There are those in Congress who take a measured approach to serious issues, and then there are the Republicans.   This week, in an all out effort to shed its abysmal approval numbers and disastrous polling predictions in Congressional races across the country, the GOP took up the one issue that they hope could provide political light at the end of a very dark tunnel: drilling for oil off of America’s coastline.   It’s a bit of a political masterstroke.   Republicans have found a way to frame an issue and a “solution” that could make the general public feel as though their concerns over high gas prices are being addressed, while at the same time doing the bidding of one of their chief benefactors, Big Oil.

The logic of this so-called solution asks us to forget global warming, the quest for higher fuel efficiency, the burgeoning alternative energy sector, and, most blatantly, the fact that drilling for oil off of US coastlines will bring zero short term relief whatsoever to gasoline prices and little to no impact in a future where Chinese and Indian consumption could soon dwarf that of the United States if we proceed on our present course.   But who said politics was about facts?

Now, sadly, the Democrats in Congress are about to give in on the issue, crafting a compromise that could reportedly allow limited drilling off the coasts of several states in what appears to be an effort to keep the GOP from getting an issue that lets them off the political mat, so to speak.   But, never to be undone in sheer gall, Republicans this week - while a compromise was in the works - made a startling ultimatum demanding Democrats lift the drilling ban or they would let this fall’s spending bill expire without allowing a new one, in effect, shutting down the United States Government.   Nothing like a little bravado spiked publicity just before an issue is about to disappear.

Hopefully Congressional Democrats will stick to their guns enough to minimize any drilling agreed to while maximizing alternative energy initiatives, like the stalled Alternative Energy Investment Tax Credit, in their compromise.   Unfortunately for Republicans, with oil prices quickly falling, their political daylight on gas prices is quickly coming to a close, leaving voters to further ponder the endless war in Iraq and the lackluster economy.

You can takepart by contacting your Representative in Congress to demand they keep their sights on the real issues and pass legislation to spur more action on clean, renewable energy.

Washington Times: GOP: LIft Drilling Ban or Risk Shutdown

The Swamp: House GOP oil-drilling protest resumes

Washington Times: Democrats hit shutdown threat