Candy For Idiots

Including my Congressman, Jim Cooper, D-TN. I wrote Congressman Cooper a letter a couple of weeks ago concerning energy independence and drilling in the United States and here’s what he sent me:

Dear Mr. Mays:

Thank you for writing to me about our energy needs.

I understand the frustration and anger that comes when we fill up at the pump. Unfortunately, we are suffering the consequences of thirty years of broken energy policy. Congress has failed to provide leadership ever since the oil shocks of the 1970s, and I regret that we did not learn from our earlier experiences to steer towards smarter energy policies.

I do not agree that we can drill our way out of the current energy crisis. It will be years after the moment drilling commences before a single drop of gasoline makes it into a gas tank.  Also, regretting
missed opportunities in the 90s, as many have, will not solve the current problem. Instead, we must tackle it with today’s solutions, which means developing alternative energies and greater efficiency.
Drilling at the expense of other solutions will not make us energy independent, or ultimately serve our nation’s best financial and security interests. I also support the recent measures Congress has
taken to ease the financial pain, such as increased funds for mass transit and stricter curbing of speculation.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me. I truly appreciate hearing your concerns.
Sincerely,

Jim Cooper
Member of Congress

I really appreciate Congressman Cooper referring to me appropriately as “Mr. Mays” and seemingly personally replying to me, so I thought I’d have the same consideration and tell him that he’s just wrong on this issue.

Congressman Cooper,

I agree that we have a failed energy policy but respectfully disagree with you that we cannot alleviate the current high cost of oil prices by drilling domestically for more oil. The mere speculation that the Federal Government plans on opening up drilling for more domestic production has dramatically reduced the cost of oil in the United States (See the President’s comments and action of lifting the [Executive Moratorium] on off shore drilling). That being said, I feel as if we should actively look into alternative energy sources but we need immediate action which will impact oil prices and the cost consumers are facing at the pump.

You represent me Congressman Cooper, and as your constituent, I expect you to act now and side with Republicans on opening up drilling in ANWR and off the coasts and I’m 100% sure a majority of the people in your district do as well, as national polls indicate. This issue is important to every American, and if you continue to work for our vote, you will act appropriately on this issue.

You said “It will be years after the moment drilling commences before a single drop of gasoline makes it into a gas tank.” Bill Clinton used that argument when he denied drilling in ANWR in the 90’s stating that it was pointless to drill because it would take 10 years to reap the benefits of that drilling. Congressman Cooper, it’s 10 years later, and this old and decayed way of looking at this issue has gone on for far too long. As I mentioned earlier, the mere speculation of increased domestic production lowers the cost of oil so it’s a bit naive to think that opening drilling won’t decrease the cost of oil.

Thank you for listening to my views and please earn my vote as this is one of the most important issues to me in this upcoming election season.

Sincerely,
Mr. Mays

I doubt I’m going to have any impact on how Jim Cooper votes on this issue but at least I’m doing my duty and informing him of how I feel. Congressman Cooper has always personally replied to my emails, something not a lot of other public officials do, so he’s cool for doing that. What do you guys think about this?

So I was standing outside talking to some people who work in my building, and as most conversations generally gravitate these days, the topic of gas prices and oil exploration came up. I eloquently pointed out all the reasons why we should be drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, off the shores of Florida and California, etc… The kind folks I was talking to whole heartily agreed with me and think that we indeed need to tap into our own natural resources and fuel ourselves, rather than depend on other countries.

Then one woman said something which stopped me in my tracks; “That’s why I’m voting for Obama.” Ahem… So I then had to point out to her all the reasons how Obama doesn’t really reflect ANY of her views on the issue and how he actually agrees with higher gas prices, as it meets certain goals and agendas in which the left is striving for.

“I think that I would have preferred a gradual adjustment [to the increase in gasoline prices].” -Sen Barack Obama. (D) Illinois

Then she said that she likes his lack of experience because he hasn’t had time to be corrupted by politics. I pointed out that Obama came from the “Chicago Machine” and that by nature, he came out of the perverbial womb corrupt.

What’s more amazing than the fact that she likes Obama is that she spent around 10 minutes talking to me about issues which were completely contrary to what Obama believes in and said that’s why she’s voting for him. It’s really unbelievable. Sheep, man. They’re all sheep!