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As
a presidential candidate in 2000, George Bush
pledged to use his "political capital" to influence
OPEC when gas prices soared, saying that during
a crisis, a president, "ought to get on the phone
with the OPEC cartel and say, 'We expect you to
open your spigots" (1). But with gas prices soaring
in the United States (2), newspapers report the
White House now says the president refuses to
"personally lobby oil cartel leaders to change
their minds" (3).
With
the president refusing to do anything about the
situation, OPEC opted this week to cut supply
to further inflate gas prices and bilk American
consumers (4). While Saudi Arabia's ambassador
told the White House yesterday that his country
supposedly opposed higher oil prices, the president's
refusal to use his close relations with the Saudi
government gave the Saudis a pass to support the
OPEC production cut (5). Despite the Saudi effort
to keep American energy prices high - and despite
their ties to terror groups (6) - the President
continues to insist that the Saudi Arabia is "our
friend" (7).
During
his term, the president has pursued other policies
that help enrich the oil industry, which has given
him more than $3 million since 2000 (8). For instance,
his tax legislation actually created a massive
tax incentive for consumers to purchase gas-guzzling
SUVs over fuel efficient hybrid cars (9). Meanwhile,
the first budget President Bush introduced after
taking office tried to cut 37%, (almost $200 million),
out of federal research on renewable energy and
energy efficiency programs (10).
Sources:
1. "OPEC to cut back despite high prices", Washington
Times, 04/01/2004, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1208987&l=26079.
2. "Surging Gas Prices Pump Up Political Debate"
Los Angeles Times, 03/31/2004, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1208987&l=26080.
3. "Bush Refuses to Lean on Oil Cartel" Miami
Herald, 04/01/2004, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1208987&l=26081.
4. "OPEC cut to oil output likely to keep prices
near record levels", Dallas Morning News, 04/01/2004,
http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1208987&l=26082.
5. "Saudi envoy plays nice with White House on
oil supply", USA Today, 04/02/2004, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1208987&l=26083.
6. "The Saudi Connection", US News and World Report,
12/15/2003, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1208987&l=26084.
7. President Bush Vows to Bring Terrorists to
Justice, 05/15/2003, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1208987&l=26085.
8. OpenSecrets.Org, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1208987&l=26086.
9. "SUV, truck owners get a big tax break", Detroit
News, 12/18/2002, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1208987&l=26087.
10. "Proposed Bush Budget Cuts Renewables and
Energy Efficiency Programs", Resources for the
Future, 04/11/2001, http://daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1208987&l=26088.
Topplebush.com
Posted: April 6, 2004
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