Congress shares blame with Bush

Gerald G. Utz Madison County
Published: July 24, 2008

Congress shares blame with Bush

Is President Bush to blame for all our woes?

Just prior to the Democrats taking control in Congress late 2006, the congressional approval rating was 35 percent — now it is around 10 percent. The inflation rate was at 1.97 percent — now it is 5.02 percent. Gasoline prices averaged $2.20 per gallon ($60 dollars per barrel) — now it is $4.10 per gallon ($130 per barrel). The unemployment rate was 4.6 percent — now it is at 5.2 percent.

A lot of these increases can be attributed to the rising energy costs and the lack of action by Congress to try to alleviate the problems. Seventy three percent of polled Americans are in favor of easing the off-shore drilling restrictions to help the U.S. become less reliant on imported oil. Congress should listen to the voters who put them in office and lift the restrictions on off-shore drilling as recommended by President Bush. The Democrats claim it would not help prices at the pump now, but if it is not done soon, we will only see increased prices by the oil-producing countries, which basically hold us hostage.

During the campaigning in 2006, we were made numerous promises on how the new Congress would cure all our problems greatly improve our lives.

I think it is high time Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and friends made good on their campaign promises, quit pointing fingers at President Bush and accept part of the blame for our current problems.