Candidates Argue Over Escalating Gasoline Prices

[CShine]

AUSTIN, May 22 -- President Bush and challenger John F. Kerry sparred Saturday over the spike in gasoline prices, with the Republican incumbent calling for increased energy exploration in Alaska and the Democrat arguing for new attention to alternative fuels.

With average gasoline prices exceeding $2 per gallon and few predicting significant relief before the November election, the matter has gained new political importance and become an area of concern in an otherwise improving economy. In dueling radio addresses, the two candidates outlined their views of energy policy.

Bush, who was in Austin on Saturday to celebrate his daughter Jenna's graduation from the University of Texas, spoke of his 2001 energy legislation, which emphasized expanded domestic production and called for exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. "This national strategy would help make our country less dependent on foreign sources of energy," Bush said. "Yet, these measures have been repeatedly blocked by members of the Senate, and American consumers are paying the price."

Kerry, who has been a leader of the opposition to drilling in the refuge, agreed that the problem was too much reliance on foreign oil but offered a different remedy. The Massachusetts senator proposed tax incentives for makers and buyers of fuel-efficient vehicles and more government spending on alternative fuels. "Let's ensure that no young American soldier has to fight and die because of our dependence on foreign oil," Kerry said. "This is the great project for our generation."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48379-2004May22.html

[louis-t]

1. that's it, bushie...

keep saying that an oil source that would provide less than 2% of our CURRENT energy needs will SAVE us all. And don't forget that by the time the first barrel of crude comes out of the ground, our energy needs will have increased by another 20%(not to mention China whose needs will grow as their American fed economy allows more Chinese to drive). And by the way, drilling for oil in Alaska won't bring down the price of gas ONE SINGLE CENT. Starting to get it now you moron?

[TahitiNut]

2. A $0.50/gallon federal import tax would be a good idea.

Combined with a energy profits tax on corporations, it could be used to stabilize fuel costs over the long term. The taxes could be used to make major investments (public equity) in public transit infrastructures: regional fast rail service, local light rail service, etc. When price/gallon increased at a rate greater than CPI+Exchange, the import tax could be lowered to dampen the impact. The key would be a contrarian tax management policy.

I'd still prefer the complete nationalization of energy services - exploring, drilling, importing, refining, and distribution (including pipelines).

[Toots]

4. Sometimes you are over my head

:shrug: I don't have a college degree.

[happynewyear]

3. *'s solution is NO solution

We need to seriously focus on finding and developing alternative energy programs and methods.

This was strongly suggested in the 70's but no one listened. Is it too late now?

I really don't believe it is the average Joe creating this problem (although SUVs do suck). Blame it on the big users of oil in our country - CORPORATIONS!

[truthisfreedom]

5. alaska doesn't have more than 6 months of oil underground (at current US

levels of usage.) it's ridiculous to destroy something so beautiful to get such short-term gains.

[Massacure]

6. The U.S. should reply more on rails.

Why have so many trucks go cross country when you can use the same amount of fuel but carry 10 times the load with a train?

Then you raise the gas mileage requirement across the board.