Democratic Radio Address 9-6-08

[0:28] ..." are in race in my hometown -- your daily from commuters truckers small business owners and people on fixed income. They tell me how the cost of oil and gas are impacting their lives. For eight years two oil men in the White House have crafted this country's energy policy. And -- year's big oil has raked in unprecedented profits. Barack Obama summed up -- sediment"...

[1:25] ..." higher energy costs. In addresses the long term crisis apart dependence on Middle East oil. Barack Obama has set a goal for this country he's laid down a marker. Under his presidency. We will end our addiction to oil from the Middle East within ten years. His challenger Michael president Kennedy school to send demands of the moon well we accomplish that in nine years."...

[2:38] ..." vote on legislation that actually does something to lower the price you pay at the pump. We will take speculators. Out of our energy futures markets where they've artificially drive up the cost that the -- We will"...

[0:00]" Hi I'm congressman John Larson -- start for Connecticut vice chairman of the house democratic caucus. In Denver Barack Obama struck a chord with the American people. When he spoke about the change we need now. It is their fierce urgency of now that led John Mitchell a former Republican mayor in my district. To tell me about the plight of everyday citizens forced to turn over their entire Social Security check in order to heat their homes. That are in race in my hometown -- your daily from commuters truckers small business owners and people on fixed income. They tell me how the cost of oil and gas are impacting their lives. For eight years two oil men in the White House have crafted this country's energy policy. And -- year's big oil has raked in unprecedented profits. Barack Obama summed up -- sediment on the bush McCain policy. In one word. Enough. Enough of the energy policies designed behind closed doors with the oil industry. Enough of John McCain's senate Republicans blocking tax credits for alternative energy. Enough of the exorbitant cost of Philip -- gas tanks and enough of choosing between prescription drugs buying food and heating our homes. Enough. It is time for an energy policy that puts main street before Wall Street. It is time for comprehensive energy plan that -- the short term burden of higher energy costs. In addresses the long term crisis apart dependence on Middle East oil. Barack Obama has set a goal for this country he's laid down a marker. Under his presidency. We will end our addiction to oil from the Middle East within ten years. His challenger Michael president Kennedy school to send demands of the moon well we accomplish that in nine years. In this new goal is within the grasp of the American people. And the new direction congress is ready to embrace it. Unfortunately some Republicans in congress including John McCain. Has spent the last few months obstructing progress and doing the bidding of the oil industry. They offered nothing but the empty mantra of drill drill drill. Democrats support drilling. But they drill only plan would do nothing but drilled deeper and deeper into your wallet. Now look while the oil companies have remained flush. Your wallet is running dry. When we return to Washington next week the democratic congress under the leadership of speaker Nancy Pelosi will put forward a comprehensive bipartisan energy plan. That puts us on the path towards reaching our energy goals. We will vote on legislation that actually does something to lower the price you pay at the pump. We will take speculators. Out of our energy futures markets where they've artificially drive up the cost that the -- We will consider responsibly opening portions of the outer kind of show for drilling. While demanding that big oil companies used the leases they have already been issued. Or return them to the public. We will invest the royalties -- the American taxpayer an alternative energy technology and we will continue to call for the release of oil from our national stockpile. To help lower the price at the -- After all if the president to release our reserves. When the oil companies come asking why can't we do the same but the American people ask. As oilman T Boone Pickens says we can't drill our way out of this problem not what Americans use 25% of the world's oil. But only -- 3% of the reserves. Under the Bush Administration we now import 70% of our oil at a cost of 700 billion dollars a year. Enough. We need to address our future energy needs with a federal renewable electricity standard consisting of alternative forms of energy. Including natural gas solar power wind biomass and geothermal power and fuel cells. In short everything must be on the table. Democrats in congress and Barack Obama believe that we need to put America first by putting them to work in a green economy. But the strength and ingenuity of the American people we can propel ourselves -- and energy Independent future. My fellow Americans. We can do this. And we must begin now. I'm congressman John Larson thank you for listening. God bless you god bless America."