On Off-shore Drilling, Democrats Feeling Effects of Anesthesia

Before my iPod died and I had to make three trips to the Apple store, I started writing this post with the intention of saying that Congressional Democrats seem to be moving in the direction of compromise with Congressional Republicans. The headline above the fold on today's Politico is "Democrats Searching Their Sould On Drilling," which certainly seems to imply fairly widespread reluctance throughout the Democratic Caucus. [Politico]

I don't believe this for one minute. Not one stinking minute. Approval rating numbers just came out, and Congress, with its stellar NINE PERCENT approval rating seems to be in an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" kind of mood. And so continues the ridiculous trend of quick fixes that pander to national interest but ultimately fuck us in the end...so to speak.

Just a few minutes ago, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer spoke with considerable enthusiasm on the need to increase domestic oil product, because, well, the United States consumes 25% of the world's annual oil product while producing itself only 3%. So, yes, technically if we want to spend less money per barrel of oil without actually confronting OPEC, and we've never ever shown any real interest in confronting OPEC, and without taking the time and effort to shake off the vice grip of oil companies.

However, an increase in domestic oil production is not going to do much good. First of all, Congressional Democrats have stated repeatedly that drilling could not feasibly begin until 2020, with Congressional Republicans calling their bluff and stating that drilling could begin much sooner than that. Whatever. Regardless of when drilling actually commences, drilling in an area the size of the ANWR is not going to yield enough oil to effect the price of oil in the long-term. We know this already. Back when Congressional Democrats were vehemently opposed to increased off-shore drilling, they talked about that point at great length. (GovSpot has a well-outlined point/counterpoint.)

But sucky legislation is apparently favorable to no legislation (see: FISA reauthorization), so we've stopped thinking about how increased off-shore drilling will undoubtedly shift focus away from what was shaping up to be a decently enthusiastic jaunt through the world of alternative energy, sustainability, and breaking America's "addiction to foreign oil."

I can say with reasonable certainty that the reason Congress' approval rating is 9% is because of deals like this. Save the caribou.

-This post is dedicated to the guys at the Pentagon City Apple store who saved my iPod and my sanity.