Blaming the Democratic Congress for $4 gas is ridiculous. Most of us know it’s the GOP which pushed back against higher mileage standards for years and that Democrats finally forced a change last year. And it was a Republican Congress and administration which reduced oversight on oil-price speculation, which many analysts say had a large impact on the price spike of crude.

Republicans have pushed back against renewable energy technologies for years, trusting instead for the market to control our destiny. John McCain missed eight votes this year alone for S.3335 that tries to extend investment tax credits for renewable technology (this counts as a “no” vote.) Once he was even in the Senate and wouldn’t leave his office to vote. Agent of change? I don’t think so.

The GOP has not been in touch with reality on this issue, choosing instead to spend its time and our money on ideological goals. There is not an infinite supply of oil in the ground. As 4 percent of the world’s population which consumes 25 percent of its oil, we have the most to lose by not moving away from petroleum. More offshore drilling will only have a tiny impact on supply, and only in 15 years.

Same with the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Our domestic supply peaked in 1970 and currently we import two-thirds of what we use.

We need smart people in Washington and we need them now.

Frank John

Brooklin