Today marks the start of the third full week the House Republicans have taken to the floor of the House in protest of Speaker Nancy Pelosi shutting down the House and going on vacation for five weeks, without allowing a vote on their energy bill (The American Energy Act).  This is a comprehensive all inclusive bill that both sides can agree on, but she simply will not allow the vote (because she knows that she would loose).  Now, after feeling intense pressure from the American public, she has come up with her own “energy plan,” which is really worthless.  So, hooray to the House Republicans for standing their ground!  Hooray for democracy in action! 

There were a couple pretty good quotes that I liked from today. 

Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI):

“The area I come from, McComb County, is home to the Reagan Democrats.  We’re not reliably one party or the other.  We vote all over the place.  But if you look at the polling in my district, people are 70 to 80 percent supportive of more drilling.  This is not a party issue, its the people’s issue.”

She’s so right.  This really isn’t a party issue, even though the Democrat leadership has turned it into one.  This is a people issue.  I don’t know anyone, Democrat, Republican, Independent, that’s happy about our energy prices!  It truly is absolutely absurd that we are paying so much and are so dependent on other nations, when we have all we could ever need right here- off the coast, and within the states.  No other country would allow themselves to be dependent on others like we are.  It is self-imposed, and it is ridiculous! 

Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI):

“Some of the folks back in Michigan drive 80 to 120 miles every day back and forth to work.  The gas prices are a hardship.  Now we’re starting to look at home heating for this winter, especially in Northern Michigan.  People are going to get hit hard twice–at the pump and at home.  This is hurting people in their personal lives and its hurting the economy.  And you have to remember the national security perspective.  It is very important we become energy independent.  Look at what is going on with Russia and Georgia.  Russia is quite willing to use energy as political leverage against Europe.  We want to make sure we at least have a debate and a vote so we don’t face a similar threat of having our energy turned off.”

I really like what he said about national security.  The issue is rarely looked at in that manner, and it should be!  This is a serious aspect of the whole issue! 

 House Republicans’ unprecedented nationwide energy protest enters its third full week today with no sign of slowing down.  Over the weekend Speaker Pelosi, clearly under pressure from American families and small businesses frustrated with the energy crisis that she has presided over, unveiled her latest “energy plan”.  Rather than offering comprehensive “all of the above” solutions supported by House Republicans and a wide majority of Americans, it’s clear that the Democratic leadership is intent on pushing the same false claims and re-packaged policies that have already been rightly rejected by both parties in Congress.

If Speaker Pelosi were serious about addressing high gas prices, she would end her five week break and call back Congress for a vote on the all-of-the-above energy reforms the American people are demanding.  Republicans’ efforts will continue in Washington and across the nation until the Speaker schedules an up-or-down vote on the American Energy Act, a truly comprehensive solution that will lower gas prices by increasing production of American energy, promoting more conservation and efficiency, and encouraging the use of alternative and renewable fuels.

 This was just the report on House Minority Leader John Boehner’s blog for today.  But, I think they put it well, so I wanted to include it. 

This issue is so important, on so many levels.  It’s about having our own energy supply, about the economy, about the American people and families, about the prices of food and goods, about national security, about so many things.  Please contact your Congressmen and tell them to get to work and vote on this critical bill!

A great quote from today: 

Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA)

“We’ve come here to talk about $4 gas…we’re dependent on dysfunctional countries like Venezuela  for our energy.  We need energy independence.  This also means increasing research for renewable fuels, nuclear energy, and more conservation.”

This is very true!  He hit the nail on the head!

This was also on House Minority Leader John Boehner’s blog today.  Love it!!

Rep. Brady has also released his “Top Ten Questions for Speaker Pelosi”

TOP 10 ENERGY QUESTIONS

FOR SPEAKER PELOSI

By U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (Texas-8^th)

10.     Two years ago you said “Democrats have a common-sense plan to lower gas prices.” Since you took over as Speaker of the House fuel prices have nearly doubled, which is just punishing American families. Will you be releasing that common-sense plan anytime soon?

9.        So far your Democratic House of Representatives has done nothing but propose gimmicks. Your first energy gimmick was to pass a law that allows America to sue OPEC, apparently so we can become more dependent upon Middle East oil.  This is puzzling to most Americans. Remind us again what that accomplishes?

8.        Your second gimmick was “Use it or Lose it”, based on the notion that millions of acres of land with vast energy reserves are leased by oil companies but not being developed. Unfortunately, no independent geological association in America agreed with that wild claim. And during debate on the House floor Democrats couldn’t identify even one acre where that was happening. How embarrassing was that?

7.        Your next gimmick was to stop filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which is the nest egg for America’s energy security if a major foreign country cuts off fuel to the United States. You predicted that fuel prices would go down, but instead they continued to rise. Was that more embarrassing or less embarrassing than the “Use it or Lose it” fiasco?

6.        Apparently assuming that failed ideas are reassuring to the public, recently you proposed to sell off 10% of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which you also predict will lower fuel prices. Unfortunately, that equals just 3.5 days of American oil, which changes nothing, so that gimmick collapsed on the House floor. Do you have any more ideas related to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, like selling it to China or donating it to a Hollywood charity?  

5.        You keep saying Republicans are beholden to Big Oil, which you despise and accuse of obscene profiteering. But I noticed your Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has accepted a whopping $809,000 from energy special interests this session – which I’m sure you’ll want to return. I’m just curious, but when can those oil companies expect their checks back?

4.        Turning to your unique interpretation of the Constitution, you have stated repeatedly that the House of Representatives will not get a vote on exploring for more energy here in America, such as in our deep ocean waters or U.S. Arctic Reserve, no matter that the American public supports it 2-1. In your mind, do you believe America is a democracy or a dictatorship?

3.        Two weeks ago you hastily shut down the House floor, turned off the lights, microphones and cameras so that the American public could not hear Republicans debate the energy crisis and the need for Congress to stay in session to pass an energy bill rather than head out on a five-week vacation. Do you still believe in open government and the freedom of speech, or did all that change when you became Speaker?

2.        Last Sunday on the news show “This Week” you said that Republicans would have to “get creative” to receive an up-or-down vote on the House floor to explore for more energy here in America. Our founding fathers were creative, too. They established a legislative body where the pressing issues of the day would be openly debated and the majority will of the elected representatives prevails. Are you afraid that if a vote was taken you would lose?  (Isn’t America supposed to be a democracy, of the people? )

1.        Americans don’t get a vacation from high gas prices, but you sent Congress on a leisurely five week vacation. Republicans have stood on the House floor all recess and pleaded with you to call Congress back into session and schedule an up-or-down vote on exploring for more oil and gas here in America. Aren’t American families and small businesses who are getting hammered by high gas prices more important than your book tour?

(Note to Speaker: I’ll get some of my friends to buy your darn book if you’ll come back to Washington and get back to work.)

More members of the House took to the floor today to talk to the American people about their energy bill.  While the hope is that Nancy Pelosi would be listening, I’m sure she’s turing a deaf ear to it all, too wrapped up in her book tour to worry about the energy crisis.  I was glad to see that two of Nevada’s Representatives were there, Dean Heller and Jon Porter.  Jon Porter spoke at a press conference today, also.  Too bad Shelley Berkley (Dem) is the Representative for my district.  (Hoping that will change come November.)  Anyway, I’m really glad to see these guys taking a stand!  I love it!  I hope they keep it up and don’t back down! 

Part 1

Part 2

All they are asking for is a vote!  Click here to read the bill. 

Here’s a list of those who have participated so far. 

Check out John Boehner’s (Minority Leader) blog and Republican Cloakroom. 

Contact Nancy Pelosi and tell her to bring the House back in session!

House Republicans are not taking this lightly, however.  They are finally showing some guts and standing up to the Democrats for what is right and good for America!  Today was day 3 of the House Republican Revolt.  They are asking simply for an up or down vote on offshore drilling.  Nancy Pelosi won’t allow it.  She was grilled on George Stephanopoulos’ show “This Week” about it, and had no reason for denying the vote, except that she didn’t agree with offshore drilling.  Stephanopoulos really pressed her on this over and over, and you could tell that she was truly flustered and didn’t know what to do or say.  Stephanopoulos pointed out that when the Democrats took control of Congress she promised an “open, full and fair debate” on all issues.  Later in the interview he asked:  

That doesn’t sound like “open, full and fair debate” to me. 

Now, I believe this is a very important issue.  We should be energy independent.  We should be able to sustain our own needs for oil.  And, we can!  If we would just start drilling.  I see drilling as win-win-win situation.  Lots of jobs would be created.  Gas prices would fall immediately (it’s simple economics).  We wouldn’t be dependent on other nations.  Technology has come a long, long way, and drilling is really, really safe.  It’s a great scenario. 

So, a huge thank you and great job goes out to all those House Republicans taking a stand to do what is right! 

I will continue to post updates and new information on this, because I think it is truly important!

Please visit House Republican Leader, John Boehner’s blog about all this.  Lots of good info! 

Visit the site and sign the petition.  We must make our voices heard!

I’ve decided to start a new thing on here, called my Hero of the Week. Nearly every week, someone somewhere does something that makes me think, “that’s awesome!” or “way to go!” Usually it’s someone in politics, but not always. Anyway, I just think it will be fun.
This week, I actually have 2.
The first one is Carl Levin. Yep, the Democrat! “How could a democrat be my hero of the week?” you ask. Ahh, let me tell you. Anyone that throws Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid “under the bus” is a hero in my book! Sunday, Levin was on George Stephanopoulos’ show, and said that they would fund the troops, that they always fund the troops. Now, isn’t this going against the Democrat party leadership. In his comments he basically discounted all this hype the Dems have been building for the last few weeks about not funding the troops without a ton of conditions. This just made me chuckle. I wonder what Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid thought when they heard him. He pulled the rug out from under all the ultra-lib people who thought that the troops wouldn’t get the funding they need. HA!
Hero of the Week number 2 is the North Carolina Attorney General, Roy Cooper. He stuck it to Mike Nifong, the former DA in the Duke la cross rape case. Among other things, he called Nifong “rouge” and said the cases against the la cross players were “result of a tragic rush to accuse and a failure to verify serious allegations.” He went on to chronicle the terrible way that this case was handled. Clearly, Nifong is guilty of gross misconduct that should not only have him disbarred, but facing criminal or civil charges. In an effort to save face today, Nifong tried to offer an apology for his actions, but in my opinion, he didn’t really succeed. These men had their lives ruined for a year, because Nifong screwed up! Their reputation could be permanently tarnished. That is ridiculous. By the way, I also believe the accuser should face false accusation charges, but it has already been decided that she won’t. Anyway, Roy Cooper deserves a big round of applause for the way he handled this! (Guess what, he’s a Democrat too! – What the heck is going on here? Guess it just goes to show you that they aren’t all bad.)

Well, we’re off and running for 2008! Isn’t it exciting?! I know it may sound weird, but I love all this campaigning stuff. I’m a political junkie. I just find it all extremely fascinating, and very compelling. I get pretty passionate about it too.
Here’s how it’s looking. For the Dems, there’s Hillary and Obama. Sure others have said they are running, but these two have the main focus right now. Hillary was supposed to have had this race handed to her on a silver platter (at least in her mind). There have been years of build up to this moment. (Maybe all of Bill’s Presidency was just to pave the way for Hillary.) Then, all of a sudden, in a sneak attack, Obama comes out of virtually no where and takes it right out from under her. The Dems have a new love child. I just wonder how long the love affair will last. I picture in my head a boxing match between the two of them. (Personally, in a physical battle, I’d have to favor Hillary. She’s mean!) I can’t wait to see how this plays out! I have a feeling it will be fun to watch the two of them tear each other apart. It is going to be mean and vicious. Perhaps they will give us stuff to use against them in the general election.
Then, on the Republican side, there are a few possibilities. We’ve got the former mayor of NY, Giuliani. Personally, I’m not a big fan at all. He’s far too liberal for my liking! The thing he’s got going for him is his amazing reaction and handling of 9/11. There’s also my personal favorite, Mitt Romney. I would love to see him get the GOP nomination!

Also to look forward to in 2008 is that the House will be up for grabs again. We’ve got to get Nancy Pelosi out of there before the whole democracy falls apart! We’ve got to get conservatives back into power! Luckily, the Dems are already fighting among themselves. Guess the honeymoon didn’t last too long. They said they were going to get a lot done, but I’m still waiting for them to do something useful. I’m tired of my taxpayer money going to pay their salaries so that they can spend their time insulting the President and passing non-binding resolutions (which don’t mean anything). I’d really like to see them do something useful – after all, that’s what they claimed they would do!

Anyway, it is going to be interesting to see how this all plays out! I’ll definitely keep you posted!