The increase in fuel prices affects many aspects of our daily lives. We rely on gasoline on a regular basis as we drive to and from work, the supermarket and our children’s schools. The prices of products we purchase have a direct relation to fuel costs — when gas prices climb, we all have to sacrifice spending in other areas to afford the increase.
For every 25-cent increase in gas prices sustained over a 12-month period, $35 billion is cut from our nation’s economy. Gas prices are fluctuating around $3.40 in the 8th Congressional District; they have already increased by 25 cents since Jan. 1 and prices are expected to continue increasing, potentially reaching $4 by April. An increase in gas prices could affect consumer spending and curb any recent economic growth.
While we make choices on how to spend our hard-0earned income, President Obama continues to play politics with our nation’s energy policy. Since taking office in January 2009, gas prices have nearly doubled in three years under President Obama’s watch. His campaign-style rhetoric would lead one to believe that America is on the clear path to an all-encompassing energy strategy. Every time I go to the local gas station, I see firsthand how misleading his words really are.
One example where the Obama administration has used Washington doublespeak is with the Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline from Canada’s oil sands would have brought 20,000 jobs to the United States just for building the pipeline and oil from an ally to our nation’s refineries. Another unfortunate example is President Obama’s support of Brazilian oil companies expanding drilling off their shores while issuing a moratorium on drilling off U.S. shores.
We should be developing our own sources for oil, not encouraging consumption of foreign oil. In March 2011, while visiting Brazil, President Obama stated, “In particular, with the new oil finds off Brazil, President Rousseff has said that Brazil wants to be a major supplier of new stable sources of energy, and I’ve told her that the United States wants to be a major customer, which would be a win-win for both our countries.” The administration should not think about short-term political gains when it comes to the long-term energy goals of our nation.
Through executive orders and agency regulations, the Obama administration has declared a war on fossil fuels. Not to mention, many of these actions have a negative impact on the job market. The numbers don’t lie. Compared to 10 years ago, oil and natural gas leases on federal lands are down more than 40 percent. In 2010, the Obama administration issued the fewest onshore leases since 1984. In addition, there was only one offshore lease sale in 2011. In order to grow the economy and get Americans working, the Obama administration needs to fully embrace the all-of-the-above approach.
There are five pieces of legislation that have passed the House and currently sit idle in the Senate that would maximize domestic energy production. These bills would help bring the United States closer to energy independence and provide good paying jobs to out-of-work Americans. Speeding up the permitting process, approving the Keystone XL pipeline, restarting offshore leasing, and many other actions would all lead to the increase of domestic energy production. These are commonsense, bipartisan ideas that need to be implemented right away.
Another reason to increase the domestic production of oil is the radical rhetoric from the Iranian regime. Just this past week, the Iranians cut oil exports to Britain and France as a response to stricter European Union sanctions. Also, the Iranians have threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key supply route for 20 percent of the world’s oil. These actions only add to our already climbing oil prices.
The situation in the Middle East shows that this is not just an economic issue or jobs issue. Eliminating our dependency on foreign oil, especially from our enemies, is critical to our nation’s security.
While we will not see the relief at the pump immediately, we will, for the first time in decades, have a clear energy strategy that taps the abundance of resources here at home, creates jobs, and reduces the dependency on foreign oil.
Next time I fill my car at the pump, I’ll see how ineffective President Obama’s energy strategy really is.
Rep. Larry Bucshon, a heart surgeon from Newburgh, is serving his first term as the 8th District’s
representative in the U.S. Congress.
Flashpoint
FLASHPOINT: America’s energy brings America jobs
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
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FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
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FLASHPOINT: Indiana lawmakers reinforced school safety mechanisms
Nothing is more important to me than the safety of my children. Every parent has felt that instant, apprehensive rush when their child plays too close to the street or falls down while playing soccer and it is our responsibility as parents to implement every safety mechanism we can muster to protect our kids.
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FLASHPOINT: Lessons from the legacy media — get it right, first
Enough mistakes and maybe we’ll learn: When in doubt, leave it out.
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FLASHPOINT: Hoosiers got steady hand in recent session
As the General Assembly began its work last November, as Speaker of the House, I pledged a renewed spirit of bipartisanship with legislators working together to solve our state’s most pressing challenges. As this year’s legislative session concludes, representatives from throughout the state — Republican and Democrat — have joined together to address those issues at the forefront of Hoosier minds: maintaining our state’s fiscal integrity, spurring job creation and expanding education opportunities for every Hoosier family.
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FLASHPOINT: Time has arrived for overhaul of TV news
Former FCC Chairman Alfred Sikes gave an address in 1992 in which he claimed television news was too superficial and too focused on visuals.
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FLASHPOINT: Fiscal cliff, Obamacare have already raised taxes enough
Our history is rich with stories of people who have immigrated to the United States for a chance at the American Dream. The American Dream, in its truest form, is the opportunity to achieve success by working hard and playing by the rules; to make it on your own and to say, “I earned this.”
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FLASHPOINT: Expanding Medicaid coverage makes sense for Indiana
Since last summer’s U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act effectively gave states the option to expand Medicaid, policymakers across the country have debated if and how to extend health programs to millions of uninsured Americans.
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FLASHPOINT: Improve public education, stop experimenting with it
In January, the four of us who serve as the Democrats on the House Education Committee outlined our hopes for the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly, particularly in joining with Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz to offer common sense solutions to improve the quality of education for our children. With the halfway point of this session past us, we remain optimistic that positive steps can be taken … but that optimism is tempered by the reality that education policies are being directed by a legislative majority that has a radically different agenda.
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Healthcare law anniversary no reason for celebration
March 23 marked three years since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, yet this is not an anniversary that deserves celebration.
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FLASHPOINT: Defending state’s authority is attorney general’s obligation
The law of the land recognizes the authority of states to license marriage.
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FLASHPOINT: Stability key for state’s future
Hoosiers have the unique luxury of being the fiscal envy of the nation due to the sound fiscal policies of the last eight years.
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FLASHPOINT: House budget offers Medicaid solution for Indiana
This week, my U.S. House Budget Committee colleagues and I introduced a federal budget resolution for fiscal year 2014. Our budget is a responsible plan that stops spending money and balances in 10 years — largely through making key reforms to drivers of our debt like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
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FLASHPOINT: Problem gambling in Indiana: A new understanding of community concern
The week of March 3 was designated as National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
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FLASHPOINT: Eastern time in Indiana defies common sense
Nobody complains more than Hoosiers about changing their clocks. And there’s a valid reason — daylight-savings time in Indiana’s Eastern Time Zone is painful.
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Praying for civil resolution to debate over gun control
Guns are lively ammunition for passionate debate these days.
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FLASHPOINT: It’s not too late to expand health services
This week, state leaders euthanized the biggest, boldest Hoosier jobs proposal of the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
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FLASHPOINT: You can’t go back again — and that’s OK
Our progressive colleagues have been telling us for years that the 1950s were a horrid time.
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FLASHPOINT: The fierce urgency of now — nation needs to protect youth
The alcohol-fueled alleged serial rape of a 16-year-old Ohio girl by two of her similarly impaired classmates — not to mention the drunken videotaped commentary of others — points yet again to the imperative that adult America renews its commitment to address as a true national community those issues that most threaten the health, safety and forward development of youth.
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FLASHPOINT: A pastor speaks out against Sullivan’s ‘traditional prom’
I am a pastor in Sullivan, Ind., and I am outraged.
Recently, two young students applied to walk the Grand March together in the school prom in Sullivan. -
FLASHPOINT: 0wning firearms is a First Amendment exercise, too
Following the hysteria generated by gun prohibitionists in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, a nationwide rush on gun stores began as citizens bought semiautomatic modern sporting rifles, handguns and ammunition, in effect “making a political statement” about proposals to ban such firearms.
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FLASHPOINT: Maintaining the priority
Recently a newspaper article has been written about a change in the by-laws of the Indiana High School Athletic Association which speaks directly to attempted undue influence exerted upon students below the level of grade nine and their parents.
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FLASHPOINT: The fairness of marriage
What is the current Indiana law concerning marriage? Our state defines marriage in a singular way — between a man and a woman.
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FLASHPOINT: We ask state legislators to abide by their oath of office
All of us relish giving unsolicited advice to our elected representatives.
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FLASHPOINT: Mentoring is having major impact on public education
While managing local utility services, Mike Martin found a new way to energize his community, and students are starting to benefit.
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FLASHPOINT: Common Core standards should be common sense
Years ago, when state officials and education experts came together to create new model standards for schools, they probably never expected it to be controversial.
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FLASHPOINT: Milestone year for Rose-Hulman
The Rose-Hulman campus traditionally quiets down this time of year, yet for me I sense a renewed energy from the phenomenal year just closing.
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FLASHPOINT: ISU’s reasoning flawed in flight school planning
ISU and the taxpayers of Indiana and Vigo County are being led down a path of deception once again.
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FLASHPOINT: Incessant attacks on Christianity by the ACLU
It is obviously apparent that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is continuing its onslaught against religious freedom in the United States.
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FLASHPOINT: Americans deserve more value for their tax dollars
While traveling the 8th District and listening to fellow Hoosiers during my first term in Congress, I have reached the conclusion that many constituents do not believe they are getting value for the tax dollars that come out of their paychecks and are sent to Washington, D.C.
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
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