Reversing Pledge, Bush Lets OPEC Bilk Americans


As a presidential candidate in 2000, George Bush pledged to
use his "political capital" to influence OPEC when gas
prices soared, saying that during a crisis, a president,
"ought to get on the phone with the OPEC cartel and say, 'We
expect you to open your spigots"1. But with gas prices
soaring in the United States2, newspapers report the White
House now says the president refuses to "personally lobby
oil cartel leaders to change their minds"3.

With the president refusing to do anything about the
situation, OPEC opted this week to cut supply to further
inflate gas prices and bilk American consumers4. While Saudi
Arabia's ambassador told the White House yesterday that his
country supposedly opposed higher oil prices, the
president's refusal to use his close relations with the
Saudi government gave the Saudis a pass to support the OPEC
production cut5. Despite the Saudi effort to keep American
energy prices high - and despite their ties to terror
groups6 - the President continues to insist that the Saudi
Arabia is "our friend"7.

During his term, the president has pursued other policies
that help enrich the oil industry, which has given him more
than $3 million since 20008. For instance, his tax
legislation actually created a massive tax incentive for
consumers to purchase gas-guzzling SUVs over fuel efficient
hybrid cars9. Meanwhile, the first budget President Bush
introduced after taking office tried to cut 37%, (almost
$200 million), out of federal research on renewable energy
and energy efficiency programs10.

Sources:

1. "OPEC to cut back despite high prices", Washington
Times, 04/01/2004.
2. "Surging Gas Prices Pump Up Political Debate", Los
Angeles Times, 03/31/2004.
3. "Bush Refuses to Lean on Oil Cartel", Miami Herald,
04/01/2004.
4. "OPEC cut to oil output likely to keep prices near
record levels", Dallas Morning News, 04/01/2004.
5. "Saudi envoy plays nice with White House on oil
supply", USA Today, 04/02/2004.
6. "The Saudi Connection", US News and World Report,
12/15/2003.
7. President Bush Vows to Bring Terrorists to Justice,
05/15/2003.
8. OpenSecrets.Org.
9. "SUV, truck owners get a big tax break", Detroit
News, 12/18/2002.
10. "Proposed Bush Budget Cuts Renewables and Energy
Efficiency Programs", Resources for the Future, 04/11/2001.