Bringing down gas prices a must -- sort of

At least Republicans are slouching toward honesty:

Kennedy Admonishes Talks of Tariff-Cutting
Bringing Down Gas Prices a Must, but not at the Expense of our Farmers

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Mark Kennedy released the following statement today, reacting to President Bush and Republican Leadership's suggestion of reducing the tariff on imported ethanol.

"While it's important for the government to look at ways of reducing skyrocketing gas prices, temporarily suspending tariffs on imported ethanol isn't the answer," said Congressman Kennedy. "Suspending this tariff would do little to increase our supply of ethanol on the market right now and the minimal effect it would have on gas prices isn't worth punishing our farmers who lead the country toward energy independence."

"Instead of making ourselves more reliant on foreign sources of energy, we ought to be passing legislation that encourages innovation and reduces barriers holding back domestic renewable energy production," Kennedy added.

Kennedy has long been a supporter of expanding our domestic production of ethanol and other renewable energy sources. Last year, he introduced the Clean Alternatives for Energy Independence Act, H.R. 4623, with Congressman Mark Udall to redirect $2.5 billion in tax incentives away from big oil companies and instead dedicate them to doubling incentives for E-85 ethanol, hybrid and hydrogen vehicle production. He also supported the Energy Policy Act, which contained strong conservation and renewable energy sections to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

It is all about the farmers, isn’t it? Or more accurately the farm voting block. As a mere consumer, I guess I should be thankful that I am being gouged by “small agriculture” rather than “big oil.”

Energy independence? Is this the vision?

(Thanks to King Banaian for forwarding the Kennedy press release.)