Kerry And Coakley: President Bush Out-Of-Touch On Gas Prices

Massachusetts Consumers Paying Skyrocketing Prices at the Pump

02/29/2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator John Kerry today sent a letter to President Bush expressing his deep concern that the President and his Administration remain out-of-touch with skyrocketing gas prices across the nation.

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Just yesterday, President Bush, when asked about predictions that gas prices would approach $4 a gallon, said, "That's interesting. I hadn't heard that."

Senator Kerry today said, “Working people across the country have been struggling to fill their gas tanks for months, and Congress has been sounding the alarm about the rising costs of gas, and yet, President Bush seems genuinely surprised that there’s a crisis. This isn’t a matter to be taken lightly. Millions of Americans are feeling the affects of this Administration’s backwards looking energy policies. It’s time the White House wake up to the harsh economic reality that people all over the country face every day at the gas pump.”

Massachusetts Attorney Martha Coakley echoed Kerry’s frustrations.

“Massachusetts consumers already pay some of the highest utility costs in the nation and the rising cost of gasoline and oil has put a huge strain on working families and businesses in the Commonwealth. These increased costs have impacted all sectors of our economy and we need to develop real solutions and do more to better protect the citizens of Massachusetts and across the nation,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. “It is clear that the Bush Administration’s energy policy does not adequately and appropriately address the issue at hand.”

The text of the letter is as follows:

President George Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush:

I was dismayed at your reaction to a question regarding gas prices that was asked during your press conference this morning. You seemed genuinely shocked to learn about the skyrocketing gas prices in communities around the country.

Oil closed at a record high on Tuesday, and gas prices are now following the same trajectory. Average national gas prices have jumped 19 cents a gallon in the last two weeks, and many experts have stated that they expect prices to rise to $4 a gallon by Memorial Day -- well above the high of $3.23 a gallon set last Memorial Day weekend.

These statistics are the latest indication of the energy crisis facing our nation. Rising prices are creating real challenges for Americans around the country. The average American family is now paying 131% more for transportation fuel costs than they were in 2001, and these increased fuel costs are reflected in rising prices for daily needs ranging from meat to milk.

We need solutions today to respond to the needs of our communities. One of the best steps we can take is to invest resources in developing clean energy technologies, to bolster domestic energy sources and create millions of green jobs. However, yesterday you announced your intention to veto a renewable energy tax package that would do just that. Among your reasons for threatening the veto is the fact that the green energy package is paid for by rolling back $17.6 billion over 10 years in tax breaks for big oil -- corporations that surely don’t need assistance given that the top 5 oil companies reported record profits of $123 billion in 2007. In light of the challenges faced by American families, I urge you to reconsider your opposition to energy tax packages under consideration in both the House and the Senate.

In addition, there are a number of other important steps we can take, including addressing price gouging, managing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve more wisely, and investing in energy efficiency and green building practices. Families are suffering impacts of high energy costs today, and we know the problem is only going to get worse. The time for excuses and inaction is over. It’s time to act to put forward an aggressive energy plan to reduce our nation’s dependence on oil and bring energy costs down. I welcome your support as we advance policies to achieve these critical goals.

Sincerely,

John F. Kerry

Source: Senator John Kerry