Over a $100 Barrel

When the price of oil broke $80 a barrel more than three months ago, I noted that George W. Bush ran in 2000 on a pledge to drive down oil costs. That was when oil was $30 a barrel.

Today, oil broke $100 a barrel for the first time. According to the New York Times, "Some analysts worry that gasoline could hit $4 a gallon by next spring if oil prices remain at high levels."

The failure of conservative energy policy and conservative foreign policy continues to weaken our economic security and national security.

Continued occupation, money for friendly dictators, and saber-rattling with other dictators has further destabilized the globe and spiked oil prices. While taxpayer handouts to Big Oil and conservative obstruction of renewable energy initiatives keeps clean energy inaccessible and unaffordable.

As a result, we remain dependent on increasingly expensive and consistently dirty fossil fuel.

Conservatives recognize that the public is desperate for a clean energy policy. But their bright idea is to drill for more oil at home, as if that will do anything to combat global warming and provide affordable clean energy.

Conservatives may be addicted to oil. But we don't have to be.

Views expressed on this page are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Campaign for America's Future or Institute for America's Future