Among the many reasons Barack Obama is giving for the high (and rising) price of gasoline, there is one rather glaring omission: that prices are going up because it's exactly what Barack Obama wants.
At least, that's what the president's Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, said in testimony to Congress on Wednesday.
According to Chu, Obama has no "overall goal to get our price" of gasoline lower. But why? In part, because prohibitively expensive gas will encourage car buyers to consider hybrid and electric vehicles, and also build public enthusiasm for the president's over-funded and under-producing programs to collect energy from solar panels, wind turbines, and algae farms.
Yeah, right. Although mostly it's going to make people stop buying cars because as gas prices go up, employment goes down, and costs of living skyrocket.
But again, that's exactly what this president wants, which is why he's done everything possible to discourage energy exploration and development in our country, and killed projects like the Keystone XL pipeline. Think about it: less employment means more dependency on government. Higher cost of living expenses increase the demand for higher governmental payouts (and the subsequent demand to storm the McMansions of the Evil Rich for rape, pillage, and plunder).
It's a win-win-win situation for Obama: he gets to pass out "green energy" taxpayer billions to his politically connected friends, while increasing the power of Islamic oil providers overseas, and forcing more and more Americans to vote for Socialism.
So next time you're feeling sticker shock at the pump, don't forget that it's all part of Obama's master plan. And at least you still get a free lube job with every fill up!
Of course, what he'll do to you after the lube job isn't pretty...
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Does the spirit of Patrick Henry still live? In some, yes, but what about in most? How many of us are beaten down to the point where we are now willing to live on our knees and too timid to act for change because we fear the unknown path to which change will lead?
ReplyDeleteI am not a natural leader and don't imagine myself as anything but average. But I would cry bitter tears to admit that I have become a sheep and a coward and that my own life is worth more than my country and the future of our children.
Well maybe I'm a blathering optimist, but I thing Barry's plan is going to jum pu and bite him in the ass. If gas if 5 bucks a gallon or more next November, I really think people will blame him rather than applaud him.
ReplyDeleteAnd AHD said a real mouthful. Many of us are going to have to step it up and become leaders. Look at Andrew Breitbart for insiration. He was a blogger, but saw that this just wasn't enough and got involved... big time.
I am REALLY interested in what his "October surprise" is. We are supposed to find out on a couple of weeks. I hope and pray its something very big and something very damning.
Geez, I hate this comments page. Sorry for all the typos!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I cannot believe anyone could be possibly this politically inept in an election year. Again, I see two directions that Øbama is travelling:
ReplyDelete• Re-election is to be obviated
• He knows he will not get re-elected, and is trying to enact as many of his policies as he can
In the latter, one is left with the question of whether he is enacting them because he believes them to be heap big medicine for the country, or he's trying to accelerate our collapse to obviate the requirement for re-election.
Speaking of lube....
ReplyDeleteWhen the government promises to provide a service for you, just remember that another meaning for
"service" is what the bull does to the cow.
Mooo......
I saw a news clip of obama saying that more drilling would not bring down gas prices. In his world, more supply of a product does not decrease its price.
ReplyDeleteAs for October, look for a release of oil from the Strategic Reserve timed to decrease prices at the pump right before the election.
Is there enough oil in the Reserves to make a flipping difference? I KNOW there's not enough money of the Evil Rich to make up the difference.
ReplyDeleteAs for prizes and freebie handouts - the government can't give you ANY thing it didn't already steal from someone else. Sad how few people have a problem w/ this...
So, Chu wants gasoline prices as high here as in Europe, eh? Yes, well, the price of oil and gasoline is the same for everyone everywhere -- it's the taxes (or subsidies) that are different. As the real price of oil goes up the price in Europe will climb anyway. We can't ever catch up unless we slap ridiculous taxes on the gasoline at the pump. Europeans aren't buying oil at say $200 a barrel and us at a $100, that's for sure. So is Chu now advocating for a massive tax hike on gasoline to make it the same? That should go over well, eh?
ReplyDeleteDo these people even realize that Europe has 100 million more people than we do in 1/3 the space, and population densities are therefore so much higher, and the larger part of their cities were built in the horse and buggy and walking ages, and ours are not? It seems doubtful.
Then, when the cars all go hybrid and electric, where is all this electricity going to come from? From oil, gas and coal fired plants of course. Plants that are probably not being built because of the EPA and DOE.
Well, this is what happens when politicians try to control the natural forces of a market economy, it goes nuts. A blog response is no place to expand on this, but Chu's and Obama's plans won't work, they can't. Which is what makes me optimistic that the charade can't go on forever.
@Angry Hoosier Dad- In a classic bit of good news/bad news, the known path increasingly looks so bad that an unknown path looks pretty good. And I think that when the primary season finally staggers to a close, we'll see the Tea Party out again in full force to storm Obama's political gates. I'm certainly going to do everything I can to help make that happen.
ReplyDelete@Colby- I'm really thinking about Breitbart's example, and how much effect blogging does or doesn't have. Hope n' Change gets pleasant readership numbers, but is a flyspeck compared to big liberal sites. And of course, I'm unable to break news - rather, I give my spin on it, and try to break it down to core elements which can be communicated more clearly. And add some humor to help the medicine go down and keep spirits up. But is it the most effective thing I could be doing? Possibly...but I'm going to be thinking a lot about it.
And on another note, whatever video Breitbart was promising to release (on the day of his death, it turns out) - I hope it blows Obama's reelection chances right out of the water.
(And on a purely technical note, I hate the continually escalating problems of Blogger's comment system too. I'm considering migrating to a different system, though there are significant downsides in terms of your Google visibility when you essentially change the address of every link to your site.)
@Emmentaler- I think the Bamster figures he can dodge much of the reelection heat regarding gas prices because he'll have access to plenty of old video showing Republicans pointing out that the president doesn't control the price of gas (leftover from the days when Obama was blaming Bush for gas prices). Plus, Obama's reelection theme is straight up class warfare - so if he appoints himself the little peoples' champion against bloated, profiteering oil companies, he can actually turn this issue to his favor.
So that's the short term reelection strategy...but the long term strategy is what I described in the commentary: destory the American economy to force the citizens to accept (or even demand) Socialism and government control.
@Anonymous- When you put it that way, I suddenly understand why it's become so painful to ride my unicycle.
@CenTexTim- Supply and Demand is so last century! And I'm sure you're right; if the political heat gets to be too much, Obama will release some of the strategic reserves. Because reelection is the only strategy that matters to him.
@Pete(Detroit)- There doesn't have to be enough oil in the Reserves to make a big difference. Just a bump around election day.
And as you say, it's stunning how many people think our government runs on magic "Obama money." Our school children should be taught from day one that the Government has no money, and can produce no money - but it can take one person's money and give it to someone else. And does. And does. And does...
@Jim Hlavac- As you say, market forces can't be ignored or circumvented forever - even by the nitwits in this administration.
At work, we have the ability to set up an account to take money out pre-tax for transportation expenses. This year, the IRS implemented new rules that lowered the cap on the amount allowed for public transportation (to an amount that works out to be slightly less than a monthly train pass, so now I'm paying some post-tax), while keeping the monthly allowance for individual parking higher.
ReplyDeleteI can't figure out why the IRS is discouraging public transportation and favoring individual drivers, or how it fits into this "keep gas high" plan (if they're in sync at all).
@Stilton - please know that what you are doing here is important to a lot of people. It is my first Internet stop every day (once I get to the point where I have a little time to catch up on the real news in the new media). Don't sell yourself short; I, for one, NEED this site with your pithy delivery, insightful commentary and the comments of your followers. Thank you ... from the bottom of my heart!
ReplyDeleteMega-dittos to what Chuck said. We seldom say it but we appreciate that you are out there Stilton. Your humor may sometimes be of the "gallows" variety, but if you can't laugh while your swinging, when can you?
ReplyDeleteAnon, speaking of lube...
ReplyDeleteThose of us who were raised in cattle country will know that when the bull "does" the cow, he sort of sneaks up from behind, and POW! Before she knows it, she's been had... from the rear... when she least expected it. And does the bull offer her a glass of wine or a cigarette? Nope, just on to the next cow....Great analogy, you had!
Stilton, if you determine in your heart and mind that you must move on to greater things, you will be sorely missed, but you also have our blessings. But keep in mind, Mr. Breitbart did time with Arainna Huffington. Are you really willing to go that far?
CenTexTin, of course Da Won will figure out SOME way to make gas prices drop at just the precise moment in time that he thinks will have the best affect on his re-election. I just pray his timing is a bit off and it happens the day AFTER he loses the election. I can see the headline: "Obama Defeated in a 50 state Landslide! Gas Prices Drop Like Wile E. Coyote Going Off the Cliff!
@Yakko Warner- See, the government WANTS individual drivers so that they'll become enraged with gas prices and demand that the government give more grants to Democratic donors who are building windmills powered by unicorn farts. Either that, or they're just unbelievably stupid.
ReplyDeleteAnd I haven't seen your "Yakko Warner" name here in the comments before; are you new, or did you just come out of hiding after I mentioned Animaniacs recently? Either way, good to hear from you!
@Chuck- Thank you, very sincerely. When I ask myself what this blog could conceivably mean of any importance at all, I tell myself that just maybe by mixing some humor in with the unending bad news, I not only rile people up but maybe give them enough of a lift to keep fighting and stay active on some level. I don't care if that translates to people talking to other people, putting up yard signs, giving a few bucks to a candidate, attending a tea party rally, or whatever.
Clearly I'm not going to be converting many liberals on this site, and if I'm only preaching to the choir, I'm not accomplishing much. Unless, of course, the choir becomes motivated enough to go out into the community to do good works and make their own voices heard. That's what I hope I'm accomplishing here in a small way.
@Angry Hoosier Dad- Thank you, sir. And while it is nice to get positive feedback, I also get it just by the presence of the people who come here very regularly to read (my numbers are remarkably consistent - you folks either have great loyalty or OCD) and especially when people take time to comment.
ReplyDeleteI may not say it often enough, but you guys mean a lot to me, and are the only reason this blog exists.
@Colby- Fear not; I'm not planning on going anywhere anytime soon. Just wondering if there are some things I should be doing in addition to this blog (including making a larger effort to promote it). I have various other things which need to get done in life, including trying to earn a living, and so I'm currently trying to prioritize what must get done if I can't get everything done.
And hey, I love the "Wile E. Coyote" headline. That would be sweet!
Just remember that infamous quote where "energy rates will necessarily skyrocket". This is one of those few occasions where we can actually take this lying ratprick at his word. You want to know when this steaming pile is telling the truth? Just listen for anything which promises to be damaging to America.
ReplyDeleteObama has never really made it a secret that he actually wishes fuel prices to escalate. He's actually correct that it will only be high fuel prices that will force change from our petro-centeric economy. But it certainly is hypocritical to encourage high prices, and then pander to the electorate that it's not something he's encouraged. It will be amusing to watch him try to convince Americans come summertime that more "investments" in batteries or solar panels will alleviate this pain.
ReplyDelete@Jim Hlavac, the progressives have been fantasizing about euro-style gas prices for decades. They believe that by making gas unaffordable, they can squeeze middle-class Americans out of the suburbs and back into urban cores where they can be better controlled like the poor are. They have also always fantasized about all they could do with the revenue from euro-style fuel taxes. Contrary to popular euro-mythology, those tax revenues do not go to infrastructure or environmental remediation, but to pay for their massive welfare states.
But to be perfectly honest, today's high fuel prices aren't completely Obama's fault. The real reason that we're going to be paying more for fuel is because of 10 years of Keynesian economics; cheap money from the Fed, and trillions of dollars of bailouts and stimulus that did not create a corresponding growth in our national wealth. Simply put, our dollars are worth much less that they were a decade ago. Since oil is traded internationally in dollars, it is probably the clearest sign (like the rise in the stock market) that our dollars are getting cheaper by the day. And unfortunately, there's no amount of domestic drilling that can keep up with this level of fiscal malfeasance.
@ Colby:
ReplyDeleteAs a denizen of cattle country I'm sure you've heard about the young bull and old bull standing at the top of the hill looking at all the cows grazing in the valley below them. The young bull says to the old bull: "Why don't we run down the hill and "take" a couple of those cows?"
The old bull replies: "Why don't we walk down the hill and take all of them?"
@Mike Porter- I think you've given us a very reliable measure of whether B. Hussein is lying or not. If it's good for America...he's lying.
ReplyDelete@John the Econ- I don't even disagree that higher prices would help wean Americans off of idiotic energy use (I get VERY tired of seeing one soccer mom driving an SUV the size of a schoolbus). But as you say, Obama should have the balls to tell this to the American public rather than denying it like the skeevy weasel he is.
And may I commend you on your judicious use of bold type to make the rarely heard point that prices are going up because Obama, Geithner, et al are turning our currency into monopoly money! A recent study showed 8% "real" inflation, despite government figures to the contrary (and I'm sure there's no need to tell YOU about the way the gummint is cooking the books on inflation).
Lawd, lawd - I think I've excited myself into a case of the vapors...
@My Dog Brewski- The classics never go out of style. Thanks for sharing!
I’m with Chuck, I love this site & would experience deep withdrawal symptoms if I couldn’t visit on a regular basis. Thanks Stilt for the humor, candor and the platform for us to participate.
ReplyDeleteJohn The Econ has nailed it (once again) the weakened dollar is a huge player in the increasing gas prices.
The govt. has a lot of nerve calling the oil cos. evil & greedy. They make (on average) 2 cents per gallon profit. Whereas the govt. makes (in CA, NY, MA, HI & IL) over 60 cents per gallon in taxes. Who’s evil & greedy? The govt. isn’t drilling, refining or distributing the gas; they just sit back & collect the big bucks…….. from us. Granted the govt. provides the infrastructure for the gas guzzlers, however, electric cars need roads, too.
Yes, the government usually reports "core inflation", which excludes the more "volatile" commodities we typically consume, namely "food" and "energy", but is more heavily slated towards housing. Anyone who actually shops for groceries or purchases energy can tell you that there's been quite a bit of not-core inflation for the last 4 years while the value of their "housing" has been diminished significantly.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately for real consumers, we don't get a choice of being paid in "core" dollars...
Hey Dr. J .... have you thought of first mirroring this site to a new one. Then informing all who come to this one to ALSO link to the other one? Once enough have done so, then shut this one down.
ReplyDelete@SC- Yep, the government makes WAY more money at the gas pump than the evil oil companies do. Not that you'd know it from listening to the MSM.
ReplyDelete@John the Econ- The government really does have a magical way with numbers. Don't like unemployment figures? Then declare that some jobs and job hunters have simply disappeared! Inflation getting out of hand? Then don't count the "volatile" items! Is truth a problem for your reelection campaign? Then lie like a freakin' rug!
@Doc North Nevada- That's a pretty good idea. Now all I need to do is find a reliable server, teach myself wordpress, and learn how to mirror a site (grin).
I enjoy the comments here as much as your commentary & cartoons. There really needs to be a "like" button for all these wonderful contributors.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful that you understand exactly what's happening and can put it into words better than me. I've been shouting from the mountain tops that the high gas prices is what O'Bummer WANTS. He is destroying our country ON PURPOSE to remake it in 'his' socialist image.
God bless you all. Keep up the good work fellow Patriots!
@Sparky- Thanks for the nice words. I'd like a "like" button for the comments here too, but frankly I'm glad we can do comments at all with the recent changes to Blogger.
ReplyDeletePersonally, if there's a comment I don't like I'll say so - otherwise, everyone should assume that I do like them. I'm continually delighted by the people who share their voices here.
@ Stilton: I never get tired of watching consumers exercise their free will and freedom of choice in spending their money as they see fit.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, consider what you don't know about those "soccer moms" you seem to harbor some almost liberal-sounding disdain for; what's their backstory? I would probably cause you to roll your eyes, too, with my "school bus sized SUV" and only my head popping up over the gunwales. What you DON'T see is me having a family the size of a football team, a penchant for driving in places where four wheel drive is a definite enabler, ans not having enough cash to ALSO afford a small or electric commuting car. Like the good book says: judge not...
As for your blog, you know how I feel about it - I don't buy drinks for just anybody :o)
@Emmentaler- Oh, I know there can be an actual need for large vehicles for large families (and I live in a very family-oriented suburb). And for all I know, that soccer mom in the otherwise empty SUV is very good about consolidating her trips into as few as possible. So your point is well made and I will try to "judge not" rather than appoint myself Judge Knot. (Although today I saw just one woman driving a hot pink Hummer that was IMMENSE. I think I'll still call "wretched excess" on that one unless it was Linda Hamilton preparing for the Terminator-style invasion of SkyNet.)
ReplyDeletemmmMMmmmm, Linda Hamilton...
ReplyDeleteAs for "needing" this blog - we don't.
Period.
We got along before it, we'd survive it's demise (Some might even attempt to keep the "community" "together" on a similarly themed, tho likely feeble attempt at continuity.)
THAT having been said, I for one would sure as hell miss it sorely - it *is* the first place I go, most days, if only to 'catch up' on previous posts. I love you guys (and gals) and thanks SO much, Stilt, for providing us all the sandbox to play in.
Also, do NOT sell yourself short - you KNOW cartoons are being re-broadcast, echoing around the world with ripple like (if credited to England) effect.
Bravo, Sir, Bra-effing VO!
You and your sense of humor rock, and that's how We ROLL!!!! (Egg roll included "free" w/ combo...)
@Pete: Amen on the "rebroadcast bit". I often get these cartoons in emails from conservative friends. I even once had someone quote one of my comments here back to me in an email. Made me chuckle, and feel all stealthy-like.
ReplyDeleteNah, Stilt. Rest assured - you're having an impact beyond these pages. Now just don't go announcing you have some irrefutable proof damning some democrat-in-power. Like Kwame's dancer and Clinton's White-Water associate, I don't put a lot of stock into "coincidence". Especially altogether too timely and convenient coincidence...
@Pete(Detroit)- Thanks for the good and encouraging words. I guess at the moment, I'm trying to find the right balance of time and, especially, emotion to devote to this blog (there seems to be a direct ratio between how much news I read, and how many handfuls of hair I pull out while screaming). Maybe I should just listen to more New Age music during the day...
ReplyDelete@Emmentaler- I'll admit that it is fun when I discover that something from this site has gotten passed around, whether or not it still has the right attribution.
And I don't flatter myself that I'm a high-enough profile target to be at risk from the black helicopter crowd (although did you know there's apparently an EMP gun that can disrupt brainwaves and cause an untraceable heart attack? Neither did I until recently. Tinfoil hat, here I come!)
Stilt, Every welcome - you have EARNED it. Hope we can get to to pay for you at some point...
ReplyDeleteand yeah, the ultra sonic heart attack thing "I'd buy THAT for a dollar!" / Robocop...
Seriously - fully demo'd on pigs and Muslims...
Oh, wait, that would be Hindus, sorry...