Once again the buck is passed: “Offshore oil drilling nears vote in House” (BDN, Sept. 17). I am frustrated and find it unbelievable that the two parties, once again, pull the old bait and switch. And even more unbelievable is that we are buying it. I cannot imagine that anyone would agree to drill offshore when we know that it will not affect those gas or heating oil prices everyone is complaining about.

As usual, both parties have been effective in moving away from the important issues, like a comprehensive energy plan where the goal would be to move away from fossil fuels and into renewable energy, regulations on speculations, raising fuel economies for our automakers so they can compete globally and also decreasing our dependence, invest in public transportation infrastructure, rebate and incentives to allow businesses and individuals to invest in renewable energy. Meanwhile Big Oil can drill on some of the 168,000 acres they lease from the government and the House can focus on the real issues.

We need to move forward as a nation and I cannot see that happening with our present government structure. It is a constant race to see how many people are on your side for the Tug of War Event; Democrats on one side, Republicans on the other, neither realizing the rope is frayed in the middle and that is where we sit, the American people.

Mia Strong

Sedgwick