Friday, December 03, 2010

Obama Gulf Oil Moratorium Exposes More Lies

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Months ago, in the face of an angry public over the loss of jobs over his Gulf of Mexico drilling moratorium, Obama stated the federal government would soon allow more domestic offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. However, Obama lied. The Interior Department has now placed a moratorium on offshore drilling off the Pacific, Atlantic, and eastern Gulf Coasts for at least seven years, citing last year’s British Petroleum oil spill as the excuse.

When running for president Obama indicated that breaking our dependence on foreign oil was among his main goals. Yet, the federal government's moratorium on offshore drilling in the Pacific, Atlantic, and eastern Gulf is yet another nail in the coffin for the idea of breaking our dependence on foreign oil. Reducing domestic production worsens the problem, and he knows it. He lied, he simply lied and expects us to accept his lies without so much as a peep.

Obama is now pursuing policies that are in complete contrast to what he had promised as a presidential candidate. His moratorium also runs against the economic interests of our nation. By banning oil drilling he has squashed a potential increase in jobs and economic activity that would be associated with domestic drilling.

The United States stands alone as the only nation with potential major offshore oil resources that is not actively pursuing them. However, the American government is allowing, without any protest, Cuba to bring in China, Russia, and Venezuela to drill a few miles off the Florida Keys. In fact, American tax payers have actually paid Brazil to drill in the Atlantic, though we will not do the same.

Instead of pursuing economically wise activities, such as domestic drilling of oil, this administration has instead pursued the pipe dream of creating green energy jobs, which requires taxpayer subsidies and government mandates - and a policy that has proven to be fatal in Spain.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

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