More drilling will solve the energy problems

With the misinformation about “more drilling will solve the energy problems” floating around conservative ads and punditry, you could be confused about who is motivated to do what. So, let’s return to the old, tested technique of “follow the money”.

Republicans, including Bush and McCain, want to drill for more oil, and pose drilling as either a complete or partial (depending on the audience) solution to our energy problems. Let’s think about this hypothetical situation – what if they were offered free reign to drill under these two conditions:

1. Any involved entity causing an environmental disaster must held quickly and completely accountable for the pollution, and fully fund the cleanup


2. All aspects of the drilling will be done as a non-profit venture, with any proceeds going directly to the US people instead of corporate profits

Now, imagine how they would react. If they really want to drill for the good of the people, you would think they would not object in the least to either point, right. Of course, you know in your heart of hearts that point one would be blown off like the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster that is still waiting for a resolution. Point number two, of course, would be complete deal-breaker, because you know that profit is the true motivation, not providing an energy solution.

Think about it – even Bush and McCain don’t try to argue the hard truths that drilling would actually take 10 years, and would increase global production between 1-2% at most. They just avoid dealing with the conclusion that a 1-2% improvement in 2019 is not a solution to our current problems. Further, they advocate drilling off the coasts of California and Florida. Those two states both have Republican governors, and public opinion in those states is so completely opposed to the drilling, that those governors risk their political futures by siding with their residents, against the GOP.