Conservatives Stay Under The Covers With Big Oil

As predicted here last week, House leaders put an "All of the Above" energy bill on the floor.

And conservatives in Congress -- who pretended to support an "All of the Above" energy policy all summer -- rejected it, staying under the covers in bed with Big Oil.

The compromise bill -- which both allows states to lift bans on coastal drilling and repeals handouts to Big Oil so we can invest in clean energy -- passed the House without conservative support. Furthermore, President Bush -- for years the lead whiner demanding more drilling -- threatened to veto the bill.

Why? As the New York Times reports:

Among other objections, House Republicans joined industry in criticizing the measure because it would eliminate about $18 billion in tax breaks for oil companies, including a manufacturing deduction of particular benefit to large firms. The savings from the oil companies would be diverted to pay for tax breaks and incentives for renewable fuels, vehicles that use alternative energy and other fuel efficiency programs and research.

To review, conservatives are rejecting a bill that allows for more coastal drilling and more clean energy -- the exact "All of the Above" approach they claimed they wanted -- because it would take away special favors for Big Oil.

Whatever problems there are with this bill, it has served a useful purpose. It has exposed the lie that conservatives really believe in a comprehensive "All of the Above" energy policy.

Anything that makes Big Oil the least bit unhappy -- making oil companies pay their fair share in taxes, forcing oil companies to compete with clean energy companies, and actually giving us a choice for the energy we buy -- conservatives will fight to the hilt.

And since the conservative minority is large enough to either filibuster a compromise bill in the Senate, or sustain a veto from President Bush, we will remain at the mercy of Big Oil -- and forced to keep buying huge amounts of increasingly expensive oil.

Until that conservative minority becomes even smaller, our energy policy will not change, will not become more affordable and will not become cleaner.

Originally posted at OurFuture.org

Follow Bill Scher on Twitter: www.twitter.com/billscher

Comments

[LMT]

07:14 AM on 09/20/2008

If and when any bill is passed to allow offshore drilling, I hope someone starts some kind of big internet based clock to count the days until all that cheap oil floods our domestic markets and causes the price of gas to plummet. I said it should be a "BIG" clock because it is going to be a VERY long time (like...NEVER) before that happens, and I want a continuous reminder out there for the "drill, drill, drill" Re.pubes...not that it will matter to them in the end. ...sigh...

[ItHasToGetBetter]

11:51 PM on 09/19/2008

Why am I not surprised? The biggest problem here is that they just don't care about the people in this country and what they're doing to them. They're so greedy and selfish that as long as they don't suffer by being treated like everyone else, they're ok with these policies. Heaven forbid they should be treated like the great unwashed. This country is turning into a joke and we're letting it happen. These people work for us. Why the hell are they still there? I'm so sick to death of our "leaders" not looking out for the people of their country. They're too busy lining their own pockets. THEY WORK FOR US AND IT'S TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE. Not just with the President.

[hypnotoad72]

05:56 PM on 09/19/2008

I know a Republican, who say that capitalism is justified in letting one gouge and rob others... yet these same people gripe and moan and bleat every time gas prices go up; claiming they are being robbed.

Hmmm. Even I know how to think better than that. And I have a documented learning disability. What's his excuse?

[dbm1966]

02:48 PM on 09/19/2008

At first I was so mad at the Democrats for "caving in." Now I see the genius behind this compromise Bill. A couple other points: the bill gives states the right to determine whether drilling may be performed a certain distance from their shores. As Republicans are always talking about putting decisions in the hands of states, they should be thrilled! Second, I don't think oil companies really want to drill. Many have said they don't even have the drill bits. Moreover, they are not drilling in the massive areas where they already had permission to drill. I think the Democrats realized they could pass legislation allowing offshore drilling, knowing that the drilling probably would not even occur, and in the process turn the Republicans into the bad guys who are delaying the legislation. I don't think many Americans feel sorry that oil companies, who posted record profits in the last year, will have to pay their fair share of taxes.

[JXJASON]

02:39 PM on 09/19/2008

Thank you for pointing this out.

The Republicans are the problem. The people should vote for Democrats. I will vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

We will solve this problem and remove oil subsidies for the big oil companies.

OBAMA / BIDEN 08

[littledogs1]

10:30 AM on 09/19/2008

Just another reason we must vote strait Dem in november. With Barack Obama as president and more dems in both houses we would be able to push through a real energy policy. People don't seem to realize that the mess we are in now is the making of the 50 year orgie that Big oil has been having with the republican party. This week John Mccain has been trying to hit Obama over the head with the energy bill he voted for a couple of years ago, what they fail to tell people is that bill was the only way to get the tax credits past for tax payers to do energy improvements such as insulation, hybrids, energy savings windows and Appliances, ect.... My Electric bill has droped over 200 a month in the summer because I took advantage of the tax credits and changed out all windows, doors, my central air unit and added additional insulation to my attic. Republicans had blocked the other bills that were put up that did not include bennies for them, so a comp was reached.

[jean1]

12:14 PM on 09/19/2008

thank you for your comment. i would have done what you did IF i'd had the financial resources (no small amt) to take advantage of the tax credits. there could be SO much more done to help people use less energy from coal fired power plants. yes, it's needed cause the initial price to install everything/retrofit in my case is SO high. goes back to strong utility/coal lobby and representatives/senators making dollars off their investments in same. -from my perspective in rural america

[RichHayes]

08:47 AM on 09/19/2008

If you want to remove big oils grip on US domestic politics then use less oil. Not easy in a land that has been designed for a century with maximum oil usage in mind. There is no other real option open. Individuals must now step up to the plate and reduce their oil consumption.

Nothing will change until consumers change.

[JXJASON]

02:45 PM on 09/19/2008

I have done this. I have an empty oil tank at my home. I wash in the morning with cold water. We have had no hot water since April 15th.

Electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden will help us by reducing subsidies for the oil companies.

Let the oil executives take salary cuts... Just like the middle class has taken pay cuts with higher prices for everything.

WAKE UP AMERICA

VOTE FOR

OBAMA / BIDEN 08

[mamacat]

05:34 AM on 09/19/2008

For the neo-cons, this bill is not about offshore drilling, it is about taking away the tax breaks and tax credits (billions and billions worth) that the Republicans gave away to Big Oil when they had control of Congress.

The people of America voted Republicans out of the majority for a very good reason - the GOP showed us that they are corrupt, incompetent, hypocrital liars. Now they are showing us that they are bought and paid for by Big Oil. When will they cooperate with the Dems for the greater good, and stop all of their lying and bribe-taking? Are we going to have to wait until they are voted completely out of government?

[noneIn2008]

09:32 PM on 09/18/2008

In our brave new world you morph language to call these guys conservatives. They are neocons and have very little in common with conservatives. They are big government merchantilists, some would call facist. We now have two parties, facists and communists. Either way the people lose.

[krivka]

07:20 PM on 09/18/2008

Why, if we live in a capitalist society, SHOULD tax breaks be given to any endeavor that is profitable? I don't mind drilling, but I think government should be paid a fair price for the leases. (orgies don't count) And as far as state rights go, that is also a good idea. Let the states dictate the prices, just like the Great Lake states should be able to control their water reserves. But no taxes should be paid out for tax breaks to the any energy company. This is where we should allow the market do its magic. But maybe it is just that. Magic. Maybe the system is all smoke and mirrors.

[toochie50]

12:38 PM on 09/18/2008

you got that right - when T Boone Pickens was on radio with H a n n i t y yesterday, because he didn't say everything that the con-servative H a n n i t y wanted him to say - like drill baby drill would solve all these problems and Pickens said no way - he was suddenly cut off - bye bye see ya

[nutty4tahoe]

02:00 PM on 09/19/2008

While I support T. Boone Pickens' endorsement of wind generated power, let us all remember that T. Boone Pickens was one of the two major principals who bankrolled 2004's swiftboating of John Kerry. I have no respect for the guy. None.

[Oback]

10:16 AM on 09/18/2008

i support the house bill in that it allows drilling for oil where there is little or no oil. We need higher oil prices to make our pie in the sky alternatives cost effective. Yes, it's true that high gas prices will hurt the middle class the most but it's time they learned that the world is sick and tired of our using so much energy and the middle class just needs to get over it. Yes, yes, I know that Democrat policies have caused the high prices that are destroying the auto industry, the trucking industry, the travel industry and other energy intensive industry, but our standing in the eyes of the world will increase dramatically if we reduce our use of fossil fuels. I am counting on the fact that the unions will still support me and those boz.. irr... aaah workers will still vote for me and when they do, I will get new and better and more ethical jobs for them in green industries that the auto workers and teamsters will love.
Vote for the energy genius, Oback Arama

[freedomalert]

12:19 AM on 09/18/2008

Yeah right!

[only1Demvoter]

01:33 PM on 09/17/2008

Thanks for the heads - up Bill.

More obstructionism from the Rethugs... We've got it right up to here, out here in Cali as well !

( What a mess... )


-ralph

[nookly23]

11:56 AM on 09/17/2008

WOW another BIASED view. What a shocker. Well, since this site does not beleive is reporting the entire truth I will. The largest portion of the oil is located within 50 miles of the cost. The repubs did not block this bill because of repeal of tax breaks on big oil. This bill would not do much of anything to expand domestic oil drilling. This country would be better off letting the old bill expire at the end of this month that will allow oil drilling with all the add ons the dems like to add. This is just another example of Queen Pelosi trying to see if Americas are as dumb as she thinks we are. This is merely an illusion to trying to get something done, without really doing anything.

[Bill Scher]

12:30 AM on 09/18/2008

It's called a compromise. It doesn't have all the drilling conservatives want. It doesn't have all the money for renewable energy liberals want. Congressional leaders were willing to give a little to get a little. Conservatives were not.

If conservatives were sincere about an "All of the Above" energy strategy, they would have accepted half a loaf, and fought for the rest later. But because there were provisions that made Big Oil unhappy, they whined and cried and made excuses. All of which exposed the fact that conservatives do not believe in "All of the Above." They believe in keeping America dependent on oil.

[irishgawdess]

05:05 AM on 09/18/2008

Which should be the next talking point for Obama's campaign... expose the Republican conservatives for what they are: enablers. They don't walk the talk, but they can sure BS those who aren't paying attention.

[quadman]

06:08 PM on 09/18/2008

Bill you are intentionally being misleading. Here is a quote from another HuffPo piece:

"Last night the Democrats gave something to the oil companies, they allowed them to drill off shore... 50 miles or more off shore, and, only if the State agrees. Fifty miles away where an oil-spill would not damage our shorelines and there is little to no oil. The oil companies are not going to drill there."

So in other words, the Dems agreement to allow drilling was a sham since they knew that no oil would be drawn from it anyway. Most Americans favor drilling to expand domestic resources. The Dem bill is a scam to superficially placate those who don't look any deeper than the headlines, but in reality do not address the desires of most constituents.

And you are trying to peddle the same. You are not for 'all of the above'. Most Americans are.

[ICanHasDemocracy]

02:07 PM on 09/18/2008

Nook-
The largest portion of the oil is located within 50 miles of the cost

The cost of what? Oh, you mean the coast...which coast?

Usually, when trying to make your point succinctly, citing examples helps.

What Geological survey are you referring to?