Concannon's Countdown for Change! 18 Weeks Left

Op-Ed

CONCANNON'S COUNTDOWN FOR CHANGE! 18 WEEKS LEFT

As the 4th of July holiday fast approaches, fewer of us will be taking trips to the cottage up north to enjoy a long week-end, or go on a car-ride to see family out of state. With gas prices hitting a new high just about every day, it's a challenge to keep gas in the tank just to get to work. Yesterday, I paid over $62 to fill up my Buick. With the amount of driving I do to travel around the 14 counties in our District, I know how much these high gas prices hurt.

Unfortunately, high gas prices lead to other problems for consumers. High gas prices impact the price of everything else we buy, including basic necessities like groceries and clothing. This means the pain extends far beyond the gas pump for middle class families.

My 12-year old son, Will, and I had a talk about high gas prices the other day, and it saddens me as a parent to know that he worries about our energy crisis and what it means for the future. And, as a parent, it makes me angry to know that President Bush and certain members of Congress are jeopardizing our children's future and have consistently carried out Big Oil's agenda instead of working to ensure a safe and secure energy supply for all Americans.

Instead of working to protect our economic and national security, President Bush and the Republicans in Congress have pursued policies that allow Big Oil to accrue massive profits in the face of a looming economic catastrophe for the rest of us. Consider that in a time of record foreclosures, high unemployment in Michigan and other parts of the country, and a steadily deteriorating standard of living for our middle class families, the five largest oil companies in the United States posted $36 billion in profits for the first three months of this year. This is a disgrace.

When President Bush took office in January 2001, the price of a barrel of crude oil was about $30. Today, a barrel of crude oil costs over $143. President Bush, aided by his Republican supporters in Congress, has pursued the most reckless and irresponsible energy policy in our Nation's history, allowing energy speculation to drive up prices to pad Big Oil profits; cutting taxes for Big Oil and subsidizing their exploration activities; and blocking legislation that would allow the U.S. government to collect royalties for drilling on U.S. government lands.

When President Bush and the Republican's in Congress - including Dave Camp - pursue policies such as these, they are not doing it to promote the well-being of our Nation as a whole. Instead, they are supporting an agenda to promote the well-being of one of their most important interest groups: Big Oil.

Big Oil doesn't need another Congressman, but the 4th District does. I am running for Congress because I believe it is time to give the voice back to the people in the 4th District. As a Member of Congress, my priorities for energy policy will be economic and national security and fairness to the consumer. Toward that end, I will support legislation that would roll back the billions in oil industry tax breaks put into effect since President Bush took office, promote transparency and reduce speculation in the oil market. At the same time, I will support legislation to promote alternative sources of energy (which Dave Camp has voted against) to allow the United States to achieve energy independence and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. I am confident that Michigan can be an integral part of a national effort to promote alternative fuels and green energy.

I hope to see some of you at the Leland parade on the 4th. We will be out in full force and are looking forward to a great parade. If you haven't already had a chance to do so, check out our updated website at www.concannonforcongress.com. We need your support if we are going to take back our voice in Congress.

Source