Rep. Thaddeus McCotter's blog

Dilettante Democrats broke from their convention’s hectic feting to huddle for hundreds of seconds to solve America’s energy crisis. But, alas, when these “Super Delegates of Done Nothing” emerged for the media, it was to pump mile high hypocrisy about American energy.

 

In sending this Colorado convention postcard to Americans, these vacationing, pro-lethargy Democrats once more insulted working families, many of whom cannot afford a family vacation.

 

Charitably, though, let us not hastily underestimate the publicly loathed House Democrat majority’s disingenuous undertaking, for it was also the height of arrogance.

 

Consider:

 

In wake of revanchist Russia’s invasion of Georgia, a sovereign democracy allied with the United States and Europe, the stunned Bush administration’s response to this failure of “quiet diplomacy” and “engagement” policy with Comrade Putin – he of the soulful eyes – was initially one of stammered clichés, each of which is revelatory, juvenile and injurious.

 

Consequently, to further the cause of liberty and security, we are compelled to dispel the clichés fostering the failed policy of “peace through speech”; reassert the doctrine of “peace through strength”; and advance concrete actions to punish Russia for invading Georgia.

 

The invasion of Georgia by Russia last Friday confirms that a new generation of Lenin's "useful idiots" are alive and well. Senator Charles Schumer, apparently now a lead negotiator for Russia, recently opined that Russia could be persuaded to support stronger sanctions against Iran if, in return, the United States refused to share its anti-ballistic missile shield with our allies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

 

In support of his deal to feed CEE to the revanchist Russian bear, Senator Schumer claimed our missile shield "mocks Mr. Putin's dream of eventually restoring Russian hegemony over Eastern Europe."

 

I oppose the Senate’s "Tepid Ten" attempt to address America’s energy crisis.

 

The Tepid Ten’s scheme is ill-advised and injurious to America’s energy future.

 

In treating Americans’ energy reserves like a re-districting map, politics – not production – is this proposal’s goal. In consequence, if embraced this proposal will perpetuate a governmentally imposed ban made obsolete by soaring energy prices and, thereby, continue a governmentally imposed shortage of American energy, particularly oil and gas. Thus, this proposal will not increase energy supplies sufficiently enough to provide economically suffering Americans critical, comprehensive relief from high gasoline and natural gas prices. Compounding this problem, the proposal’s tax increase will be passed on to Americans through higher gas prices; and, thus, increase working people’s pain at the pump.

 

Given these aforementioned and other flaws in their proposal, the Tepid Ten should, instead, heed working people’s cry to unleash America’s full energy; lower gasoline and natural gas prices; and always remember – be it regarding our energy crisis and other issues – the words of President Ronald Reagan:

 

"Government isn’t the solution. Government is the problem!"

 

Increasing her carbon footprint hawking her little-perused and even lesser-purchased book, vacationing U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has refused to reconvene Congress to hold a vote for lower gas prices and, instead, has issued a directive to her Politburo Palace Guard called MoveOn.Org: “Send in the Clowns!”

 

From disparate parts unknown, Pelosi’s extremist heralds of higher gas prices descended upon my district office where – to their immense surprise – they were met by a spontaneous counter-protest of working Americans who support reconvening Congress to vote for lower gas prices.

 

While Speaker Pelosi saves the planet and peddles her book, the “Drill Nothing” Democrat Congress continues to vacation and expect Americans to pedal to work.  But Republicans continue hosting an energy “Speak-In with America” to demand a vote on increasing American energy production and lowering gas prices; thus, this vital communications portal will remain open so your servants in Congress can hear directly from you, the American people, about your pain at the pump and your demand “The People’s House” work for you!

 

Facing momentous domestic problems and mounting disapproval ratings, two modern Presidents have differently dealt with “Do Nothing” Congresses.

 

Facing an “impossible” re-election, on July 26, 1948, the wildly unpopular and doggedly anti-communist President Harry S. Truman accepted his Democratic nomination and boldly confronted the GOP’s “Do Nothing” 80th Congress:

 

“My duty as President requires that I use every means within my power to get the laws the people need on matters of such importance and urgency.  I am therefore calling this Congress back into session July 26th.”

 

“Give ’em Hell Harry” got re-elected; and the “Do Nothing” 80th Congress got booted.

 

It was as unexpected as it was unprecedented in U.S. House history.

 

After already barely passing a resolution to give themselves a five week paid vacation, the Democrat Congress sneakily adjourned for the day in a craven attempt to escape Washington without a real vote to address America’s high gas prices and energy security. It also, they laughed, would silence Republican members from discussing America’s energy security and independence on the record after votes.

 

Per usual, the arrogant Democrat Congress – the most hated Congress in American history with good reason – was utterly wrong.

 

I wrote an article about Sen. Barack Obama’s trip that appears in today’s edition of the Berlin-based German national daily newspaper, Die Welt. Full text is below.

I recently publshed an OpEd in one of my hometown papers, The Northville Record, discussing the need for a 21st century energy plan which provides a responsible, and balanced approach incorporating a few key components, which are production, conservation, and free market innovation. The goal of which is to keep America's economic opportunities and energy security the world's greatest. I invite you read the article and let me know your thoughts.

In their latest assault on free speech, the Democrats have forgotten or ignored Thomas Jefferson’s spirited defense of humanity’s God-given freedom of conscience: “I have sworn upon the altar of almighty God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”

 

This post orginally appeared on The Hill Blog.   

Recently, Rep. Zach Wamp and I appeared on CNN's Lou Dobbs tonight to discuss the threats of communist China.  Click here to check it out.

 

Recently I spoke about my disappointment with the European Union and their decision to end diplomatic sanctions on Cuba at Babalublog.com. See below:

Annals of Shame

Yesterday [Thursday, June 19 2008], the European Union (EU) unilaterally offered to end its diplomatic sanctions on Cuba. Originally, in 2003, in spasm of moral clarity, the EU imposed a ban on high-level talks with communist Cuban officials after communist Cuba's dictator Fidel Castro arrested a group of political dissidents called the Group of 75.

In preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the Bush Administration has approved the export of sensitive equipment and technology to communist China to assist with Olympic security. Given communist China’s massive military build-up, lack of military transparency, continued espionage to acquire United States defense intelligence, and history of proliferating weapons and weapons related technology, it is important this recent transaction receive Congressional oversight.

While this transfer could have important implications for our national security, it could pose a profound moral problem if communist China uses American-designed advanced technologies to repress the Chinese people in the name of security.

Recently, I spoke on the House floor about the rising cost of energy and its effect on manufacturing. The video and text of my remarks are below:

 

"Over the recess, I had the opportunity to meet with a manufacturing community in my district; talk to managers, talk to owners, talk to employees. The one thing they all agree on is the cost of American energy is adding to their fixed costs at the very time international pressure is forcing them to reduce the cost of their product. In short, they're facing the nightmare scenario of energy prices forcing them to lay off workers in the manufacturing sector or to, unfortunately, terminate their employment altogether.

 

Recently, I spoke on the House floor in commemoration of the 19th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Protest in communist China. The video and text of my remarks are below:

 

Over the recess, I had the opportunity to meet with a manufacturing community in my district; talk to managers, talk to owners, talk to employees. The one thing they all agree on is the cost of American energy is adding to their fixed costs at the very time international pressure is forcing them to reduce the cost of their product. In short, they're facing the nightmare scenario of energy prices forcing them to lay off workers in the manufacturing sector or to, unfortunately, terminate their employment altogether.

Today I will be guest hosting the Dennis Miller Show from 12 - 1 PM EST. I will be taking listerners' calls. At 1:15, I'll be a guest on the Jerry Doyle show hosted today by Andrew Breitbart of Breitbart.com. Tune in.

Today I introduced Fiscal Integrity through Transparency (FIT) Act of 2008, a comprehensive assault on Washington waste. Americans want to know how the government spends their money. Congress must act to identify and fight for spending reforms to help put money back into the taxpayer's pocket

 

Excessive spending has rightfully raised doubts about the fiscal integrity of the federal budget and, most importantly, concern by taxpayers for their family budgets. More transparency, oversight and accountability is required in federal budgeting.

The FIT Act is a three part initiative to reduce government spending and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.