how do these people walk and chew gum at the same time?

there are two kinds of fools in our government

Part whatever in a series...

John McCain, today:

""We have proven oil reserves of at least 21 billion barrels in the United States. But a broad federal moratorium stands in the way of energy exploration and production,” McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, will say at a Houston speech late Tuesday afternoon, according to advance excerpts released by his campaign. “And I believe it is time for the federal government to lift these restrictions and to put our own reserves to use.""

So lets do some math...

1. America currently uses 22 billion barrels a year.

2. McCain, is wrong (or lying, he is a republican after all) about the figure. 21 billion was 2 years ago. It hasn't stayed at that amount, and it isn't growing. The current estimate is 18.

Even if he was right, and we could get at all of it, (which we can't, and not because of a moratorium) that is a whole year of oil. Less actually.

So Mr. Straight talk, what do we do for 2010?

Naturally that is an oversimplification. First of all, we can't get it all. Some is simply not accessible by modern technology. And the stuff we can get too? Well it will take about 17 years to get a meaningful amount to market. Won't that be helpful? If it is going to take 17 years anyway, why not use that time and money to develop alternative energy?

And when it does get to the market, it will make a huge difference. In fact the department of energy estimates that if the current price holds until then, that drilling will drop the price 50 whole cents! Go wild! Buy an SUV! Buy 2! Buy a Hummer!

But then that is assuming that the oil companies pass the savings on to us.

....you know, those companies that just posted record profits even though they are getting record size tax breaks?

Yeah, I bet they slash prices to the bone......