Domestic oil drilling: I say call their bluff

[LuckyTheDog]

The Democrats are missing an opportunity here to look offer the kind of compromise the American people are looking for.

OF COURSE the GOP is playing games when they tell people that domestic drilling can give them lower fuel prices. That’s especially true when they imply that those lower fuel costs would come soon.

But that said, we need to call their bluff here. In doing so, we might actually get something done.

Democrats should tell the Republicans that they are willing to talk about LIMITED off-shore drilling far from shore (say, 75-100 miles out) but only under certain conditions. Here are some of the conditions we could ask for:

-- Tough energy efficiency standards for lighting and appliances.
-- Higher CAFÉ standards for cars.
-- Mandates requiring utility companies to generate a percentage of their power from renewable sources.
-- New tax credits for energy-efficient vehicles and tax penalties gas hogs.
-- Tougher environmental standards for oil drilling in the U.S.
-- Funding for a massive program to develop alternative energy sources and the infrastructure to deliver them.

If the GOP balks at a compromise along these lines, the fault ill lie with them. If they accept, then we’d be in a position to be pretty tough when them in terms of getting the kind of energy policy we want.

Either way, Democrats would benefit from having taken the high road.

[nc4bo]

1. no expert but i like it.

Seems the repubs are gaining momentum with their OSD hype and everyday folks are getting so desperate and angry. It looks like the Dems are the bad guys (again) holding back the cure.

But, like I said, I'm no expert..

[LuckyTheDog]

5. As a rule

Democrats should do their best to remain on the offensive and to LEAD on every issue. Defense is not the position to play when the game is politics.

[predfan]

2. I say we drill in ANWAR, but under these conditions.............

build a federally owned refinery, and put 90% of the proceeds into the Social Security Fund, and the remainder into R and D for alternatives. That oil is owned by the American people, and we'd all benefit from it.

[dempartisan23]

4. who is going to drill for the oil then?

[polichick]

3. It's a power grab for the future, since big oil already has 68 million acres...

...of leases they're not drilling. They just see an opportunity to trick the American public into giving them an investment for the future.

[elifino]

6. Even if allowed, increase in drilling off shore several years off

I read somewhere last week that all the ships capable of drilling off shore are booked solid for the next five years. Sorry I do not remember where I read the report.

[grantcart]

7. well actually its all a big bluff anyway - there are no rigs available

large finds in Brazil and else where have tied up all the available rigs and the new ones being built for years to come.