stock holder in said companies.

The lobby money is pouring into Washington like a Texas spring flood and few records are kept on any funds being exchanged through the friendly lobbyist, for favors received and who cares about the trickle effect on the huddled masses who elected those politicians, while they live in their ivory towers, yet the masses struggle at the gas pump, deciding between gas to go to work or food for their children's mouths. 

We will be dependent on the foreign oil conglomerates unless a major drastic change occurs, as in conjunction with the politicians, lobbyists and gas companies, are committing the act of rape on the American public, where they are assaulting our pockets, actually removing money, which is also robbery, and we can't complain, as no one, democrat or republican seems to listen, since we are slight voices in the wilderness.  

The pundits in both parties have introduced measures to improve the consumption of gas by American cars by the years 2009 and 2010 by something in the range of .5% to 1.5%, which would be like having a cup of water, and getting a straw full of water and trying to put out a forest fire. Too little, too late. We can't drill in Alaska or off the Gulf coasts due to environmental concerns, the big automakers are hesitant to attempt a major conversion of an alternate fuel source, as well as major opposition from anyone connected with the oil industry, so what next? I can't answer as I have no idea as it seems to be a down hill spiral.

It amazes me that the gas prices at the pump can skyrocket the same day that a rumor of any type of oil situation occurs, as one would think, that oil was already paid for by pre-rumor dollars and should be a fixed price, yet legalized robbery is occurring again and the parties in power continue to turn a blind shoulder and a deaf ear to the needs of the people.

Increased gas prices cause and effect: commuting to work, family vacations, lower income consumers, retirees on fixed incomes, small businesses,  the total American economy as the increase in transportation and manufacturing costs will be visible in the stores, home heating which due to the increased cold spells has become a large price impact, and in closing, the ripple effect will affect all Americans, eventually those in the ivory towers above this plebian populace, who, if you have no one to rule,  can't live in the ivory tower.

What now? Lip service and appeal to the people that a new regime will have a magic broom to sweep big oil clean and vacuum up the dependence on foreign oil, will seem to be a placebo, but the fact of the matter is that this has been around for years, through several administrations, democrat and republican, and it's always the same, it's the other party's fault. I say it's time that the elected officials step up to the plate they were elected for and take care of their business, which should be the care, comfort and protection of the people who elected them. Otherwise, they may kill the goose who lays the golden eggs (us) to see where the gold comes from, then the oil dries up, the goose dies and the politicians sit in those ivory towers looking at each other in retrospect, exclaiming "What happened, where did everyone go"     

 

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.