Bush Does Right Thing by Lifting Ban on Offshore Drilling

July 17, 2008-- In a move that defines why President George W. Bush is one of the greatest American leaders in recent history, on Monday July 14, Bush lifted the presidential ban on offshore drilling. Bush's lifting of the ban puts pressure on Congress to lift its own ban on offshore drilling as well.

Whether or not you agree with offshore drilling, Bush's lifting of the ban should have won you over. Personally, I have never been more proud to have voted for President Bush than I was when I saw him speak on the matter. "Why?" you may ask. I'll tell you why. Bush did what he thought was right, despite the fact that he knew it would be controversial. In a video clip published by the Los Angeles Times, President Bush can be seen making what was obviously an uncomfortable public address. When Bush spoke after 9/11, he spoke with authority in a commanding tone. When he gave this speech, although his words did not indicate it, his body posture, facial expressions, and voice all screamed, "uncomfortable."

After having suffered through eight years of being lead by a draft-dodging adulterer who happened to be good looking and charismatic, it's refreshing to have a president who won his place in office with policy, not performance. It's refreshing to have a president who will do what he thinks is right, whether or not he will be chastised by the media for it.

In June, Bush urged members of Congress to repeal their ban on offshore drilling. He pledged to match their efforts by repealing his ban if they lifted theirs. After allowing Congress almost a month to make a move, Bush made the decision to set the example of a strong leader and do what he felt the nation needed to save its economy.

Bush has come under fire from left-winged environmentalists as a result of his actions, with many of them arguing that this is just a quick fix and that President Bush should be looking for a long-term solution. First of all, we need a quick fix. Oil prices spiked rapidly and we need something to help fix this problem before it becomes a disaster. Second, why didn't theses environmentalists ever put President Clinton under fire for failing to lead the nation towards alternative forms of energy. Clinton served as president for eight years with environmentalist Al Gore as his vice president. The Clinton-Gore tandem took office shortly after the first President Bush enacted the ban on offshore drilling, a ban Clinton renewed. Clinton, despite taking office in the midst of the United States publicly declaring its oil dependence on the Middle East, did nothing to develop alternative energy sources.

To be fair, President Bush probably should have been looking towards alternative energy sources seven years ago, but in his defense his presidency has taken place during some great times of national turmoil. Bush has had to lead this nation through the catastrophe that was 9/11 (and to anyone who hasn't noticed, we have not been attacked again) and the disaster that was Hurricane Katrina (a natural disaster that not only destroyed a city, but ate up building material supplies causing a spike in the market that lead to ridiculous housing inflation that ultimately caused the housing disaster that has brought us into recession). The greatest national crisis that Clinton had to deal with, on the other hand, was the stain on Monica Lewinsky's dress.

Some environmentalists are arguing that offshore drilling will not reduce fuel prices in the long or short term, but I suppose that is why they are environmentalists and not economists. In Economics 101 we all learned that increased supply always reduces price.

Also, what Bush's critics need to realize is that Bush's actions did not demand or initiate offshore drilling. Congress still must repeal its ban and then it will be up to the different states as to how they want to govern their shores. What Bush did was set an example; he did what leaders are supposed to do.

Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves, a move that was not popular with citizens south of the Mason-Dickson line. He fought to keep the country united, despite the fact that southern states wanted independence and many northerners thought that we should let them go. He did this, not because a popular vote told him that he should, but he did it because deep down he knew that it was the right thing for this country. Today is celebrated for it.

President Bush's approval rating continues to slide, but one thing is certain; he will continue to do what he believes is the right thing for this country, whether or not it makes him a marked man. One day, God willing, he too will be celebrated for his actions.