by Magnifico
Tue Mar 4th, 2008 at 07:01:21 PM EST
Today, in a press conference with King Abdullah of Jordan, George W. Bush was asked about OPEC's plan to not increase oil production output. In his response, Bush answered:
I think it's a mistake to have your biggest customer's economy slow down, or your biggest customers' economies slowing down as a result of high energy prices. It's not the only result -- our economy is slowing down. I mean, obviously we've got a housing issue and some credit issues. But no question, the high price of gasoline has hurt economic growth here in the United States. And if I were a member of OPEC, I'd be concerned about high energy prices causing people to buy less energy over time.
Yes. Bush, Mister "Addicted to Oil", is concerned that Americans will use less oil.
His answer continues...
And the other thing high energy prices of course does, which is stimulate alternative fuels, which we're doing a lot here in America. We're spending a lot of money on biofuels and ethanols and new ways to make ethanol. My advice to OPEC -- of course they haven't listened to it -- but my advice to OPEC is to understand the consequences of high energy prices, because I do, and I understand this is affecting our American citizens. It's making it harder for people to be able to drive, and it's making it tough for families to save.
And so not only is it -- high energy prices having an effect on -- a macro effect on our economy, it's affecting a lot of our families, which troubles me, as well. And by the way, the higher energy prices stay, the more likely it is countries will quickly diversify. And that's part of our strategy.
Bush's other great worry is that the high price of oil might encourage research into alternative fuels and that nations will diversify their energy sources. Sure, Bush couches his brain scramble saying this is part of the U.S. strategy and the high prices hurt people so they can't save... like Americans save money anymore.
No, Bush's real concern is that Americans might be motivated, finally, to kick the oil habit. If Americans can kick the oil habit, then Bush might not be able to "replenish the ol' coffers" so easily by getting Big Oil speaking engagements.
Bush is worried people will conserve energy and use less Middle Eastern oil, but also that countries will diversify energy sources and be motivated to move away from oil completely. If we aren't using oil, then we won't want to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or in national parks or in marine estuaries.
The "credit issues" America faces are the result of seven years of the Bush administration. The United States is broke thanks to Bush's tax cuts for the rich and his war for oil in Iraq. Of course, his OPEC friends won't listen to his "advice". They know he's an idiot and a lame duck resident of the White House. Plus, OPEC is doing just fine as oil reached the all-time record yesterday at $103.95 a barrel.
And while, it does not come as a great shock to discover where the man who lied a nation into war over oil true priorities are, but it is nice to have him say so himself. Unfortunately, the press seems to have missed Bush's priorities and focused on the so-called OPEC snub.
