August 11, 2008
House Republicans, many of whom have not distinguished themselves in recent years, have grabbed hold of the energy issue and are making it their own. They are demonstrating conviction about something, instead of just playing the political power game for its own sake.
While the Democratic leadership is off on a five-week vacation, a core of more than fifty Republicans has stayed behind in Washington to talk about the need for a comprehensive energy policy that includes new drilling offshore and in Alaska.
Opinion polls show a large majority of Americans want to free this country from the clutches of foreign oil producers. Some of these countries – like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela – mean us harm. Saudi Arabia, especially, uses their oil profits to promote the most extreme form of Islam all over the world and even in America. We are subsidizing those who would destroy us.
The Republicans are right on energy and they deserve the support of all Americans who are not only tired of high gas and heating oil prices, but weary of sending our money to the religious nuts. Encourage your member of Congress.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.
