Capps Votes to Draw on Strategic Petroleum Reserve

Lois I hope you read this. The world has passed the point where half the oil nature has provided us in underground basins has now been used up. That is the easy oil, the first half. The second half is much harder to extract. More expensive to extract. The only response to this geological fact that makes sense is to use less. That means conservation big time. This is not a one time event like a hurricane or war. It is permanent. Please inform yourself, the facts are out there. From a supporter.

"President Bush's plan to explore new coastal drilling possibilities - which would have no effect in the short-run"

So.. then... tapping the federal reserve is a long term solution?

"the big oil companies are once again reporting record profits."

Should we tax (punish) the big bad oil companies (for daring to make a profit) and drive the prices up even further?

What planet am I on? - I am joining the search for intelligent life somewhere else in the galaxy ...

Hey whatphotosb:

Your call for a non-nurse as a representative is beneath your dignity and the dignity of this group. Lois has proven to be an excellent representative overall. I'd say that her being a former nurse has been a huge plus, and in addition she has long shown skills that go well beyond her nursing experience.

And while we're at it, most members of congress are lawyers or former lawyers. Do you really think that the bang up job Congress is doing suggests that going to law school is better experience for representing the people?

I'm not sure I agree with Lois on tapping the oil reserve but still, based on her record of service to our area, Lois deserves our support and admiration. Plus your scorn does nothing to elevate the discussion we need to work on our real problems. Please lighten up a bit.

Richard_Saunders, you should be attacking whatphotosb's stance for being wrong, not for him attacking the record of Louis Capps.

By lifting the moratorium on offshore drilling, I don't believe that localities would have any say in whether they can drill off of their shores. This needs to be addressed. Lift the moratorium, but allow states and local communities some time first to either ban or allow the activity off of their coastline. The local community should have the most power, or say, in the matter, then the state level can make a ruling for those areas which have not legislated a stance. The Federal Government owns the "land", but this is a property rights issue as well since oil spills have been known to occur.

Assuming we don't have much oil left, it is probably good that the price of oil is high. That allows the market to find alternative solutions to our energy problems. The reserve should be kept for a real emergency, like when Israel coerces our leaders into supporting a bombing campaign against Iran.

loonpt,

I think I'm entitled to voice my views on any part of any comment. What I objected to was a dismissal of Lois's credentials or effectiveness because one of her prior careers was nursing. I believe that attack to be unfair and that's what I said.

In addition, while I probably don't agree with opening up the reserve, I wouldn't dismiss Lois or her entire record just because I disagree with this particular vote. I also don't agree with a couple of other votes she has made.

However, overall, Lois has been a terrific Congress person and representative of this district and I think that callow or vicious remarks directed add much heat and little light to what should be an intelligent discussion.

If liberals are to blame for high gas prices, who is to blame for Enron, the mortgage meltdown, lousy health insurance, inflation, the billions we are wasting in Iraq, the immigration mess, etc?

Republicans talk about personal responsibility but rarely take any. Did liberals cause 3 mile Island?

No, liberals voted for the voting rights act, Medicare, child labor laws, fireproof pajamas for children...the list goes on.
Republicans basically believe in the golden rule: people with the gold should make the rules. It will be fun to see how many law and order Republicans and their donors have been evading paying taxes by stashing cash in Lichtenstein banks, now that their cover has been blown.

To me, a liberal is someone who looks out for someone besides him or herself.

Richard_Saunders is to blame for high gas prices.