AP--"Edwards Offers Immediate, Future Fixes for High Heating Oil Costs" LINK

[Blackhatjack]

Edwards is on the mark here. Immediate relief is needed to avert a disaster for the poor.

And his plan to have the DOJ "to investigate the massive mergers of oil companies in recent decades and modernizing antitrust laws to target oil and gas companies that take unilateral action to withhold supplies in order to raise prices." is exactly the way to get to the heart of this problem.

This is a plan ALL DEMOCRATS should get behind.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/mochila.php?articleId=10634280&channelId=76&buyerId=talkingpointsmemo_com400732&buid=86

HOLLY RAMER
AP News
Nov 24, 2007 21:16 EST

"Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards will outline a plan Sunday to provide immediate relief to families struggling with high heating oil bills and to ensure affordable prices in the future. Noting that home heating oil prices in New Hampshire have surpassed $3 a gallon, the former North Carolina senator is calling on Congress to release some of the nation's home heating oil and crude oil reserves as a way to bring down prices by increasing supply. He also is urging Congress to fully fund the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, according to a copy of his plan provided to The Associated Press."

"Earlier this month, President Bush vetoed a Democratic health and education spending bill that included $2.4 billion for heating subsidies for the poor, $480 million more than Bush requested.
"American families are facing skyrocketing home heating oil and gasoline prices, while big oil companies earn massive profits," Edwards said in remarks prepared for delivery Sunday afternoon in Rochester. "We need to stand up to the oil companies, increase the use of renewable energy and create affordable choices for regular families."

"Edwards said he would double the budget of a program that helps people weatherize their homes to $500 million a year. Upgrading home furnaces, ducts, windows and insulation can cut energy bills by about 30 percent, he said, but the program reaches only about 100,000 of the 28 million homes that could be eligible. He also proposes helping states and nonprofit groups administer low- or no-interest emergency loans to people struggling to pay their heating bills."

"His plan for longer-term relief from high home heating prices involves asking the Justice Department to investigate the massive mergers of oil companies in recent decades and modernizing antitrust laws to target oil and gas companies that take unilateral action to withhold supplies in order to raise prices. Under current law, companies can't be charged for those actions unless they are working with other companies, Edwards said. Edwards also proposes repealing tax breaks for the oil industry and reinvesting the savings in renewable energy projects."

[Mythsaje]

1. Not only do I like his stances on the issues...

I like his plans for doing something about them.

Go Edwards!

K&R

[Blackhatjack]

4. You listen to Edwards and you hear specific plans of action, not platitudes...n/t

[Mythsaje]

5. Precisely...

And that's what sets him apart from the other top-tier candidates.

[Blackhatjack]

6. I'm always suspicious of yet-to-be-named bipartisan committees who are going to study something...

... and then sit at the table with those who created the problem, and negotiate with them to do the right thing.

As Edwards says, you have to fight them and beat them, you can't negotiate with them. That is the only way.

[Mythsaje]

7. Again...totally on the right page.

Edwards knows that the gloves have to come off and we have to come out swinging. He can talk to the average American...he can address real day-to-day issues and give people hope for the future. Without double-talk.

that matters.

[silverojo]

10. That's what I like about him

That and the fact he actually gives a damn whether the poor live or die....

[Froward69]

13. like these?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4sQYhr9EwY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC-QQN61Taw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLe96WdWBbg&watch_response

[waiting for hope]

25. Why don't you post an

original OP in the Videos forum with those instead of putting them in an Edwards thread - you may get more exposure that way.

[Froward69]

27. I like to point out where your

candidate gets his Ideas.

[waiting for hope]

31. I was trying to be friendly here -

and Edwards has had an energy bill for months, no need to accuse.

http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/energy/20070320-energy-plan/

[gateley]

2. "This is a plan ALL DEMOCRATS should get behind"

Biden's given it some serious thought as well. During the MSNBC Debate in October he said:

SEN. BIDEN: A big piece of that cost is risk. People are betting on things getting worse. That old joke -- you know, when you're in a hole, you should stop digging. Why do we continue to cause the price of oil to rise by continuing to rattle a saber with Iran? Why do we continue to cause the price of oil to rise by a foreign policy that is (absolutely moribund ?) of any center? And what we have to do immediately to take care of those people in Iowa and New Hampshire, provide for emergency fuel assistance.

As usual, he gave a little background and a broader explanation of the situation rather than just the sound bite answer, but wasn't given an opportunity to say HOW he would immediately address the problems because his time was up, but I'm guessing it's get these people what they need NOW and we'll hammer out the specifics after their houses are heated. I think the Edwards plan might not address the 'emergency' aspect of the problem.

Anyway, Biden's got an extensive plan as well, and I'm sure the other candidates have theirs.

If Edwards's turns out to be the best plan, I'm confident that is the one that will get support from the Dems.

[Blackhatjack]

3. I agree Biden does not get the opportunity to explain his views, but he & Edwards are on same page..

Edwards has been on the forefront of addressing this issue for some time.

However, Edwards' promise to have the DOJ investigate the merger and consolidation of oil companies and their actions driving up prices HAS TO BE WELCOME NEWS at DU and among other progressive sites.

If we elect a President who will NOT investigate this Administration and their financial backers(ie. oil companies) then we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes of the past and nothing will really change.

[gateley]

8. During a Biden "meet and greet" video I saw, he was telling the people that

"we" are gathering evidence against this administration, so I doubt ANY of the candidates would not pursue this route. They'd BETTER pursue it!

Biden actually takes it a step further beyond the companies' duplicity, into how our presence in Iraq is the primary reason for the hike in pricing - BEFORE the oil companies get to engage in their despicable shenanigans. A broader understanding and perspective.

But I agree, they're on the same page and as I said, I have faith the other candidates are, too.

[Blackhatjack]

9. Now let's see which members of the MSM pick this up..... n/t

[saracat]

11. God Bless him. As always, he puts the people first!

[Nutmegger]

12. R&K! Edwards 2008!!

:thumbsup::kick:

[dkf]

14. Making things energy efficient yes...but blaming big oil is moronic

Has he ever heard of Peak Oil?

This plan tells me Edward's doesn't have a clue. George Bush is an idiot but at least he understands peak oil. Of course Bush's moronic plan was to invade Iraq.

Edwards should forget big oil and should create incentives to convert to solar and wind and look into better ways of producing hydrogen fuel cells. In fact, the higher the price of oil the better.

This is more than saving the poor...this is about saving ALL of us.

[Blackhatjack]

17. Edwards is doing EXACTLY what you accuse him of NOT DOING...

Edwards has been leading on the issue of investing in renewable energy.

Edwards has been pushing for conservation, imposition of a carbon tax, and protecting the Environment.

And sorry you cannot see the Oil Companies manipulating the price of oil by unilaterally making decisions that vary the supply of distilled oil products, but Edwards does --and it is the right thing to do.

[dkf]

23. I want the price of oil up up up.

That is the only way that alternatives will become economically viable.

Anyone that tries to trick the population into thinking that oil companies are the reason oil will be getting scarce is duplicitous and is perpetrating a hoax upon the people in my mind.

Have you ever read the peak oil stuff? Its DAMNED SCARY.

People need to wake up.

[Heywood J]

30. "I want the price of oil up up up."

And more money into the pockets of the Saudis Saudis Saudis... Must be great for you to have the cash to buy a Tesla Roadster, live next door to work, and not have neighbors that complain about that wind turbine you put up behind the house. Meanwhile, the rest of us aren't nearly so lucky. If that means having to drive a beater car to work to pay the bills and to heat the house at night, then so be it. Apparently your plan is to screw the poor, working poor, and remaining middle-class who can't afford for oil to go up like that or to replace their car, furnace, etc.

The thing people need to "wake up" to is that oil can be manufactured from organic waste, table scraps, scrap plastic, waste tires, etc. Maybe you should concentrate on better jobs and better wages in this country so that people can afford alternatives to the status quo, instead of being gleeful at the thought of bending them over and giving them the shaft.

[dkf]

33. The only way to prevent the Saudis from getting all the

money is to convert to alternative energy.

I wish people would do it voluntarily but I doubt they will. We can't even raise mileage standards. Get real.

[AzDar]

15. K & R...

:kick:

[creeksneakers2]

16. Good plan

Except the part about tapping the strategic oil reserve. The reserve is there in case of an interruption to our oil supplies. If its used to keep prices down it will run out.

[Blackhatjack]

19. There is a strong logical and strategic reason for doing this....

If you release 'some' of the oil presently stored in the strategic oil reserve during this limited time the short term result will be more supply and prices will go down. When you get through the winter months, the demand will ease as will prices and you can refill the strategic oil reserve at that time for less than the cost of the oil you released for the winter heating season.

At present there is no indication that supplies will be curtailed in the future, just that prices will float depending upon demand.

[mother earth]

18. Another reason why Edwards is my candidate of choice,

:loveya: :kick: K & R :yourock:

[asdjrocky]

20. Again, Edwards shows he's the candidate for the people.

If you work for a living, you must support John Edwards!

[Kurovski]

21. K&R. (nt)

[asdjrocky]

22. K&R

[CorpGovActivist]

24. Who Does Joe Kennedy Support, BHJ?

In some parts of the country, an endorsement from Joe Kennedy on heating oil is like the finger of God to the Commandment tablets: http://www.citizensenergy.com/main/Home.html

- Dave

[waiting for hope]

26. K&R for Edwards!

[surfermaw]

28. Run John Run

[Reno.Muse]

29. Good. K & R!

[mopinko]

32. this drives me nuts. john edwards talking like he has won

already. immediate relief? doj investigations? yoohoo, john, you aren't even a senator any more. it's fine with me if you want to lay out plans for "when" you are elected, but immediate relief? not unless you are going to dip into your fat bank account.
he does this all the time. too privileged in his own mind to remember that he holds no office. the guy is as phony as a three dollar bill if you ask me.

[gmudem]

34. Uhh...

Do you even know what the definition of a "plan" is? That post didn't make any sense.

[mopinko]

35. it is his use of the word immediate that galls me.

talking about a plan that you would enact, should you be elected, as though you were sending it to congress tomorrow sounds just delusional. i really can't stand the guy, anyway. any politician whose speeches are in direct opposition to his actions in office has no business in the white house.