The Bush/Cheney Secret Energy Policy Causes Pain for Our Country

Since the beginning of the Bush Administration in 2000, we have been kept in the dark about the Bush/Cheney Energy Policy. Vice President Cheney orchestrated secret meetings with the oil industry executives, and has refused to release the hidden agenda. President Bush continues to support this secretive position. Therefore, we, the American public, experience escalating oil and gasoline prices, and uncontrolled energy costs in general, without knowing how our government has either manipulated prices behind the scene or closed their eyes to the energy corporation's greed. We do know that increasing energy prices have reduced our standard of living by draining more of our hard-earned cash into essential energy expenditures for transportation and home necessities. Our discretionary spending has declined, and will continue to do so, as the Bush/Cheney secret energy policy takes its toll.

While the reality of the secret policy unwinds in front of us, President Bush recently announced that "We Have to Stop our Addiction to Oil". Please explain, Mr. President, what you have in mind and how your secret policy will help reduce "our addiction"?

On April 25, 2006 President Bush gave a speech at a convention of the Renewable Fuels Association at which the President explained how he would rectify the energy problems. Let's examine some of his speech to try to decode the Bush/Cheney secret policy.

The President said: "To reduce prices our energy companies have to play a role. Listen, at record prices, these energy companies have got large cash flows." He went on to say as a result :" I am looking forward to Congress to take about $2 billion of these tax breaks (apparently referring to oil exploration tax subsidies) out of the budget over a ten year period."

As we all know the three largest U.S. energy corporation profits have hit record highs exceeding $16 billion for the first quarter of 2006, and will likely exceed $190 billion profit for this year alone. Well Mr. President, we really appreciate your concern and desire to roll back oil corporation tax subsidies over a ten year period in the amount of $2 billion. This amounts to a grand total of 1% of the three oil company's estimated 2006 profits, and less than 0.1% of their projected ten-year profits. The President's concern for the American people is overwhelmingly generous! Is this part of the Bush/Cheney secret energy policy?

The President's speech continued; "Second part of a good plan is—to confront high gasoline prices is to promote greater fuel efficiency". Please explain, Mr. President, why your administration has consistently refused to promote higher Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards if you really believe what you said? The President and his Republican-controlled Congress still refuses to consider legislation to impose higher fuel efficiency standards. Is this part of the Bush/Cheney secret energy policy?

The President continued; "Third part of the plan to confront high gas prices is to boost our supplies of crude oil and gasoline. Imagine how this will, "reduce our addiction to oil" as the President has admonished us. Boost supplies so that we will be addicted less. How so? We want lower prices Mr. President, not more corporate profits from increased production and sales. Is this part of the Bush/Cheney secret energy policy?

Later in his speech, the President said the following; "We also need to ensure that there are not needless restrictions on our ability to get gasoline to the pump. Under federal quality—air quality laws, some areas of the country are required to use fuel blend called reformulated gasoline. Now, as you well know, this year were going—undergoing a rapid transition in the primary ingredient in reformulated gas—from MTBE to ethanol." He went on to say: "So, I'm directing EPA Administrator Johnson to use all his available authority to grant waivers (allowing the continued use of MTBE) that would relieve critical fuel supply shortages." Maybe our president does not understand it is the price, not availibility that is the problem. He went on to say; "If Johnson finds that he needs more authority to relieve the problem, we're going to work with Congress to obtain the authority he needs".

Mr. President, why don't you tell us that MTBE is a probable carcinogen (lab animals develop cancers when exposed), and that it has already contaminated drinking water supplies throughout our country. The elimination of MTBE in gasoline is an public health necessity, and must not be exempted nor waived, even temporarilly. The National Institute of Health has issued a definitive report that the President must know about. Numerous reports dating from the early 1990's have also confirmed MTBE contamination of our aquifers and drinking water supplies, and its carcinogenic properties. Why is the President risking the nation's health, including those of newborns and infants, by permitting the use of MTBE as a gasoline additive? Do corporate profits have more importance than the health and well being of the American people? Is this part of the Bush/Cheney secret energy policy?

The President's speech lasted approximately 33 minutes, and the quotes and my commentary related to about 10 minutes of his speech. The remainder dealt with futuristic aspects of energy generation, increased refining capacity, supply of oil, and the Iraq war. You can read the entire speech on-line at Christian Communication Network.

If the President intended to explain his energy policy, in my opinion, he failed. The BUSH/CHENEY energy policy remains a secret between his Administration and the Republican-controlled Congress, as orchestrated by the multinational U.S. Energy Corporations (whose executives probably control the secret energy policy). We all feel pain caused by the Bush/Cheney secret policy at the gas pump, and when we pay our home heating and electricity bills. From what the President had to say, more pain is certainly coming. This is the result of the Bush/Cheney secret energy policy.