Drill our way out of the energy crisis, that is…
See, Barrack, not only can Republicans use slogans, we can actually put substantive, effective policy behind them — then, we can fight for what we believe in. 🙂
Today (8/7), on the House floor, Republicans continued their revolt against high energy prices — forced on us by Pelosi Democrats who are beholden to extreme environmentalist special interests.
And, Republicans aren’t alone. Support for drilling now — along with developing alternative energy solutions for the future — is actually quite bi-partisan.
Right now, it appears as if Pelosi, in her ill-informed mission to “Save the Planet” has forgotten what compassion for working American families – whose food and fuel budgets are strained to the breaking point – looks like.
Leader Boehner has summed up the Republican rebuttal: “the notion that we have to choose between “saving the planet” and making America energy independent is false.”
Today, I was able to actually get — not just in the gallery — but on the floor. Along with a couple of hundred of tourists, we were ushered in by Republican Congressmen and sat in Members seats. There was real energy in the room and lots of clapping, cheering and even one standing ovation from the crowd while I was there.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy said it this way:
There are two things Congress needs: accountability and adult supervision.
I agree. So does every Member of Congress who has been participating in floor speeches all week to draw attention to the inaction of this “Drill Nothing Congress.”
Just today, these members participated:
The Republicans have been opening each day of their “rump session” with prayer — asking the Almighty for guidance. They say the Pledge of Allegiance and then they start talking about energy. and then they talk about energy some more. they are ushering the tourists onto the floor through the cloakroom and asking them to tell their neighbors about the Republican “all of the above” (conservation, traditional and alternative) energy plan. then, they talk about energy. They are asking President Bush to call Congress back. And they are demanding that Speaker Pelosi come back from vacation and let Congress vote on real energy solutions. And, did I mention that they are taking turns talking about energy? It actually looks quite well organized.
The members I heard were obviously having fun with the audience. The lights were still off. The microphones were still off. There were no cameras. But, one after another, members of Congress were literally preaching to the crowd and, even after a long day, they were clearly enjoying the opportunity to take their message directly to the people.
Here are a few of the points I heard:
“We respect every members vote. What we don’t respect is not even having a vote.” – Rep. Chris Shays. Shays also explained how Canada takes natural gas from beneath the ocean floor near the border they share with us, then pipes it all the way to New England, where it serves half a million homes. If they are doing it, why aren’t we, he asked?
“We need to come together on an all of the above energy solution.” & “this challenge is well within our reach” – Rep. Todd Akin, who described how Congress has failed because of partisan divisions where 91% of Republicans vote for developing American energy while 89% of Democrats vote against it. He believes that if there is a vote now, Americans will be watching and their representatives will vote “yes” to develop American energy.
And, Rep. Dan Burton said:
“We have about fifty Democratic members that will vote for a pro-drilling bill. The Speaker is blocking that vote.”
As 4pm neared, Republicans brought the days speeches to a close in the same way they had started them — with a prayer for our Country.
Rep. Louie Gohmert waxed eloquent as he explained the evenings’ closing ceremony to the crowd:
“Some of you are wondering if it’s OK (to pray in here). That’s actually the way Congress starts everyday. We aren’t the source of wisdom. We just try to reflect the wisdom we get from above and from our constituents.”
Gohmert went on to tell the story of how Benjamin Franklin, 5 weeks into the Constitutional Convention, when it seemed like no progress had been made, called on his colleagues to join in prayer – a tradition that has been followed by the people’s representatives ever since. From a small scrap of paper held in his hand, Gohmert read Ben Franklin’s words to the assembled tourists — of every age group, race, and (judging by clothing styles and head dress) several religions:
I have lived sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And, if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that ‘except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.;
“I firmly believe this; and I also believe, that, without his concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel;…
“I therefore beg leave to move, that henceforth prayers, imploring the assistance of heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business: and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service.” (Ben Franklin)
After quoting Franklin, Gohmert was joined at the front of the chamber by four other Congressmen. Together, they lead the nearly 250 citizens (who had filled the chamber and parts of the gallery) in singing the days benediction: “God Bless America” acapella.
It was an inspiring moment. I have to hand it to the conservative Republicans who started this and to the Republican leadership for bringing the whole caucus along. The grassroots is excited for the first time in a long time. As a commenter on michellemalkin.com said, “Finally a GOP I can support.”
Oh, and if Barrack wants a few more slogans, he should try one of these:
Drill Here; Drill Now; Pay Less or American Energy NOW!
Those are real winners with the American people!
It really is a movement:
