[quote author="stepping_up" date=1235486006][quote author="WINEX" date=1235484967][quote author="stepping_up" date=1235483198]
Exactly... which party has been in control for the last 8 years that led us to where we are today?</blockquote>
The Democrats had a majority in the Senate in 2001 and 2002. Though technically the Republicans regained the majority in 2003 (through 2006), when you look at the liberal voting records of people like Olympia Snow, Arlen Spector and others, the liberals still had the stronger voice.
The Republicans did have a small majority in the House from 2001 through 2006.
From 2006 through today, the Democrats have had a majority in both the House and Senate.
Of course the Executive Branch was led by Republicans from 2001 through the beginning of 2009.
But that has absolutely nothing to do with where we are today. (Assuming here you are talking about the economy)
Are you confused about the roles of the Executive and the Legislative Branches?
Or is your confusion just related to the cause of the economic problems this country faces?</blockquote>
My confusion is more around why you would attempt to blame the Dems (look, I know a lot of them really suck) and defend your party for where we are today. I'm not just talking about the economy... I"m talking our two wars, our energy strategy, the state of our infrastructure, how the vets are treated, etc....</blockquote>
I know this may be difficult for you to comprehend, but I blame the Islamo fascists for the war we are engaged in. (BTW, there is only one active war going on that I am aware of. There are multiple fronts in the war, but there is only one war)
And I find the way that liberals treat the brave men and women who serve our country absolutely deplorable.
As for the energy strategy, are you saying that this problem has just arisen in the last 8 years? Furthermore, are you so confused about the role of government that you think that the Executive Branch is capable of solving the problem?
Allow me to clear some of the fog that is perpetually circulating inside your head.
Despite any vague campaign promises that you may be naive enough to believe, $150 billion in government funding over 10 years is a true pittance. US oil consumption is about 21 million barrels a day. Even at the current price of $38 per barrel, this comes out to $798 million a day. Without even considering natural gas, nuclear energy, or alternative fuels (defined as energy sources that no one uses), we spend $291.3 billion a year on oil. Unimaginable riches await the person or company that can either find more sources of oil, or find energy sources that are cost competitive with oil. A small federal subsidy of $15 billion a year is meaningless. If an answer is out there, the private sector has amble reward to find that answer.
But those facts not withstanding, energy problems are nothing new. I remember odd/even gas rationing and lines from when I was a kid. Of course the problem wasn't that there was a shortage of oil. The problem was that the government set price caps on oil and there was a shortage of oil available for the government mandated price. (There's a lesson in there that applies to current problems as well. The markets are more powerful than governments. Any attempt to manipulate free markets ends up being an expensive lesson in failure)