One candidate who is running for President sees it the same way I do. His name is John Edwards. He is the candidate running from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party and has proposed big solutions to solve big problems, not just the baby-steps that don't offend. Here is his take on the high price of gasoline:
Gasoline prices are now near an all-time record high. Families are spending $1,000 more a year on gasoline than they did in 2001, helping the top six oil companies collect $477 billion in profits over the past six years. Exxon Mobil earned $40 billion last year, the largest annual corporate profit in history. Since January, gas prices are up 43 percent while wages are up less than 2 percent. America's dependence on oil not only leaves families vulnerable, but it compromises our national security and contributes to the crisis of global warming. [CFA, 2007; AAA, 2007; EPI, 2007]
As we all know, identifying a problem is the hardest part. I am sure that everyone on both sides running for President are well aware of the challenges that face everyday Americans at the gas pump. Many of them are missing vacations they must skip, and money that used to be left over to save and achieve a bigger piece of the American pie. What we have to ask ourselves is, who can we trust to do something about it? Well, John Edwards has studied the problem and come up with a proposal that could create more competition among oil companies, end some de-regulation, and invest the money of the American people into something worthwhile, the research and development of the fuels of the future. This will eventually make us independent of foreign fuel. Americans have the will, and the drive to do this. It is a challlenge I know, but remember when we were challenged to go to the moon? We did. Americans CAN be patriotic about something besides war.
Oops sorry, a small rant. Anyway, back to the Edwards plan, and what he proposes to ease consumer burden, and put some of the ungodly profits of Big Oil back into our pockets. First we have this:
Investigate the Anticompetitive Actions of the Oil Industry: A wave of mergers in recent decades has led to a consolidated oil industry; in the last decade, 21 companies have merged into eight. Vertically integrated companies like Exxon Mobil own every step of the production process—from extraction to refining to sale at the pump—enabling them to foreclose competition. The government has President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and the chair of the Federal Trade Commission are all former oil industry insiders. Today, Edwards called for an independent Justice Department investigation into the consolidation of the oil industry, the causes of higher gas prices, and solutions to the problem. [GAO, 2004, 2007; Kimmelman, Plunkett, Mierzwinski, 2004; Slocum, 2001]
Now, I am afraid if you can't agree with at least some of this then maybe you are in the wrong party. Or maybe you need to join the Progressive side. For those who may need a reminder, "Progressives" have historically fought against the excesses of big business. Any Progressive should see it as a bad thing that 21 companies have whittled to 8. Do we really trust them not to collude? We simply must have a seperation in our government between our leaders and these big industries. We simply must stand up as the only party who will truly fight for the people on this issue and fight these oil companies, their mergers, and their collusion with people in our own government!! They crashed our economy once, do we really trust them not to do it again? Fence-sitting and compromise are okay sometimes, but it is time the Democratic Party once again fights against these things not only for Democrats, for all Americans!! It is our sacred duty.
Oops, more ranting, feeling a little passionate tonight. Anyway, Edwards goes on:
Strengthen Antitrust Laws: In 2001, the FTC found evidence of oil companies intentionally withholding supply to raise prices, but could not prosecute this anticompetitive activity because there was no evidence of an agreement among rivals. Edwards called on Congress to modernize the Clayton Antitrust Act to make oil and gas companies liable for unilateral anticompetitive acts—such as withholding supply in order to raise prices—even without an agreement. [FTC, 2001]
I can only just say that if you disagree with any of this, by definition you aren't truly Progressive. Strengthing anti-trust laws of any kind has been a Progressive trademark since Progressives have been identifyed as such. While it is bad to regulate business and industry too much, their is also an equally bad result if you completely de-regulate them. It is clear to me that America is at a point in its history when we need more regulation once more. It is clear to me, that Edwards understands it too. He goes on:
Reverse Enron-Era Deregulation of Energy Markets: Since the deregulation of the commodity futures trading market in 2000, oil markets have been vulnerable to manipulation and speculation. Edwards called for Congress to restore basic transparency and oversight, such as requiring public reporting of large trades, to help identify and deter market manipulation. [U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, 2004; CFTC, 2007]
Again, see a definition somewhere of the word: Progressive. Edwards is making it clear that as President he would be serious in pressuring Congress to make markets more fair to the consumer. Congress has shown it is going to sit the fence on any real change unless we get huge numbers. I am sorry, in today's climate I don't see us achieving a veto-proof majority. We simply must have the bully-pulpit of the Presidency to ever get this done. Edward would fight for all of us for this needed agenda. He goes on:
End Taxpayer Subsidies for Oil Companies: The oil industry—which has written our nation's energy policy for years—receives $2 billion a year in tax breaks for drilling they would undertake anyway. It also collects $1 billion a year in sweetheart oil leases in public waters. Edwards called on Congress to repeal these subsidies and reinvest the savings in affordable, clean, and renewable energy.
Now, I am not against anyone making a profit. However, when you use things like Katrina and other events to fleece the American taxpayer and haul in record profits in a time of war, then you should not expect any subsidies from said taxpayers. That money has been needed to be invested in the fuels of the future for a long time now. It is time someone gets serious about doing this, and achieving that one breakthrough in bio-fuels that makes us independent. We just need a leader to challenge us once again and make that happen. Edwards is that leader. He goes on:
Require Oil Companies to Invest in Clean, Reliable Refineries: Oil refining profits are up 158 percent since 1999, but overloaded refineries running at nearly 90 percent capacity have left the gasoline supply vulnerable to disruptions and price spikes. New investments to reduce harmful emissions can also increase productivity, safety, and reliability. Edwards called on states to enforce Clean Air Act standards to require oil companies to modernize their refineries, making them cleaner and more reliable. [Slocum, 2007; Newsday, 5/7/07; New York Times, 1/17/2007; GAO, 2007; EPA, 2006]
I hate to sound like a broken record player, but if you can't agree with this, you might be in the wrong party.
Now, Edwards goes on to talk briefly about the fuels of the future and the urgent need to help them to evolve:
America's need for imported oil forces it to rely on unstable and hostile countries while contributing to the crisis of global warming. John Edwards' plan to fundamentally transform our cars and trucks is part of his plan to cap global warming pollution and cut it by 80 percent by 2050. Edwards believes that we can cut oil imports by 7.5 million barrels a day by 2025—nearly a third of the oil projected to be used in 2025—and get us on a path to be virtually petroleum-free within a generation.
To jumpstart our investment in the future, Edwards will create the $13 billion-a-year New Energy Economy Fund, financed by the sale of greenhouse gas pollution permits and the repeal of subsidies for oil companies. Among other investments, the Fund will:
He then talks about E85:
Create New Competition by Supporting Biofuels: Millions of cars already run on both gasoline and E85 (a blend of ethanol and gasoline), but only about 600 of the nation's 169,000 gas stations have E85 pumps. Edwards will require oil companies to install ethanol pumps at 25 percent of their gas stations and require all new cars sold after 2010 to be "flex fuel" cars running on either gasoline or biofuels. He will also set a national goal of 65 billion gallons of ethanol a year by 2025 and invest in new, sustainable and efficient methods of producing and using biofuels. [RAND, 2006; DOE, 2005; USDA, 2005]
While I don't think either one of us sees it a the solution to the problem, E85 does have advantages to the American consumer and farmer. It is a step in the right direction we can take immediately in the right direction, independence. The very last part to me offers the most hope to create high-paying American jobs and fuel independence: Investment in the fuels of the future. We are one breakthough away from being fuel independent like other countries have. I refuse to believe that the American ingenuity can't do it again. I honestly believe with an Edwards administration our country could move quickly into the lead worldwide in researching and producing the fuels of the future. We are one breakthrough away that Edwards seeks....
Finally, he talks about helping modernize the American car industry:
Raise Fuel Economy Standards and Help U.S. Automakers Modernize: Everyone should be able to drive the car, truck, or SUV of their choice and still enjoy high fuel economy, but American cars and trucks are less efficient than they were two decades ago. American automakers have the ingenuity to lead the world in building the clean, safe, economical cars of the future. Edwards will raise fuel-economy standards to 40 miles per gallon by 2016, a step that could single-handedly reduce oil demand by 4 million barrels per day. He will also provide $1 billion a year to help U.S. automakers advance and apply the latest technology, including biofuels, hybrid and electric cars, hydrogen fuel cells, ultra-light materials, and drive train improvements.
This actually shows a lot of vision on the part of Edwards. He realizes as we invest in and develop fuels of the future, that Car makers will need help in implementing it. His call to raise fuel standards is an excellent way to reduce consumer burden, and fight Global Warming.
http://www.johnedwards.com/...
So there is the Edwards plan on fighting for everyday Americans against Big Oil. You must admit it is a piece of Progressive vision. When he has the bulley-pulpit to demand action from Congress and build consensus among the American people we have a real chance for positive change for everyone. This is why I support John Edwards and hope everyone will join me. It is time for us all to be patriotic about something besides war.
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