Keystone Caper
Leave it to The One to simultaneously slam the brakes on a project that has the potential to create tens of thousands of new jobs, pump about $20 billion into the economy and reduce our reliance on foreign oil imported from countries that hate us, while rolling out a reelection campaign ad that touts the wonders of green-energy boondoggles that are bankrupting taxpayers and killing jobs.
Obama managed the feat this week when he squashed a permit to build the Keystone XL pipeline that would have transported crude oil from Canadian tar sands to refineries along the Gulf Coast. His reasoning? More study was needed to determine the environmental impact of the project.
Which is odd, considering the pipeline has been under review going on four years now and even the White House’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness had endorsed job-creating initiatives like Keystone XL:
“(P)olicies that facilitate the safe, thoughtful and timely development of pipeline, transmission and distribution projects are necessary to facilitate the delivery of America’s fuel and electricity and maintain the reliability of our nation’s energy system,” the council stated in its report.
Such projects were crucial for the U.S. to build its energy security, expand the economy and maintain its technological edge, it said.
“(R)egulatory and permitting obstacles that could threaten the development of some energy projects negatively impact jobs and weaken our energy infrastructure need to be addressed,” it stated.
In that light, it seemed entirely reasonable when a bi-partisan majority in Congress demanded a decision on the pipeline within 60 days. The push was made in response to Obama’s preference to wait until after the 2012 elections to make a decision. Forced into a corner and pressured by his liberal base to reject the Keystone deal, Obama chose politics over energy independence and job creation … well, save one. This from The Calgary Sun:
To keep himself employed in the world’s top political job, [Obama is] prepared to deprive untold thousands of U.S. workers of gainful work and turn his back on billions in taxes and spinoff benefits.
Until the Keystone XL is built, the U.S. will continue to import millions of barrels of oil from undemocratic countries whose goals are at polar opposites to those of the great democracy south of the border.
He’s gambling he can win back the support of those who’ve grown disillusioned with him, but risks alienating his countrymen who want a speedy end to hard times in their country.
It’s an act of desperation so brazenly transparent even Obama won’t be able to talk his way out of this one.
Which isn’t to say he isn’t already trying:
We need your help! If you like PunditHouse, please consider donating to us. Even $5 a month can make a difference!
Short URL: https://pundithouse.com/?p=8352
