Thursday, August 28, 2008 |
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A Popular Proposal |
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Posted by:
Michele Bachmann at
5:07 PM |
Editor-in-Chief of Popular Mechanics magazine placed a great op-ed in the October 2008 issue: Why Offshore Drilling Can Bridge Gap to U.S. Energy Future.
“Where would a more sensible energy policy start? Pickens is on the right track with his plan to increase use of natural gas. And McCain's call to allow more offshore drilling would significantly increase production. Alternatives such as wind or solar look better by the day, and, indeed, every major energy plan stresses them. But, it will take decades for the alternative-energy infrastructure to match our needs. We must have those offshore oil and gas reserves to bridge the gap.”
Give it a read by clicking here.
As Republicans in the House have been saying, it's going to take an All-of-the-Above approach to solve this crisis. As we get ready for the Labor Day weekend, a time when Americans usually like to get in one last summer get-away, remember that these high prices we're paying for gasoline (and will soon be paying for heat), could be dramatically lower. If we increase our supply domestically while doing what we can to conserve, the prices will have no where to go but down.
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Tuesday, August 26, 2008 |
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Minnesota's Declaration of Energy Independence |
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Posted by:
Michele Bachmann at
12:48 PM |
I wish I could have posted about this earlier, but on Saturday, the Minnesota Republican Caucus unveiled their Declaration of Energy Independence at the Minnesota State Fair.
Freedom Dogs posted about it on Saturday, and I recommend you give it a read.
One of the most alarming statistics the Caucus points out in their release is the steep rise in heating bills Minnesotans will be faced with this winter.
Early predictions for home heating bills this winter give a potential look at the cost of inaction by Democrat leadership. Recent news reports cite natural gas bills growing to average $1,400 this winter, up from $1,000 last winter. Making matters worse, some customers on monthly budget plans still owe bills from last year’s exceptionally cold temperatures. They can expect increases of up to 80 percent according to natural gas providers.
So if gas prices weren't high enough, here come your heating bills. Even T. Boone Pickins, the Democrats' favorite oil man, is in favor of a substantial increase in the production of natural gas. In fact, he'd like to eventually see all cars running on natural gas which is an admirable goal, but one that can't happen if the 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the Outer Continental Shelf is kept off-limits. Remember, this debate about drilling isn't only about oil but about natural gas to heat our homes and hopefully one day, fuel our cars.
I'm cautiously optimistic that when Congress reconvenes for its final three work weeks of the year, Speaker Pelosi will cast aside her partisanship and put forth a sensible and comprehensive energy plan. Yes to increased domestic drilling for oil and natural gas. Yes to investing in energy alternatives. And yes to conservation. However, all three legs of the stool must be be given equal consideration.
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Friday, August 22, 2008 |
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Their Solution: A 4 Day Work Week |
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Posted by:
Michele Bachmann at
1:23 PM |
As if Nancy Pelosi and her leadership team didn't get enough time off with their August recess, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) is advocating a four-day work week to help federal employees who are struggling with high gasoline costs.
Hoyer’s proposal may help his constituents – his district is largely Washington, D.C. suburbs home to many federal employees – but it does nothing for Minnesotans and Americans all over the nation. While I'm not knocking the benefits of increased conservation, this gimmick isn't necessary when there are real legislative solutions like the American Energy Act that not only promotes conservation, but also focuses on lowering energy prices by increasing safe, domestic energy production and by encouraging the development of alternative and renewable energy sources and technologies.
We need a real solution to this energy crisis for all Americans, not just a band-aid for some.
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Friday, August 22, 2008 |
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Win Free Gas for One Year |
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Posted by:
Michele Bachmann at
11:59 AM |
Newt Gingrich is featuring a new contest on his YouTube page that will make one talented movie producer a very lucky driver. Take a look.
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Thursday, August 21, 2008 |
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Global Warming Debate Heats Up |
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Posted by:
Townhall.com Staff at
2:07 PM |
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As the election season intensifies, the ongoing debate about global warming is heating up, too. The National Center for Policy Analysis addressed global warming in a recent post on Daily Policy Digest, noting how many international organizations are calling for increased spending. The post cites the August issue of Townhall Magazine, in which contributing editor Terry Jones does a thorough job of spelling out the situation to conservatives. His piece should incite Americans on both sides of the aisle to voice their opinion and ensure billions of taxpayer dollars don’t go to waste. To read each of Terry Jones’ columns, subscribe to Townhall Magazine here and you will have the knowledge you need to combat the liberal agenda. Subscribe today and receive a free copy of "Mexifornia" by Victor Davis Hansen with your 12 issues!
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Tuesday, August 19, 2008 |
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Petition Congress to Act Now On Energy |
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Posted by:
Michele Bachmann at
9:43 AM |
The Minnesota Majority is circulating a petition urging your U.S. Representative and Senators to enact the American Energy Act (H.R. 6566) to "bring relief to American families and improve our energy and economic security."
I urge you to check out their site and sign. It's because of the pressure that Americans from around the country have been putting on Speaker Pelosi and her office that she is at least now considering a vote on increased energy production here in the U.S..
We must reduce our dependence on foreign oil and replace it with increased domestic production. It's smart national security policy and smart economic policy, reducing the costs of goods and services while creating jobs in the process. The American Energy Act offers the American people the ideal solution: increased domestic production, increased investment in renewable energies and technologies, and greater conservation. The problem is Speaker Pelosi won't allow it to come to a vote.
Minnesota's five Democrat Representatives voted with Speaker Pelosi to skip-town rather than take a vote on the American Energy Act.
Let's keep the pressure on Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats who are following her lock step.
Click here to sign the petition.
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Friday, August 15, 2008 |
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We're Ready to get Back to Work |
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Posted by:
Michele Bachmann at
3:51 PM |
Today, I joined my fellow Republicans on the floor of the House to continue our call for Speaker Pelosi to return Congress to work to vote on comprehensive energy reform.
Congress has had more than enough opportunities to consider energy legislation to cut our nation’s rising gas prices. But, instead of acting, Speaker Pelosi and Democrat leadership ignored the cries of the American people and went on vacation.
Yesterday, I met with Lake Elmo firefighters to talk about how the energy crisis is impacting their ability to serve as first responders. And speaking with drivers yesterday filling up their cars in Stillwater, it is clear that Minnesotans are frustrated with Congress’ inaction on this issue. The high cost of gasoline is destroying local budgets and family budgets alike.
How long do the American people have to struggle before Speaker Pelosi takes notice?
My Republican colleagues and I will continue to work in Congress and throughout August recess to see that families all across the nation get the help they need. Supporting the Republican solution for an All-of-the Above energy strategy is critical to help Minnesotans get back on their feet.
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Thursday, August 14, 2008 |
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Washington Post Debunks 3 Popular Drilling Myths |
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Posted by:
Michele Bachmann at
12:19 PM |
A couple of days late, but I wanted to get this Washington Post Editorial to all of you in case you missed it. It’s entitled, Snake Oil, and it debunks 3 myths about drilling that opponents are quick to offer as to why we should not be drilling for more oil here in the United States. While I don’t agree with some of it, especially their reservations about drilling in ANWR, the arguments they make to disprove these 3 myths are sound.
Myth 1: Drilling is pointless because the United States has only 3 percent of the world's oil reserves.
Myth 2: The oil companies aren't using the leases they already have.
Myth 3: Drilling is environmentally dangerous.
Read the article here.
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Thursday, August 14, 2008 |
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Give Speaker Pelosi a Ring |
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Posted by:
Michele Bachmann at
10:07 AM |
Tomorrow I’ll be on the House floor taking part in the historic GOP revolt against the Democrats’ complete inaction on this energy crisis. Don’t bother to turn on C-SPAN to watch because Speaker Pelosi has made sure that the lights are off, the mikes are off, and the public can’t see or hear a thing.
Earlier this week on Larry King Live, Pelosi said she would consider a vote on some drilling if it were part of a larger energy package. While Republicans are clearly making progress on a comprehensive energy strategy for the American people, more work still needs to be done.
Please call Speaker Pelosi at (202) 225-4965 and ask her to return the House to session NOW to consider serious energy legislation that not only pursues a greater investment in renewable energies and technologies, but also provides for increased domestic drilling in the OCS, the oil shale areas, and the 10-02 Area of ANWR.
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Wednesday, August 13, 2008 |
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Modern Marvels |
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Posted by:
Michele Bachmann at
2:14 PM |
So much attention in this energy debate has been paid to the use of oil to fuel our cars and homes. But oil has a lot of other uses in our daily lives. Tonight on the History channel's Modern Marvels, they will be airing a show entitled, Secrets of Oil.
Here's what the History Channel has for a teaser on their website:
"Rubber, Plastic, Nylon, Aerosols, Resins, Solvents, and Lubricants--none can exist without oil. If we stopped driving our cars tomorrow, America would still need five million barrels of oil a day. Visit Vulcan Materials, where oil tanks are emptied into massive double-barrel mixers to make asphalt and then continue to the Rolls Royce Aerospace Facility where complex jet fuels are blended. Travel back to the 1870's to see how an unemployed whale oil salesman turned a greasy oil-drilling by-product into a household staple: Vaseline. Finally discover how cutting-edge recycling techniques can breathe new life into used motor oil, and where a number of renewable fuels and technologies take aim at oil sovereignty."
Seems like an interesting twist to the same old debate about oil.
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Friday, August 08, 2008 |
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$10, $20, $30 Gas? |
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Posted by:
Michele Bachmann at
2:32 PM |
Check out this video that Americans for Prosperity shot on Tuesday at a MoveOn.org protest on drilling.
I think it's more than a coincidence that many are sporting Obama gear. I think we can all agree that less supply and more demand is not a workable solution.
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Wednesday, August 06, 2008 |
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Why I Miss the House |
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Posted by:
Tom DeLay at
12:02 PM |
This is one of the few times since I’ve resigned from Congress that I actually truly miss it. As you all have heard, House Republicans decided to forego the August District Work Period to stay in D.C. and work on an energy bill that will actually lower gas prices and protect our economy. While the Democrat leadership turned off the lights and went home, House Republicans flew back to D.C. to continue work on the energy crisis. There are no C-SPAN cameras rolling, but Members of Congress are still talking. This is truly historic and exciting and all activists should feel very encouraged by this display of unity among Republicans.
Action Points:
Read More... |
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Wednesday, August 06, 2008 |
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The Best Civics Lesson in Washington |
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Posted by:
Matt Lewis at
10:41 AM |
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The Heritage Foundation's The Foundry Blog is urging conservatives to take action today:
"Americans of all political stripes have a rare opportunity to observe history firsthand as Republicans continue to speak on the House floor about U.S. energy policy. Regardless of where you stand politically or on the energy debate specifically, this is your opportunity to sit on the House floor and watch this debate unfold with your own eyes."
They encourage conservatives to do one of three things to take action:
- Call your member of Congress (find a list here) or the Capitol switchboard (202-224-3121).
- Tell your congressman that you want to visit the House floor to see the action. Regardless of political party, your member should accommodate you. (You cannot bring bags, cameras, video equipment or mobile phones on the floor.)
- If for some reason your member of Congress is unwilling to help, you should call the Republican Whip’s Office at 202-225-0197.
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