Now that I've got your attention, this is going to be a short diary, but hear me out.
The Republicans have been sitting on the House Floor playing Congress and basically throwing a hissy fit for a vote on offshore drilling. I say, let's have such a vote--a single bill, no amendments, an up or down vote on offshore drilling.
But, of course, we get to write the bill--The American Energy Salvation Act. It's a bill that would never--and should never--pass, but would expose the Republican hypocrisy and force them to oppose something that is crafted to look like what they advocate, but is actually NOT what they want.
The American Energy Salvation Act would lift the ban on offshore drilling but with one major stipulation:
That is that the law would require that henceforth all petroleum or natural gas extracted from leases in US territory is for the exclusive use of America and may not be sold to any foreign buyer, placed on the world market or brokered in any international exchange.
American energy is for Americans. Period.
This is, of course, what our average American assumes the Republicans want. They are also, of course, mistaken. The Republicans want the oil companies to profit. But they can't say that. So how could they oppose a stipulation that requires the energy we extract to "end our dependence on foreign oil" not be sold to foreigners?
Oh, they will oppose the bill and they will look like the idiots and hypocrites they are. This will expose the Enron Loophole and the Republican support of it. It will show that the Republicans are simply using our anxiety over energy to enrich their friends and will open a hole in the energy debate we can drive a truck through. I urge all of you to contact your Democratic congressional representatives and/or Senators with this idea. It is simple, easily understood and argued FOR. The awkward thing is trying to argue AGAINST it--which I cordially invite my Republican friends to try to do.
There is not much time in this Congress and the Republicans are pushing for a vote. So let's not disappoint them!