Mislead: Bush lets OPEC bilk Americans (Bush is pro more oil consumption)

[papau]

http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=26078
REVERSING PLEDGE, BUSH LETS OPEC BILK AMERICANS

As a presidential candidate in 2000, George Bush pledged to use his
"political capital" to influence OPEC when gas prices soared, saying thatduring a crisis, a president, "ought to get on the phone with the OPECcartel and say, 'We expect you to open your spigots" (1). But with gasprices soaring in the United States (2), newspapers report the White Housenow says the president refuses to "personally lobby oil cartel leaders tochange their minds" (3).

With the president refusing to do anything about the situation, OPEC optedthis week to cut supply to further inflate gas prices and bilk Americanconsumers (4). While Saudi Arabia's ambassador told the White Houseyesterday that his country supposedly opposed higher oil prices, thepresident's refusal to use his close relations with the Saudi governmentgave the Saudis a pass to support the OPEC production cut (5). Despite theSaudi effort to keep American energy prices high - and despite their ties toterror groups (6) - the President continues to insist that the Saudi Arabiais "our friend" (7).

During his term, the president has pursued other policies that help enrichthe oil industry, which has given him more than $3 million since 2000 (8).For instance, his tax legislation actually created a massive tax incentivefor consumers to purchase gas-guzzling SUVs over fuel efficient hybrid cars(9). Meanwhile, the first budget President Bush introduced after takingoffice tried to cut 37%,(almost $200 million), out of federal research onrenewable energy and energy efficiency programs (10).

Sources:
1. "OPEC to cut back despite high prices", Washington Times, 04/01/2004,http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=26079.
2. "Surging Gas Prices Pump Up Political Debate" Los Angeles Times,03/31/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=26080.
3. "Bush Refuses to Lean on Oil Cartel" Miami Herald, 04/01/2004,http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=26081.
4. "OPEC cut to oil output likely to keep prices near record levels", DallasMorning News, 04/01/2004,http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=26082.
5. "Saudi envoy plays nice with White House on oil supply", USA Today,04/02/2004,http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=26083.
6. "The Saudi Connection", US News and World Report, 12/15/2003,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=26084.
7. President Bush Vows to Bring Terrorists to Justice, 05/15/2003,http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=26085.
8. OpenSecrets.Org,http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=26086.
9. "SUV, truck owners get a big tax break", Detroit News, 12/18/2002,http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=26087.
10. "Proposed Bush Budget Cuts Renewables and Energy Efficiency Programs", http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1338421&l=26089 >

[girl gone mad]

1. But the GOP will blame it all..

on not drilling in ANWR, even though the ANWR oil would be a decade away if we started drilling today and the amount of oil there would hardly make a dent.

[papau]

2. Very True! :-)

:-)