Conversations around Sherri Bukovskey’s kitchen table are much like yours. A dental hygienist from Maine, Sherri remembers the days not long ago when she could keep her home toasty warm in the wintertime for half the price it would cost today.
She remembers when no one in her neighborhood would even consider foregoing medication in order to afford their weekly grocery bill — a decision that recently only the poorest of America’s poor had to make, but that is becoming more and more common across America today. [bold, links added]
According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, more than 20 million American households (1 in 6 American homes) are struggling to meet their home energy bills, the worst crisis the group has ever documented.
The collective amount owed has doubled from the end of 2019 to now.
Families struggling to put food on the table may not find those mean tweets quite so distasteful now as they wistfully recall the Trump-era policies that saved the average family of four $2,500 a year.
But why are American families facing this energy-driven inflationary spiral? Well, prices have surged because President Joe Biden’s policies essentially guaranteed they would surge.
When there is a shortage of a product in demand, the price of that product increases. Fossil fuels are clearly in high demand and limiting the supply of such fuels obviously increased the costs.
Biden made his devastatingly bad policies on oil production crystal clear from the beginning of his run for the presidency.
Recall that during the 2020 campaign, Biden told a young supporter “look in my eyes” as he said, “I guarantee you we’re going to end fossil fuels.” That statement wasn’t one of the all-too-common Biden gaffs.
In a February 2020 rally, he stated very clearly from prepared remarks, “We are going to get rid of fossil fuels.”
And there you have it.
Today, tight diesel and natural gas supplies threaten to exacerbate already sky-high inflation and supply chain issues, devastating American families.
According to data the Department of Energy released last week, our diesel supply (essential for supply chain transportation) is down to 25 days, the lowest level on record going back to 1993.
For people in the Northeast, who depend on diesel to heat their homes in the winter (like Sherri Bukovsky), supplies have dropped to a third of their typical levels for this time of year.
The situation is critical. To address the existing and pending crises Biden’s anti-fossil fuel policies have caused, it seems obvious that the president should unequivocally admit the error of his ways and tell American bankers, asset managers, administration officials, and environmentalists to get out of the way because America needs more oil now!
That apparently is not as obvious as it sounds.
On Monday, the president — who guaranteed he would get rid of fossil fuels — demanded that fossil fuel companies increase production.
Seriously. He attacked oil companies for taking “windfall of war” profits, demanded that they increase their production, and threatened them with a “higher tax” on their excess profits if they fail to invest in increased production.
It boggles the mind. In what economic universe do you encourage investment with the threat of higher taxes on an industry you have already committed to destroying?
For some inexplicable reason, Biden remains committed to his “whole-of-government approach” in attacking the oil and gas industry — seemingly oblivious that his policies are causing the problem.
To the extent oil industry profits are a windfall of war, it’s the Biden administration’s war with fossil fuel producers – which was driving energy prices higher well before Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.
Even Fed Chairman Jerome Powell has admitted that Biden’s “Putin Price Hike” claim is simply untrue.
Threatening oil companies is not how you get them to invest. Just a couple of years ago, during nationwide forced lockdowns, these same companies had record losses.
Now they’re using some of those profits to pay off debts, and, if Biden stops his anti-fossil fuel onslaught, they will eventually use that money to increase production.
But why would any business invest in new infrastructure if the government is simply going to regulate it out of existence?
And speaking of profits from increased oil prices, when Biden releases oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, he does exactly what oil companies do — he sells it in the open market in a “price competitive sale.”
The government doesn’t give its oil away for free, and it doesn’t sell it at cost. It sells at the market rate — just like oil companies.
Biden is criticizing oil companies for taking “a windfall of war” profit, while he sells oil at the same price, taking the same profits, and claiming credit for any reduction in the federal deficit. Some might call that hypocritical. Others might be more direct.
In reality, access to affordable, reliable energy has reduced poverty and improved human lives dramatically for two centuries.
Few industries have truly invested in America like oil and gas. Biden’s policies are an irrational threat to that prosperity. American families are now experiencing the initial impact of the Left’s war on fossil fuels. Hopefully, it’s enough of a wake-up call to end the insanity.
Read more at Fox News
Several years ago, I sat down with my wife & another couple for dinner. During the course of the meal I revealed to the husband (a Progressive environmentalist) that I had been an oil industry employee. Over the course of the next few minutes, I politely listened as he lectured me on environmental stewardship. Understand that I currently have over 30 years as an environmental professional BOTH in the private sector & as a federal employee, thankfully soon to retire. After a bit, I said, well, if you want to impose all the regulations, taxes & penalties you seek on that vile industry, fine. Just understand the consequence that gasoline may run $5.00- $6.00/gallon and that will potentially hurt the lower income folks the most. His immediate response? “Well, if they can’t afford it, then F#@K them.” As POTUS would say…”no joke.” After many interactions with these activists over the years, I have come to only one conclusion. You cannot have a rational, fact based, civilized conversation with an ideolouge. Most seem to have LITTLE CAPACITY to consider any evidence or ideas that don’t support their pre-determined narrative. You raely will penetrate the “fervor.” That simple. That basic flaw explains why this Administration exhibits no ability to “pivot” on any number of disastorous policies, especially energy. Larry Kudlow better be right. The CAVALRY can’t get here fast enough…
Your (ex)friend is an activist. “Damn the consequences! Let them walk!”
My neighbours are neither activist or politically astute. They believe that fighting global warming is for the good of their progeny. When it comes to energy conservation, that notion flies out their window. Cognitive dissonance or hypocrisy?
There’s millions of voters who are just as oblivious. We’re experiencing some of the nicest balmy November weather in memory here in Ontario. Everyone remarks on it happily, liberal or conservative. 65% of Canadians still vote for the parties pushing the anti – fossil fuel agenda.
Bizarre!
Al Gore, Joe Biden, George Soros, John Kerry, Bill Gates, et al are old and rich. They don’t pump their own gasoline. They ride in limousines and fly in private jets, surrounded by security, insulated from our daily reality. Their war on fuel is a war on you and me.