Dew Calls Out Matheson for Adjournment Vote

Aug 04, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) Congressman Jim Matheson's Republican opponent in the November election is calling him out for voting for Congress to adjourn last week. Former homebuilder Bill Dew says Matheson is joining his fellow Democrats in Congress to put off the problem of high gas prices and the lack of oil shale development in the West.

"We need energy and we need it now, and I'd be willing to work. I'd go knocking on the doors of the BLM, or the EPA, or whatever, just so we can start producing energy," said Dew. "The people of Utah are fed up. Everywhere I go, all they talk about is the price of gas."

Dew says he would have voted against adjourning, as Utah's Republican representatives and senators did. Congress will return the second week of September.

Congressman Matheson says he is addressing the issue of high gas prices and oil shale development, both in a bill he introduced in June to curb oil speculation, and another one he says addresses all aspects of high energy prices, both in the short and long term.

"I think most people in this country know that if we want to address our energy circumstances, we need a balanced, comprehensive approach where everything's on the table," said Matheson. "That's the plan I've offered in Congress, and I encourage Congress to continue to have that debate."

Matheson says he wants oil shale development to happen in Utah. He believes that both parties have been too focused on rhetoric instead of reform.

1. Give Me Liberty said:

We don't need the debate. We have enough hot air as it is.

Matheson and the Congress just need to get out of our way. Stop tying us down and crippling our economy.

Just another example of Matheson talking like he is doing something, but he's just wasting our time and money.

2. Professor said:

If Congress would have opened up exploration, drilling and refining, taken the limits off nuclear during the past two weeks we would have seen the price of oil drop drastically.

Instead of taking care of the problem Matheson, the swing vote, decided to keep the shackles on our energy development.

3. lawman said:

The oil companies already have leases on 33 million acres off-shore and 63 million more acres on-shore (most with existing environmental permits)where they can drill immediately. Yet they don't.

Further, reserves far larger than the ANWR exist in the Alaska Petroleum Reserve righ next to ANWR, yet big oil doesn't drill there either.

Wake up. Big Oil and their republican lackeys don't want to lower the price of oil. They want to keep focusing on places they can't drill not on the places they can, thereby polarizing the debate and 51% of the public swallows it hook, line, and sinker.

Remember Bush's campaign statement in 2000 about he and Cheney being oilmen and they can "jawbone" with the oil companies? Well, gasoline was $1.46 when they took office.

As for dropping the price of gasoline tomorrow, keep dreaming. Even drilling everywhere big oil wants won't reduce the price for 10 years and then only a cent or two per gallon. Even Jawbonin' Bush admitted that in one of his few lucid moments of fleeting honesty.

The bill the Hose passed

4. lawman said:

(continued) The bill the House passed required the oil companies do drill on the existing leases or lose them so they can be leased to someone else. The bill also required the oil to be sold in the US only. Yet, big oil republican lackeys stalled the bill in the Senate.

5. Me Want Representation said:

Since when is ok for a Congressman to go to Washington for three terms and not pass a single piece of legislation? I got a bulletin or update from Matheson last week. What did he do for me at the gas pump? Nothing. He just gave me some helpful hints about how to reduce consumption. Thanks for nothing. My wife does that already. Matheson's job is to write and pass laws that make a difference, not participate in a debating society that leaves the office early while there is still work to be done.

I'm voting for Bill Dew in November.

6. Utah Owl said:

Agree with GiveMeLiberty - we have enough hot air without the fake "debate" in D.C. The Republicans have had 8 years to produce an energy policy that would reduce our dependence on foreign sources, but no, as long as their paymasters in Big Oil & Coal were happy, they did nothing. Sorry, folks, gas is never going to be as cheap as it was several years ago, and no amount of "knocking on doors" by Bill Dew is going to fix that. Because our consumption has dropped (gee, maybe conservation IS useful?) & the Saudis are pumping more oil, the crude oil price has dropped nearly $50/barrel. But China & India are still ramping up, & gas prices will probably stay well above $2/gal. All the whining about "shackles" on our energy policy ignores the unpleasant facts - oil shale isn't close to ready for prime time & will take 7-9 years at best to produce any significant petroleum, & then it will be a pimple on world oil supply, so prices won't drop because of it. (Free markets -They're global!) Offshore drilling could produce natural gas & some oil in maybe 5 years, but there is a shortage of drilling rigs & platforms, so it can't fill the gap until several years from now either. At least Matheson is being honest compared to Dew, Bishop & the raving Republicans who have just discovered the energy crisis in the last 2 months....

7. Tired of it said:

I am so tired of hearing these Domocrat talking points..."10 years"... "2 cents". Give me a break! 75% of the American public want us to drill here, but Nancy Pelosi won't even allow an up/down vote. Obama says "just inflate your tires", give me a break! I am tired of these do-nothing congressional Democrats. Matheson has to go!!! At this point, we need to do EVERYTHING, drill here, nuclear power, solar, wind, hydro, EVERYTHING! I voted for Jason Chaffetz and I would advise those in Matheson's district to vote for Bill Dew! WE NEED CHANGE! And not the kind of change Obama is talking about, if Obama is elected, this country is really screwed!

8. Realistic said:

Hey, Owl, you got it wrong. Consumption has come down, but that's not why the price of oil is dropping, ever so slightly. It's because the Saudis are afraid that if they don't let up, we WILL drill, and with increased supply the price will hit them hard. And with angry mullahs and an exploding population, they can't afford to lose their hold on us.

The truth of the matter is that drilling alone won't solve the energy issue. The answer needs to be comprehensive. But we can start and we can make a difference NOW by drilling. It should be a part of the package.

Matheson hasn't done a single thing in all his years in D.C. Who cares what he says. He's been useless and pointless from day one. He's voted against our interests, from day one. Send him home. Send someone who will WORK, not go on long five week vacations in August while the people pay the price.