Politics

National Oil Crisis Democrat Vacation

August 2008

The Democrats, like Nero, fiddle away while the oil crisis burns

By Andrew Peterson
For CoverUps.com

Nancy Pelosi's shutting off of lights and microphones in the House will live on as a vivid example of political irresponsibility and obstructionism.

With the country suffering from record-high gas prices and a raucous majority of voters clamoring for relief, the House Majority Leader, looking like a kind of eco-esque Cruella Deville (minus the cigarette) has left an indelible imprint in the minds of voters that she may come to regret – if for no other reason than it may cost her political power.

Arizona congressman John Shadegg's voice has been especially prominent in the pro-drilling chorus that has hounded Pelosi and her party to act responsibly and allow a straight up-or-down vote on drilling. Here are a few choice tidbits from Mr. Shadegg:

"Republicans can thank Shadegg for turning on the microphones the first time. Apparently, the feisty Arizona conservative started typing random codes into the chamber's public address system and accidentally typed the correct code, allowing Republicans brief access to the microphone before it was turned off again."
Politico

"We can, and we must, lower energy prices, create American jobs, and cease our funding of Hugo Chavez and other unfriendly governments." John Shadegg

"It is troubling that the money we spend on foreign oil very often goes to people like Hugo Chavez and others in the Middle East who hate our nation and seek its destruction. Funding our enemies to the tune of billions of dollars a year is indefensible and dangerous."
John Shadegg

"On Friday, Pelosi started the five-week recess by ordering the House lights, microphones and cameras shut off. But Shadegg punched in several computer codes until he figured out how to turn the microphones back on. Then, Pelosi told media in the press gallery to leave. But Shadegg ran upstairs and held forth for the reporters, triggering an obscure rule that allowed the media to ignore Pelosi's directive."
Tribune Newspaper

If you haven't already signed the national petition urging Democrat lawmakers to get back to work and solve this problem, here's a link to it.

Our Take

Ordinarily, CoverUps is perfectly happy with the thought of Congress shutting down for five weeks. That's five weeks when the public's money isn't being wasted, five weeks of no congressional meddling in things they have no business meddling in, and five weeks without any stupid new laws that usually just take money and freedom from American citizens.

But this is an exception. Here we have an urgent need which must be attended to. Action must be taken which only the congress can take. And where are they? Nowhere to be found – that's where.