The price of gasoline in the United States has reached $4 a gallon and is still rising. President Bush offered the American people an explanation for this rise which typifies his manner of always discovering someone else as the blame for his mistakes. The blamed Democrats in Congress for the high gas prices because Congress had passed a prohibition of offshore oil exploration and there is also an executive order which forbids such drilling. “There is no excuse for delay,” proclaimed the president, “families across the country are looking for Washington for a response.” Naturally, in his view, the entire problem is caused by Democrats.
Let’s examine the record:
1. Congress was under the control of the Republican party for four years. If the president believed offshore drilling was important, why didn’t he ask his Republican Congress to make necessary changes?
2. Bush admits he could life the ban since one of the prohibitions was placed by an executive order, but he refuses to make the first move until Congress acts. This attitude is hardly that of a man who seeks to be a leader. If it is critical, then he should act.
3. President Bush apparently has forgotten his ill-fated war in Iraq is a major factor in the current oil crisis.
4. It would take years to get oil from either offshore areas in California or Alaska.
5. Real leadership would force Detroit automobile manufacturers to produce cars that get 40 miles to the gallon. That, in itself, would serious dampen the effects of the crisis.