Democrats figure they should take a bow for President Joe Biden's statesmanlike decision to draw down the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and mitigate increases in the price of gas.
The Republican whip, Metairie's own Steve Scalise, is more inclined to kick Democrats in the pants for endangering the country's “energy independence” by raiding the reserve while still failing to stop price increases at the pump.
According to the Republicans, it will be all cakes and ale now that they are taking back the House. They promise, in a mini-manifesto called “Commitment to America,” not only to “reduce energy costs for American families,” but to lower inflation, secure the border, reduce crime and generally put the kibosh on what Scalise sees as the “Democrats' socialist agenda.”
If they can do all that by controlling half of the legislative branch, imagine what wonders they could have performed if the expected “red wave” had materialized in the recent elections.
Had that happened, former President Donald Trump would have emerged as king of the Republicans once again, whereas he now seems to be something of a spent force politically. He is certainly in considerable jeopardy in the legal arena.
As for “Commitment to America,” it carries as much weight as any politician's pledge, which is hardly any. Beware any candidate claiming the ability to control inflation, which is largely beyond the control of elected officials.
Democrats nevertheless styled their most recent blockbuster legislation the “Inflation Reduction Act,” which might seem pretty humorous, considering that it includes $370 billion in “clean energy incentives meant to slash the use of harmful greenhouse gases.”
Scalise did not miss the chance to mock what is clearly an inflationary move in the short or medium term. The payoff, if it does come, will be some years hence.
As Scalise sees it, Democrats are wrecking the American economy while other nations make a mint from fossil fuels and climate change continues unabated.
He has a point; as Biden himself remarked, America cannot beat global warming by itself. Without the cooperation of China and India, say, American sacrifice will mean little.
The political parties are far apart on the issue, so Biden sounds the alarm for humanity, while Scalise is more inclined to make hay while the sun shines.
All countries will be relying on fossil fuels for a long time yet regardless, but even the GOP's most obstinate mossbacks must see that the world is approaching the brink of catastrophe.
Biden gave Scalise an easy opening by converting to clean energy at home while urging Saudi Arabia to produce more oil, with all the attendant environmental woes. Instead, the Saudis cut production to drive up the price of oil, leading Biden to look powerless, and not a little humiliated. His abasement was complete when he was photographed fist bumping Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, generally viewed as responsible for the murder of Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi
Ultimately, however, Biden is right to call for a greater sense of urgency in combating climate change, because this is no time for scoring facile political points. As storms grow fiercer and droughts more severe, the only conceivable explanation must lie in mankind's misuse of the world's resources.
We can argue about which political party is responsible for gas prices, and whether it is wise to deplete the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. But when it comes to the climate, only a united front will do.
Email James Gill at gill504nola@gmail.com.