Bush blames Dems for high oil prices | 38 comments (38 topical, 0 hidden)
Well (none / 0)
The closest we can come to blaming Dems in charge is to blame Clinton for doing next to nothing on these issues during his 2 terms. I know, there was a repub Congress that was out to get him, but still.

I mean, Gore was there which makes it even worse.

At any rate, we can't ignore Reagan's role in all of this. Carter, for all of his flaws, was dead right on the need to conserve end develop alternative energies.

Late in his tenure he introduced a comprehensive energy plan to do those things (one goal being that the US would derive 20% of its energy from solar by 2000), and as a symbolic gesture he put solar panels on the White House roof.

Reagan came in and took promptly removed the solar panels and dismantled just about everything else Carter had planned regarding energy. Now we get about 20% of energy from nuclear power, gas is insanely expensive and well, you know the rest of the story.

Just imagine if Reagan had run (even partly) Carter's plan. Or Bush Sr, Or Clinton...it's sad really.

by Tom Hanc on 07/14/2008 07:13:50 PM EST

true, but (none / 0)
you have to take into account the political and mainstream climate at that time

in defense of Clinton and Gore: oil prices were very low and most Americans didn't want to listen to any talk about conservation.
Even worse, you would get ridiculed, didn't Gore have a nickname, Ozon Al or something, talking about these issues would not only get you attacked, but a majority of the people would join in the laughter and call you weak.

Come on, let's be honest, not so long ago most Americans would laugh with smaller European cars, they would even be hostile against it when you brought up the issue of gas mileage "we don't want to drive small European cars, we drive big SUVs"... mainstream wasn't there

I've seen Gore and people like him who have been talking about this, be ridiculed for years. Gore got a Nobel price, the world celebrated his message, except in mainstream America, only the left was behind him and this was what 10 months ago?

by callisto on 07/14/2008 07:59:02 PM EST

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Bush blames Dems for high oil prices | 38 comments (38 topical, 0 hidden)