Open Thread: Administration Admits It Doesn't Care About High Gas Prices
Department of Energy Secretary Stephen Chu has admitted something that conservatives have long suspected about the Obama Administration: It doesn't really care about the skyrocketing cost of energy.
In remarks to a congressional committee, Chu stated that "the overall goal is to decrease our dependency on oil, to build and strengthen our economy" when asked if lowering gas prices was the Administration's top goal:
As shocking as his remarks are, they shouldn’t come as a surprise. Chu has a long record of advocating for higher gas prices. In 2008, he stated, “Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe.” Last March, he reiterated his point in an interview with Fox News’ Chris Wallace, noting that his focus is to ease the pain felt by his energy policies by forcing automakers to make more fuel-efficient automobiles. “What I’m doing since I became Secretary of Energy has been quite clear. What I have been doing is developing methods to take the pain out of high gas prices.”
One of those methods is dumping taxpayer dollars into alternative energy projects like the Solyndra solar plant. Another is subsidizing the purchase of high-cost electric cars like the Chevy Volt to the tune of $7,500 per car (which the White House wants to increase to $10,000). In both cases, those methods aren’t working. Solyndra went bankrupt because its product couldn’t bear the weight of market pressures, and Chevy Volts aren’t selling, even with taxpayer-funded rebates. What’s the president’s next plan? Harvesting “a bunch of algae” as a replacement for oil.
Meanwhile, the Obama Administration is seemingly doing everything it can to make paying for energy even more painful by refusing to open access to the country’s oil and gas reserves and blocking new projects that would lead to the development of more energy in America. Case in point: the president’s decision to say “no” to the Keystone XL pipeline, a project that would have delivered hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil from Canada to Texas refineries, while bringing thousands of jobs along with it.
Will Republicans hammer this point in the general election season? Or do you think that Chu's remarks, which echo Obama's earlier comments that he wanted energy costs to "necessarily skyrocket" to make so-called green energy cost-competitive.
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Comments
Agenda be hung
Submitted by pockets64 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 11:28am.
I will be glad when this ideological agenda-driven mob is out of power. I don't think we can live with another 4 years of this disaster.
Media Coverage
Submitted by jkyle1 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 11:31am.
I had checked the sites of CBS, NBC, ABC, MSnbc, CNN and I found no mention of this. Can't have any negative stories about you know who....
Stupidity on display
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 11:36am.
While many of us know this is part and parcel to the systematic destruction of America through economic policies like this, it's just amazing that people STILL don't see what the huge problem is with getting away from oil like Chu wants to do, the so-called dependency on oil.
That huge problem is that oil is the virtual treasure trove of how many things we get from it. Without it, nevermind the gas prices, we'd be stuck in the industrial age, or even pre-industrial age. How many items inside those stupid electric cars that they are pushing come from oil? It sure ain't coming from algae.
Either Chu doesn't realize this and is just mind-numbingly STUPID(not too hard to achieve for a Nobel Prize these days), or he's deliberately deceptive about it and really wants to bring an end to America as a power of any kind, let alone a super power.
As for the GOP, I don't expect this bunch of spineless p*ssies to do anything for us anymore, they should have already, but they won't. And the Dems are the traitors to this country that are helping the dictator and his company, so America, we're on our own.
-Jon
I worked
Submitted by misterbee241 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:24pm.
with many, many highly educated people. And yes, the majority were mind numbingly stupid.
Verum Serum has a collection
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 11:36am.
Verum Serum has a collection of videos from Obama, Harry Reid and Ray LaHood admitting that this is what they want.
Duh
Submitted by kilrod on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 11:40am.
The proof is in the sub-slime media every day. Energy cost are going UP and regulations are taking a tighter strangle holt on energy developement and production. Yet the s-sm and the o bama are blaming the rising cost on anybody and everybody but the o bama and the "progressive" dimocraps.
"Will Republicans hammer this point in the general election season?"....ROFLMAO.
kilrod "the Birther"
If an unborn child cannot trust you, why should I,??
So explain to me again…
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 11:42am.
…How increasing gas prices to meet European standards is going to “take the pain out of high gas prices?”
I’m sure I’m missing something in that ‘Reasoning.’
- Grump
P.S.: RIP Andrew, and thank you.
I think you're supposed to
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 11:46am.
I think you're supposed to console yourself with the knowledge that you are saving Mother Earth.
\sarc
MB - I'm trying !
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 11:55am.
To console myself - But it ain't working!
- Grump :o)
On top of that
Submitted by KornKing on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 1:17pm.
you'd better be damned grateful the smart people are in charge and able to point out how stupid you are if you don't toe that line
Because you also get to pay
Submitted by Quasi-socialist on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 3:15pm.
for subsidies of Green companies that promise a lot and do nothing before going belly up.
Republicans?
Submitted by misterbee241 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:20pm.
Hammer a point?
Seriously?
Since the StateRun Media
Submitted by killa37 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:20pm.
Since the StateRun Media doesn't seem to be all over this 'gaffe', then the REGIME isn't pressed to 'recalibrate' this 'mis-statement', I guess.................no harm, no foul.
I can think of hundreds............no, thousands...........of these same types of situations, gaffes, realities, facts, statements, and deeds that have come out of the REGIME since Boy Barry was coronated.....................enought to hang ANY King - much less a poser like Obama - but I just keep thinking that the Republican Establishment will NOT go for the throat, go for the jugular, or go for the victory............because it wouldn't be 'nice' to call Barry out on the mountain of BS that he has created.
It is the plan...
Submitted by c5then on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 1:00pm.
The over-all global plan is to try and equalize the economies around the world so that businesses and people have nowhere to run or hide from the socialism that they want to rule the world. Now we all know, as do the socialists, that it is near impossible to increase the economies of those countries that are already well down the road toward socialism. Therefore the only recourse they have is to depress the economies of the remaining countries who are still "straggling" up near the fork in the road between free-markets and socialism. That means us.
Socialism only looks bad when there is something better to compare it with. Once all the free-market economies are killed and converted to socialism, all will be equal and well in the world.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
It's called "transference."
Submitted by CobraMan on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 1:07pm.
"What I have been doing is developing methods to take the pain out of high gas prices."
Yes, I know, and you're using "transference" in which to do that.
You want to transfer the "high cost of gasoline" onto things like an automobile that, while "saving" us hundreds of dollars in gas over the lifetime of the car adds thousands of dollars of expense to the purchase cost, never mind the higher cost of the mandatory inclusion of refined ethanol, which adds even more costs at the pump, let alone at the grocery store.
You want to transfer the "high cost" of generating "hydrocarbon powered" electricity to the higher cost of generating "renewable" energy, like solar and wind because it will, somehow, "save us money" over the "long term."
You want to "save " everyone the costs of the "higher energy requirements" of cheap, plentiful, long lasting incandescent lighting, by mandating that everyone purchase the most expensive, short lived products available, like CFL's.
You want to transfer the "high cost" of EVERYTHING, especially taxes, onto something else, not to lower the over-all costs, but to HIDE the true costs as much as you possibly can, all so that you can say: "See? We've lowered the prices of x," while never admitting that you increased the costs of y and z in order to do so. Well, unlike you, most people know exactly what they have earned, and what they have spent, over each year and we see exactly what your various "cost saving measures" have actually cost us. We were better off using the "expensive," "wasteful," "outdated" technology, for it was far, far cheaper overall!
Of course, it's not YOU, the one who actually increased the over-all costs to the American public, that is to blame, Right? It's the "greedy" people who have to, by law, follow your insane policies, the businessmen, the bankers, the manufactures, the retailers, and now, even the CONSUMERS, who are to blame, correct? Especially those people who make "too much" money, who are successful at carrying out YOUR policies, who are to blame, and who you wish to punish by taking away even more of their earned income and putting it into yet another highly expensive, dubiously beneficial, but totally "necessary" and therefor taxpayer funded, "cost saving" program. All so you can look good on the liberal talk shows and Network News (but I repeat myself), and, of course, "serve" another term, whether as an elected official or as an appointed one. It makes no matter which. Not to you, anyways. It does to us, however, for we are the ones who always end up paying for it, just as you planned, but not as you admit.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Well said, Cobraman!
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 1:16pm.
- LIKE!
- Grump :o)
Examining Obama's Algae Claim
Submitted by dscott on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 1:21pm.
An affordable $33 a gallon. Will Nancy Pelosi be touting an increase in GDP via alternative energy? /snark/
Algae Biodiesel: It’s $33 a Gallon
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/algae-biodiesel-its-33-a-gal...
Even those in the industry don’t see cost effective, i.e. competitive pricing even in today’s levels for a few years. Then there’s the hurtle of quantity.
"Ultimately, algae could yield 5,000 to 10,000 gallons an acre, far higher than other feedstocks. Soy is only good for around 40 to 50 gallons an acre. Touted plants like jatropha might only produce 175 gallons an acre, he said."
If algae production optimally it creates 10,000 gallons for one acre per year then how many acres would be needed for just one day of US domestic use? In the week ending 2/24/12 according to the EIA we used 8,299,000 barrels of gasoline in a 7 day period (lowest in many years for this time of year). So on a back of the envelop calculation: (8,299,000 barrels x 42 gal/barrel)/7 days per week = 49,793,999 gallons for just one day of consumption IF it stayed at these anemic levels of economic activity. Dividing by 10,000 gal per acre it will take 4,979 acres to satisfy this amount.
Now if you need to supply gas for the other 364 days of the year as Obama has implied by his speech and according to Secretary Chu’s lack of concern for the immediate future regarding the price of gas then we need 1,817,481 acres or divide by 640 for 2,840 sq miles of newly created artificial habitat (because you know the EPA won’t stand for the destruction of existing wild habitat) That would be greater than the surface area of Delware (2,026 sq mi).
So where will all this water come from if the EPA is already sacrificing California’s Central Valley farmers for the Delta Smelt? In other words, Obama has once again offered up an empty promise that can not realistically deliver even in the foreseeable future. Of course water isn’t for free and the more in demand it is, the more expensive it becomes for everyone. Do I see yet another subsidy to be foisted upon the taxpayer in the works for a non competitive unsustainable industry? And if the optimal amount of 10,000 gal/acre is pie in the sky or has to be worked up to over a period of many years and only 5,000 gallons per acre then we are talking a land area greater than of Connecticut (5,006 sq mi).
The greens and government bureaucrats oppose fracking under one of many rubics concerning the amount of water it uses, so the idea that these quantities of additional fresh water for fuel production is simply not feasible. Another idea that sounds good on paper but is impractical. It reminds me of a scene from the Simpsons.
Anyone else notice Rmoney wins where the dems win?
Submitted by vrwc13 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 2:32pm.
map
...maybe in 4 years from now Rmoney will run as a Democrat. They would probably like him better too.
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
VRWC – I’ve seen that map before, but…
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 3:11pm.
…Didn’t pay much attention to the similarity (excepting Arizona) of where both Romney (now) & Obama (2008) seem to have great support… Your observation is interesting!
The particular map (and the one showing the tallies vies-a-vie Congressional districts) has always irritated me because it shows that despite a candidate ‘winning the popular vote,’ they don’t necessarily win every Congressional district - But still get to claim every district with the Electoral College under a winner-take-all system. I believe Nebraska and New Hampshire (?) are the only two states that allow for proportional representation.
Anywho, as a republican living in CA for many years (in my previous life)… I got really sick and tired of living in a conservative district and watching my vote translate into an automatic Democrat Electoral College vote.
Grrrr.
- Grump :o)
notice where the 'blue' is...
Submitted by vrwc13 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 3:38pm.
...whereas the 'red' areas are where, for the most part, people work for a living.
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
Anyone else interested in Sheriff Joe Arpaio's News Conf?
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 3:48pm.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-03-01/arizona-sheriff-joe...
"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama
Get ‘em Sheriff Joe!!!!!
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 3:57pm.
You can watch it here:
http://www.wnd.com/arpaio-report/
- Grump :o)
Thanks, Grump
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 3:58pm.
Very considerate of him to put it on after Rush was over.
Waiting now.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
The feed is abysmal
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 4:04pm.
I can't watch that.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
'The feed is abysmal' because...
Submitted by vrwc13 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 4:09pm.
...the location of the transmission has been encircled by a number of black SUV's with jamming equipment.
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
Thanks, v
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 4:13pm.
D'oh! Why didn't I think of that?
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Yup Blonde, the feed is Abby-something...
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 4:14pm.
... Can't watch it either.
Well, I'm sure the MSM will cover it completely in tonight's reports. //mega - sarc.//
- Grump :o)
Grump -Drudge has it: 'Probable cause' Obama certificate a fraud
Submitted by vrwc13 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 4:49pm.
Sheriff Joe's posse: 'Probable cause' Obama certificate a fraud...
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
WOW!!! Thanks VRWC 13
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 5:36pm.
I'm sure there is a Federal Judge out there somewhere that will rule that Sheriff Joe has "No Legal Standing" to pursue the fraud investigation... or some legal shenanigan to that effect.
And now let's hear from the News Media... (insert silence here).
- Grump :o)
Grump, the irony is the News Media made the Sheriff news...
Submitted by vrwc13 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 5:49pm.
...and now they will have a hard time ignoring him!
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
You Betcha -
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 5:53pm.
"How Sweet It Is!" - Jackie Gleason
- Grump :o)
Hhmm, they have pecked at him
Submitted by Boudin on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 10:01pm.
But now, they must ruin him, they will get their orders
I really wish they would just
Submitted by dscott on Fri, 03/02/2012 - 11:32am.
I really wish they would just drop the matter of Obama's BC. So what if it is proved that it is a fake? The response is going to be they provided a reasonable facsimile for public distribution. It is not illegal to produce a representation that demonstrates information especially in a NON-LEGALLY binding public disclosure. Nor is there any proscribed penalty for not meeting the qualifications for being POTUS and then taking office. Show me in the criminal code where there is such a law!
The BC issue is wasting time, resources and credibility from the issue at hand, the dis-election of Obama. At best it will be a Phyrric Victory. You know darn well that the leader of the Senate, Harry Reid will NEVER allow an impeachment trial of Obama. Heck, he won't even allow a vote on the budget. It is illegal for Reid to not allow a vote on the budget but yet he is still in office BECAUSE there is no proscribed penalty. So also there is no proscribed penalty to force Reid to arrange a trial either.
At worst, a Constitutional crisis would occur which would force the hand of the military to institute a coup de tat to remove Obama from power. When that happens lots of people get killed. Nor would the outcome be certain given Obama has chosen those who sit on the Joint Chiefs. That means a guaranteed dictatorship and lots more people die, 20 million people according to Obama's murderous friend, Bill Ayers. Bill Ayers has big plans, don't give him the opportunity...
Mr Chu-
Submitted by JIMMY1660 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 4:04pm.
needs to be dragged outside and hug by the wedgie underwear till he wakes up.
Or perhaps he should be burned at the stake with gasoline-high test.
~My heart goes out to Andrew Breitbart's wife and children
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 5:24pm.
He was only a few years older than my husband, who is also a father of four. Today marks the first time I have ever wept for the passing of a public figure.
To An Athlete Dying Young
The time you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.
To-day, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.
Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields where glory does not stay,
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose.
Eyes the shady night has shut
Cannot see the record cut,
And silence sounds no worse than cheers
After earth has stopped the ears:
Now you will not swell the rout
Of lads that wore their honours out,
Runners whom renown outran
And the name died before the man.
So set, before its echoes fade,
The fleet foot on the sill of shade,
And hold to the low lintel up
The still-defended challenge-cup.
And round that early-laurelled head
Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,
And find unwithered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl's.
MEDIA FINALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO ELIGIBILITY?
Submitted by vrwc13 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 6:25pm.
MEDIA FINALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO ELIGIBILITY?
...just imagine if obama is found ineligible.
Complicity will rule the fray.
v
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne
Pray tell
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 6:57pm.
What media are you talking about? The MSM will ignore this until they are dragged kicking and screaming, or until they have their "cover story" straight.
"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama
The media is not covering it,
Submitted by tobiasdog on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 7:36pm.
The media is not covering it, every report outside of WND are doing nothing but repeating the same line that the idea has been discredited, and bashing the sheriff. I watched the live feed (the feed improved after a few minutes) and the findings were not disclosed in any of the news stories I saw.And predictably the Q and A with the press afterwards was hostile.
Also worth noting, they said that they have identified the computer that the document was produced on.
Expat?
Submitted by Scuba Dude on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 9:15pm.
If you know where it is come on by.
Great Idea, Ex Pat!
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 9:18pm.
I'm there.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Anyone hear Levin's last segment?
Submitted by Boudin on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 9:40pm.
Or see Herman's latest add
Does anybody have any
Submitted by Roger the Shrubber on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 9:48pm.
Does anybody have any information on something happening to Rush Limbaugh and his wife?
⇒ No, Shrubster
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 9:52pm.
Should we be checking something out?
⇒ Found it, Roger
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 9:54pm.
Device sent to his house.
⇒ Evidently nothing
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 9:56pm.
Good to know.
Thanks, CA. the conspiracy
Submitted by Roger the Shrubber on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 10:09pm.
Thanks, CA. the conspiracy theories are in high gear today after Brietbart's death today, and this was odd, ya know?
Levin talked to him
Submitted by Boudin on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 9:56pm.
They are all right, nothing really.
For the Wrathful Brunette to think upon ----
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 03/03/2012 - 7:03am.
Fed officials and Mr. Obama want to take credit for easy money if stock-market and housing prices rise, but then deny any responsibility if commodity prices rise too, causing food and energy prices to soar for consumers. They can't have it both ways, as not-so-stupid Americans intuitively understand when they buy groceries or gas. This is the double-edged sword of an economic recovery "built to last" on easy money rather than on sound fiscal and regulatory policies.
More for the Wrathful Brunette to ponder and wonder upon
Submitted by The Vet on Sat, 03/03/2012 - 7:23am.
What does all this have to do with public policy? The present administration believes we should be able to get our country fiscally back on track without the vast majority of Americans having to accept less from government. Year after year, no entitlement recipient is asked to give up benefits—even benefits well above a basic safety net.
Bailouts for homeowners, auto companies and financial firms have protected many from the consequences of poor decisions. And even as we run up unprecedented debt, public-sector workers continue to receive pay and benefits that exceed those of their private-sector counterparts.