If you haven’t yet heard, Congressman Steve LaTourette introduced a bill yesterday that’s supposed to provide relief for high gas prices.
His Democratic opponent, Bill O’Neill, rightfully called Rep. Steve LaTourette’s legislation that would provide federal reimbursements for gas consumption a "taxpayer-funded windfall for oil companies that does absolutely nothing to solve the gas price crisis -- and actually makes it worse." Just a day later, it’s clear the voters agree.
A quick glance at some of the local blogs and we see that when it comes to gas prices, Cleveland commuters think Steve LaTourette is asleep at the wheel. Apparently they know that someone who’s taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from the oil and energy companies isn’t going to come up with any real solutions to the current crisis. I guess at the O’Neill campaign we just thought a six term Congressman would be more creative.
Take a look at some of the reader responses from the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s blog "Openers"
"Ohio is already in deep financial trouble. Who is going to pay for it? You and me, the tax payers for sure. I start wondering if he is trying to buy my vote with my money?"
"This is possibly the dumbest idea I have ever heard of. How about encouraging alternative fuels, hybrid cars, telecommuting, four day work weeks, etc. The sooner we can come up with an alternative to oil, the sooner we can stop unintentionally sponsoring terrorism."
Buckeye State Blog saw through the proposal right away, noting that LaTourette’s proposal would drive up consumption. Readers agreed that Steve’s proposal wasn’t the answer.
"Ohio is FLAT and crisscrossed with rail lines, i.e., it's perfect for a commuter system. sadly, Cleveland’s, at least, is a joke. Start tearing down abandoned homes and start building some "green" infrastructure"
Plunderbund had the entire office cracking up with their clever LaTourette photo that underscored how silly his proposal was.
Even folks on LaTourette’s side of the aisle think it’s a bad idea.
"This is a gimmick, if we wanted a gimmick we’d go to the Democrats"
Bill’s personal favorite focused on lowering consumption.
"This sounds like a ridiculous idea... why not put that money toward improving public transportation in Cleveland and its suburbs?"
"Right on the money," said O’Neill. "That’s why I held a press conference last week calling for a major reinvestment in commuter rail in Northeast Ohio. Steve LaTourette hasn’t addressed the crux of the energy crisis we’re facing, and I’m glad voters are already seeing through Steve LaTourette’s election-year stunt."
Justin Barasky
Press Secretary
O'Neill for Congress