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The theater on C-SPAN begins with congressmen/representatives sitting on the lofty perch, concealing their indifference with a well rehearsed fury and the oil execs sitting below them like school kids who have been summoned to the principal’s office for some scolding. The theme of the play is simple. To create a notion that these lawmakers are genuinely concerned about the effects of the soaring gas price on the public or the not so rich people. It is also to conjure the perception in people’s mind that lawmakers are actively taking measures to address the rising gas prices and defuse the public outcry. A play directed by these elected officials/actors/clowns where they publicly deride the oil execs for making an obscene profit and basking in scads of money as bonus when millions of people are struggling at the pump. A drama where the oil execs were also severely chastised for donating only 1% of this profit towards research for renewable energy and sternly castigated for doing next to nothing in reducing greenhouse gas emission. What a travesty!
After this public circus; Are we supposed to expect that the execs guilt would suddenly take over their greedy consciensce and cut back on their profits and bonus to lower gas prices? Do we really expect them to donate more towards research for renewable energy or take steps towards reducing green house gas emission? I’d rather expect the Miami Heats win an NBA championship this year than something of substance trickling down as a result of this hearing. This hearing is merely a burlesque soap opera because no laws have been enacted nor any bill has been passed as a result. If the lawmakers genuinely felt the pain of the people and the tingling urge to resolve it, they could have easily done it on the senate or house floor without this unnecessary theatric. They could have simply pushed for a Bill that would revoke the Bush tax breaks that gave the oil companies around 18 billion dollars this year and use that money to subsidise the price of gas at the pump. They can also use part of that money to be invested in independent researches on alternative or renewable source of energy. Simple as that. yet they decide to stage a public parody for us. Even though the lawmakers are fully aware that revoking tax break is one of the many pragmatic solution for the “oil crises”, they are reluctant from taking this approach because after all these are the same people who voted for the Bush tax plan. These are the same people who pocket money from the oil companies through lobbyist to advance policies on behalf of the oil companies. These are the same rich fat cats whose wallet wont be dinged let alone dented by the sky rocketting gas price. Why should we expect anything different than callous apathy and patehtic lip service from them. Their concern is obvious and their priorities are clear.
It all falls down upon us the people to look out for ourselves and become economical in our oil consumption. To shift towards hybrid vehicles and other efficient vehicle models. It boils down to us giving up horse power for more mileage per buck. This would also indirectly coerce auto makers to focus on fuel efficency rather than more hemi in the baby because its the market that drives the industry. The new hybrid Chevy Tahoe is a good testament to this theory. Also, more efficiency would also mean less waste which would contribute towards lowering greenhouse gas emission and doing our scorched earth a favor. Maybe something positive could come out of this heedless hearing. Not by the action of the pathetic lawmakers or the unashamedly greedy execs but through the proactive action of the people.