Why we NEED to Drill for Oil

[Official Transcript of the Republican Weekly Radio Address:]

Hi there. This is Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite, and I have the great honor to represent Florida’s 5th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Watching gas prices rise from $2.32 a gallon in January 2007 to $4.08 this week, I am firmly convinced that Americans today face a new hostage crisis. Instead of a 1970s style OPEC embargo, however, American families and the United States economy are being held hostage by a Democrat Congress that refuses to explore for more oil and natural gas. Sadly out of step with the wishes of the American public, the Majority does not get it; two new polls this week show that a clear majority of the American people wants to explore for oil, but Democrats have so far said nothing but “No, No, No.”

I am just as frustrated as you are about the rapid increase in gas prices the country is experiencing. Whether it is $4 gas, or cereal boxes that are shrinking in size because of the dramatic increase in grain prices, we all face financial challenges because of increased energy costs.

My Republican colleagues and I have not stood idle, though. We understand the pain working-class families are feeling, and we are committed to delivering the energy policies that they want and deserve. Our plan is simple. We want to drill on every coast, in every fishery, and in every national park and wildlife refuge, because that’s where the oil is. We’re sure of it. We’ve looked everywhere else.

And our plan for getting this newfound oil to you, the consumer, will be equally simple. We’ll mail it to you.

That’s right. We realize that oil companies have been closing their refineries, leaving their existing land use rights untapped, because of the natural laws of supply and demand (that is: they restrict supply, and we demand more of the same). We understand that any new oil exploration rights we grant will not actually supply the American consumer soon, if at all, but will instead be used to let speculators bid the price of oil higher.

We understand what you’re going through, and our plan will provide you with all of the crude oil you could ever use, at a price none of us can afford not to miss out on.

My fellow Floridians will have an added bonus, which I’m proud to announce. Since we’ll be drilling right off your coasts and scenic preserves, we’ll simply “float” the oil to you instead — right on the water — straight into the beach towns and wetlands for you to scoop up as much as you need. Official Florida “Scoop It for America(tm)” plastic tubs will be distributed to every coastal community, with the bill going to someone else. How’s that for Government-in-action?

This is Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite, and I thank you for listening.